ITALIAN-STYLE VEGETABLE SOUP (MINESTRONE) WITH PARMESAN AND PASTA
Experience the comforting flavors of a traditional Italian vegetable soup inspired by my Italian auntβs recipe. Rich and hearty, this minestrone is more of a thick vegetable stew packed with fresh produce, tender pasta, and topped with fragrant Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a wholesome meal for any day, this recipe is versatile with plenty of room to add your favorite veggies like leek, cabbage, or green beans.
π Prep Time: 15 min
π³ Cook Time: 45 min
π° Servings: 5-6
π₯ Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 60 g bacon, diced (omit for vegan/vegetarian version)
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 50 g celery root, diced
- 150 g kohlrabi, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 250 ml tomato passata
- 70 g short pasta (fusilli)
- 1 small zucchini (200 g), sliced and quartered
- 100 g peas (fresh or frozen)
- 250 g potatoes, diced small
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 150 g canned beans, drained
- 1 celery stalk (with leaves)
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 sprig thyme
- 5 parsley stems
- 5 basil leaves
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
π©βπ³ Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot and sautΓ© diced bacon until lightly crispy.
- Add diced carrot, celery root, kohlrabi, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes until softened.
- Stir in crushed garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Pour in tomato passata and 4 cups of water. Add salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and celery stalks with leaves whole. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add peas, zucchini (with skin), canned beans, diced bell pepper, pasta, and potatoes.
Optional: add cauliflower florets at this stage for extra texture. - Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked. Remove and discard whole herbs. Adjust salt to taste.
- Stir in chopped basil and parsley. Turn off heat.
- Serve hot with grated Parmesan sprinkled on top and crusty ciabatta bread on the side.
π‘ Tips
- Use fresh seasonal vegetables for best flavor.
- For a vegan version, omit bacon and Parmesan; add a splash of olive oil before serving.
- If soup thickens too much, add more water or vegetable broth.
- Fresh herbs elevate the flavor β add some oregano or marjoram if available.
π Perfect For
- Hearty family dinners
- Comfort food on chilly days
- Meal prepping for the week
- Vegetable-packed wholesome lunches
π Final Thoughts
This Italian-style vegetable soup is a nourishing and satisfying dish that captures the essence of home cooking with fresh ingredients and traditional flavors. The addition of Parmesan cheese and pasta makes it a fulfilling meal that brings warmth and comfort to your table. Easy to customize, itβs a perfect recipe for anyone seeking delicious, wholesome food with a Mediterranean touch.