Spring Minestrone (Printable Version)

Bright Italian minestrone with peas, zucchini, green beans, pasta and fresh herbs.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
08 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves
09 - 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

→ Broth

10 - 6 cups vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
11 - 1 bay leaf

→ Pasta & Seasoning

12 - 3/4 cup small pasta shapes (e.g., ditalini, orzo, small shells)
13 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
14 - 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
15 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Fresh basil leaves
18 - Extra olive oil for drizzling

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
03 - Add zucchini, green beans, and peas. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
05 - Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8–10 minutes, until al dente.
06 - In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the spinach and parsley. Stir until spinach is wilted.
07 - Season with salt and pepper. Remove bay leaf.
08 - Ladle into bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It’s like bottling up the feeling of a sunny farmer’s market and bringing it to the table.
  • No two pots ever taste the same, because you can play with whatever vegetables are freshest and brightest.
02 -
  • If you add the spinach too soon, it will lose its color and look sad—wait until the very end.
  • I used to overcook the pasta in the soup and wound up with mushy leftovers, so now I always keep a close eye and even cook pasta separately for batch cooking.
03 -
  • Let the soup rest for ten minutes off heat; the flavors meld and deepen beautifully.
  • If you plan to make enough for leftovers, cook the pasta separately and add it when reheating, so it stays pleasantly firm.
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