Cozy Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe: A Heartwarming Bowl of Joy

Cold days call for hearty winter minestrone soup that warms your soul from the inside out.

Crisp vegetables and rich broth create a comforting symphony of flavors.

Loaded with seasonal ingredients, this recipe brings Italian countryside charm to your kitchen.

Nourishing and deeply satisfying, each spoonful tells a story of rustic cooking traditions.

Robust beans and tender vegetables mingle in a savory embrace.

Fragrant herbs dance through the broth, promising a meal that feels like a warm hug.

You’ll want to ladle this soup into deep bowls and savor every delicious moment.

Why Winter Minestrone Warms From Within

• Warm Up Winter Comfort: This hearty soup wraps you in cozy warmth during chilly months, delivering rich flavors and nourishing ingredients that chase away the cold with every spoonful.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: Prep and cook comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy families seeking a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutrient-Packed Veggie Powerhouse: Loaded with diverse vegetables like zucchini, sweet potato, kale, and beans, this soup provides a balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, and protein in one delicious bowl.
• Customizable Kitchen Creativity: Swap ingredients based on what's in your pantry, making it a flexible recipe that adapts to your preferences and available produce.

Heartwarming Ingredients for a Hearty Soup

• Onion: Aromatic foundation for the soup's flavor profile, adds depth and sweetness..
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor base, enhances overall taste..
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to the soup..
• Celery: Contributes a subtle, fresh flavor and additional vegetable complexity..

• Zucchini: Adds tender texture and mild vegetable character to the soup..
• Sweet Potato: Provides creamy texture and natural sweetness, creates heartiness..

• Diced Tomatoes: Offers tangy flavor and creates a rich, robust soup base..
• Broth: Provides essential liquid and depth of flavor for the soup..
• Oregano: Classic Italian herb that adds earthy and slightly peppery notes..
• Basil: Brings fresh, aromatic herb flavor typical in Italian cuisine..
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall taste..
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and warmth to the soup..

• Cannellini Beans: Creamy white beans that add protein and smooth texture..
• Pasta: Provides additional substance and traditional minestrone character..
• Kale or Swiss Chard: Introduces nutrient-rich greens, adds color and freshness..

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, salty flavor and creamy texture when served..
• Fresh Herbs: Bright, fresh garnish that enhances the soup's aroma..
• Crusty Bread: Perfect accompaniment for.

Instructions for a Flavorful Cold-Weather Classic

Step 1: Awaken the Aromatic Base

• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté these veggie companions for about 5-7 minutes, coaxing out their rich, warm flavors until they soften and become translucent.

Step 2: Build the Hearty Foundation

• Zucchini
• Sweet potato
• Diced tomatoes
• Vegetable or chicken broth
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then dial down the heat. Let the soup simmer gently, allowing the vegetables to become tender and meld their flavors, approximately 20 minutes.

Step 3: Welcome Protein and Comfort

• Cannellini beans
• Pasta (such as small shells or elbow macaroni)

Let the ingredients dance together for 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.

Step 4: Green Finale

• Chopped kale
• Swiss chard

Simmer for an additional 2 minutes, letting the greens wilt and infuse the soup with their nutrient-packed goodness.

Step 5: Serve with Celebration

• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh herbs
• Slice of crusty bread on the side

Enjoy the warmth and comfort of this winter minestrone masterpiece!

Tips for Thickening and Seasoning Right

• Veggie Prep Power: Chop vegetables uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Bean Boost: Rinse canned cannellini beans thoroughly to reduce sodium and remove excess starch for a cleaner flavor profile.
• Pasta Perfection: Add pasta towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain ideal al dente texture.
• Green Goodness: Briefly wilt kale or Swiss chard to preserve nutrients and vibrant color without making them mushy.
• Flavor Enhancement: Consider using homemade vegetable broth for deeper, richer taste that elevates the entire soup's complexity.

Storing Soup for Cozy Meals Later

• Refrigerate leftover winter minestrone soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Cool the soup completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Separate the soup into portion-sized containers for easy reheating and grab-and-go meals.
• When ready to enjoy, gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick after refrigeration.
• Avoid freezing this soup with pasta, as noodles tend to become mushy when thawed.
• If you want to freeze, prepare the soup without pasta and add fresh noodles when reheating.
• Consume refrigerated soup within 3-4 days for the best flavor and texture.
• Always check for any signs of spoilage before reheating and discard if unusual odors or mold appear.

Best Bread and Pairings to Match

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the soup's hearty vegetable flavors and cuts through its richness.
• Serve with Crusty Artisan Bread: Grab a warm, crusty sourdough or rustic Italian bread to soak up the flavorful broth and add delightful texture to each bite.
• Match with Sharp Pecorino Cheese: Sprinkle extra Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan for a tangier, saltier finish that elevates the soup's complex vegetable profile.
• Complement with Crisp White Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the soup's warmth and add a fresh, zesty counterpoint to the hearty dish.

Winter Minestrone Add-Ins You’ll Love

• Mediterranean Minestrone: Swap sweet potato with eggplant and add kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version. Sprinkle feta cheese on top instead of Parmesan for extra Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Mexican Soup: Replace oregano and basil with cumin and chili powder. Add corn kernels and top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with crispy tortilla strips for crunch.
• Protein-Packed Option: Include diced chicken or ground turkey during the vegetable sauteing stage. Use quinoa instead of pasta to boost protein content and make the soup more nutritionally dense.
• Vegan Winter Soup: Substitute cannellini beans with red kidney beans. Add nutritional yeast for depth of flavor. Include roasted mushrooms to create a rich, hearty texture that mimics meat-based soups.

Top Questions for Soup Season Answered

• What makes this Winter Minestrone Soup special?

This soup is packed with hearty winter vegetables like sweet potato, zucchini, and kale, creating a nutritious and warming meal that’s perfect for cold days. The combination of beans and pasta makes it super filling and satisfying.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! The recipe is naturally vegetarian, and to make it vegan, simply skip the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative when serving.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Yes! Winter Minestrone Soup stores wonderfully in the refrigerator and often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. Just be careful not to overcook the pasta when reheating.

• How can I add more protein to this soup?

You can easily boost protein by adding cooked chicken, ground turkey, or even plant-based protein like quinoa. The cannellini beans already provide a good protein base, but extra protein can make the soup even more substantial.

Winter Minestrone Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty winter minestrone soup brings warmth to chilly evenings with its rich blend of vegetables, beans, and aromatic herbs. Comfort flows through each spoonful, inviting you to savor Italian-inspired comfort during cold months.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 small sweet potato, diced
• 2 cups kale or Swiss chard, chopped

Protein and Base:

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth
• ½ cup (60 grams) small pasta (ditalini or elbow)

Canned Goods and Seasonings:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Garnish:

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil or parsley
• Crusty bread

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a robust cooking vessel and warm olive oil over medium heat, creating a fragrant base for the winter minestrone.
2. Introduce aromatic vegetables including onions, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot, gently sautéing until they soften and release their essential flavors, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Incorporate zucchini, sweet potato, diced tomatoes, broth, and a medley of herbs and spices – oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes – allowing the ingredients to meld together.
4. Elevate the temperature to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, letting the vegetables tenderize and develop deep, rich flavors for about 20 minutes.
5. Carefully fold in cannellini beans and pasta, continuing to cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture.
6. Introduce robust greens like kale or Swiss chard, allowing them to wilt gracefully into the soup for an additional 2 minutes, adding a final layer of nutritional complexity.
7. Transfer the steaming minestrone into serving bowls, crowning each portion with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, delicate herbs, and accompanying crusty bread for a complete winter comfort meal.

Notes

• Choose sturdy vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes that hold their shape during long cooking, preventing mushy texture.
• Swap cannellini beans with chickpeas or kidney beans for different protein variations and exciting flavor profiles.
• Add depth by sautéing vegetables longer until slightly caramelized, which intensifies their natural sweetness and creates a richer soup base.
• Keep pasta al dente by adding it later in the cooking process, preventing overcooking and maintaining perfect texture throughout the soup.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg