Soup Recipes

Heart Healthy Soup Recipes – Classic Minestrone Soup

I love a bowl of minestrone soup when the weather cools. The steam rises, the spoon warms my hands, and the flavor feels both hearty and light. This minestrone soup recipe healthy is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it the kind of dish that hits the sweet spot between comfort and nutrition. When I think of soups recipes that I come back to over and over, this one always makes the list. It’s colorful, it’s simple, and it feels like you’re doing something kind for your body without giving up on taste. It belongs in the family of healthy soup recipes that never let you down. If you’re looking for Healthy Soup Recipes that are easy to prepare, filling enough for dinner, and even better the next day, this soup deserves a spot in your kitchen. It’s one of those soup recipes that works in any season, and I promise, once you try it, you’ll want to keep it on repeat.

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Table of Contents

  • 1) Key Takeaways
  • 2) Easy Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe
  • 3) Ingredients for Classic Minestrone Soup
  • 4) How to Make Classic Minestrone Soup
  • 5) Tips for Making Classic Minestrone Soup
  • 6) Making Classic Minestrone Soup Ahead of Time
  • 7) Storing Leftover Classic Minestrone Soup
  • 8) Try these soups next!
  • 9) Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe
  • 10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

  • This minestrone soup is hearty yet light, perfect for cozy nights or busy weekdays.
  • It belongs to heart healthy soup recipes packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta.
  • The flavors deepen if you let it sit overnight, making it great for meal prep.
  • You can easily adjust the veggies based on what’s in season or in your fridge.

2) Easy Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe

When I want something that warms me from the inside out, I turn to this easy minestrone. The broth carries a depth that feels like it has simmered for hours, even when I whip it up on a weeknight. This is one of those heart healthy soup recipes that proves comfort food doesn’t need to weigh you down.

I’ve made many soups recipes over the years, but this one never lets me down. The fresh vegetables soften just enough, the beans bring a creamy bite, and the pasta rounds out the bowl into a meal. If you’ve been searching for a minestrone soup recipe healthy enough for everyday yet still satisfying, this is the one.

Think of it as a soup that plays well with change. Swap zucchini for squash or toss in spinach instead of kale. Soup recipes should feel flexible, and this one adapts to whatever you have on hand.

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3) Ingredients for Classic Minestrone Soup

Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons coat the pot and help the onions, carrots, and celery soften into a fragrant base. That aroma alone signals comfort.

Onion: One diced onion brings sweetness that balances the acidity of tomatoes. Cook it slowly for best flavor.

Carrots: Two diced carrots add natural sweetness and color. They soften into tender bites after simmering.

Celery: Two stalks diced add freshness and a bit of crunch before they soften. They build flavor with onion and carrot.

Garlic: Three cloves, minced, release their sharp edge into the oil. Garlic sets the stage for everything that follows.

Zucchini: One chopped zucchini soaks up broth and adds texture. It’s mild yet holds its own with beans and pasta.

Potato: A diced potato gives body to the soup. It thickens as it cooks and makes each spoonful satisfying.

Green Beans: One cup trimmed and cut green beans keep their snap while adding freshness and color.

Chopped Tomatoes: A can of tomatoes adds acidity and richness. They form the backbone of the broth.

Vegetable Broth: Six cups provide the base, holding all the vegetables together in harmony.

Cannellini Beans: A can of beans, rinsed, adds creaminess and protein. They make the soup filling without heaviness.

Pasta: One cup of small shells or ditalini gives the soup a hearty bite. Pasta makes it feel like a meal.

Oregano and Basil: Dried herbs bring warmth and familiar Italian comfort. They tie everything together.

Salt and Pepper: Simple seasoning that sharpens and balances flavors.

Parsley: Fresh parsley scattered on top brightens each serving.

Parmesan Cheese: A final garnish if you want a salty, nutty finish. Optional but delightful.

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4) How to Make Classic Minestrone Soup

Step 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, letting their scent fill the kitchen.

Step 2. Stir in garlic, zucchini, and potato. Cook for five minutes, stirring often to keep them from sticking.

Step 3. Add green beans, chopped tomatoes, and broth. Bring the mixture to a steady boil.

Step 4. Lower the heat and let it simmer for twenty minutes until vegetables soften.

Step 5. Stir in beans, pasta, oregano, and basil. Let the pasta cook to al dente, soaking up the broth.

Step 6. Taste the broth, then season with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls, top with parsley and parmesan, and enjoy.

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5) Tips for Making Classic Minestrone Soup

Use what’s in your fridge. Minestrone welcomes almost any vegetable. Spinach, kale, or cabbage fit right in, while squash or peas can step in for zucchini or beans.

Cook pasta in the soup for flavor, but if you expect leftovers, boil pasta separately. Pasta keeps soaking up broth and may swell overnight.

Let the soup rest a bit before serving. Flavors deepen, and each spoonful tastes more balanced. Healthy soup recipes like this one benefit from time.

6) Making Classic Minestrone Soup Ahead of Time

I often cook this soup in the morning and reheat it for dinner. It only gets better as the flavors rest. That makes it perfect for busy days when I don’t want to start from scratch in the evening.

If you plan to serve it the next day, you can cook everything except the pasta. Add pasta when you reheat so it keeps its bite. That way, the soup tastes fresh even after resting overnight.

Heart healthy soup recipes like this one make planning easier. I like knowing I have a pot ready, waiting, and still delicious the next day.

7) Storing Leftover Classic Minestrone Soup

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat on the stove for best flavor. The broth thickens a bit after sitting, which makes it richer.

If you’d like to keep soup longer, freeze it without pasta. Add cooked pasta when reheating. This keeps the texture right and avoids mushy noodles.

Soups recipes often hold up well in the freezer, and this one is no exception. It’s nice to have a few portions tucked away for nights when cooking feels impossible.

8) Try these soups next!

9) Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe

Heart Healthy Soup Recipes – Classic Minestrone Soup

I love a bowl of minestrone soup when the weather cools. The steam rises, the spoon warms my hands, and the flavor feels both hearty and light. This minestrone soup recipe healthy is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it the kind of dish that hits the sweet spot between comfort and nutrition. When I think of soups recipes that I come back to over and over, this one always makes the list. It’s colorful, it’s simple, and it feels like you’re doing something kind for your body without giving up on taste. It belongs in the family of healthy soup recipes that never let you down. If you’re looking for Healthy Soup Recipes that are easy to prepare, filling enough for dinner, and even better the next day, this soup deserves a spot in your kitchen. It’s one of those soup recipes that works in any season, and I promise, once you try it, you’ll want to keep it on repeat.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: healthy soup recipes, Heart Healthy Soup Recipes, minestrone soup recipe healthy, Soup Recipes, Soups Recipes
Servings: 6 servings
Author: Nancy

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 potato, diced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut
  • 1 can (14 oz) chopped tomatoes
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup small pasta shells
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish
  • Grated parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened.
  2. Stir in garlic, zucchini, and potato. Cook for another 5 minutes.
  3. Add green beans, chopped tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
  5. Stir in cannellini beans, pasta, oregano, and basil. Cook until pasta is al dente.
  6. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh parsley and parmesan if desired.

10) Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl, Calories: 210, Sugar: 6 g, Sodium: 890 mg, Fat: 7 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Fiber: 6 g, Protein: 8 g

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