Hearty Minestrone Soup Loaded with Veggies and Beans.

This hearty minestrone soup recipe is loaded with vegetables, two kinds of beans, small pasta and leafy greens in a savory tomato broth. It is healthy, low in calories and ready in about 45 minutes, so it is an easy meatless dinner any night of the week.

It's a must-make.

Here is why this minestrone soup is on repeat at my house:

• Loaded with veggies. Green beans, carrots, celery, zucchini, onion and greens in every bowl.
• Hearty and filling. Two kinds of beans and pasta make it a full meal.
• Easy to customize. Use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
• Healthy. Low in calories and packed with fiber and plant-based protein.

Let’s talk texture and flavor.

The broth is savory and tomato-forward with oregano, thyme and garlic. Tender vegetables, creamy white beans, hearty kidney beans and little pasta shells give every spoonful something to bite into, while the spinach and kale wilt right into the broth.

What you'll need.

Here is what you need for this classic minestrone soup:

• Extra virgin olive oil – for sautéing the vegetables.
• Onion – yellow, white or sweet onion all work.
• Fresh green beans – canned work if you do not have fresh.
• Celery, carrot and zucchini – the classic minestrone vegetables.
• Garlic – fresh or jarred minced garlic.
• Vegetable broth – regular or low-sodium.
• Crushed tomatoes – for the tomato base.
• Herbs and seasoning – fresh parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, kosher salt and black pepper.
• Beans – canned small white beans and kidney beans.
• Spinach and kale blend – or use all spinach or all kale.
• Small shell pasta – elbows or any small pasta work too.
• Parmesan – optional, for serving.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

Customize it your way.

Make this minestrone soup your own:

• Rice – use rice instead of pasta and add it at the same time.
• Potatoes or leeks – add diced potato or sliced leeks to make it extra hearty.
• More tomato – add diced tomatoes or tomato sauce for a stronger tomato flavor.
• Thicker broth – stir in a spoonful of tomato paste.
• Heat – add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• Brightness – finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Fresh basil – stir in chopped basil at the end.

Flexible dietary swaps.

Easy swaps to fit the way you eat:

• Vegan – skip the parmesan or use a plant-based parmesan.
• Gluten-free – use gluten-free pasta or rice.
• Lower sodium – use low-sodium broth and no-salt-added beans and tomatoes.

How to make minestrone soup.

This easy soup comes together in one pot:

How to serve it.

Serve it hot with a few easy extras:

• Top with freshly grated parmesan.
• Garnish with parsley, basil, green onion or chives.
• Pair with crusty bread or garlic breadsticks.
• Add a side salad with your favorite dressing.
• Make it flex – brown ½ pound of Italian sausage and stir it in with the beans for extra protein.

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