Name: Authentic Italian Minestrone Soup Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 24
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of olive oil; 1/2 cup of small diced pancetta bacon; 2 peeled and small diced yellow onions; 4 finely minced cloves of garlic; 2 thinly sliced leeks; 4 medium diced stalks of celery; 4 peeled and sliced carrots; 1 peeled and medium diced turnip; 1 peeled and medium diced parsnip; ½ small diced bulb of fennel (core removed); 3 peeled and large diced russet potatoes; 28 ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes in juice; 3 15- ounce cans of drained cannellini beans; 128 ounces of chicken stock; 3 parmesan cheese rinds; 2 cups of peas; juice of 1 lemon; 2 pounds of cooked and cooled ditalini pasta; sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste; garnish with parmesan cheese (oregano and rosemary)

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This delicious authentic Italian minestrone soup recipe is loaded with vegetables, beans, kale and ditalini pasta for the perfect soup recipe.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Franke Kitchen Systems. The opinions and text are all mine.

There is nothing more comforting then a huge pot of soup and this authentic Italian minestrone soup recipe doesn’t disappoint. If you are like me and need a break from all the holiday sweets, then break out your biggest pot because you know I’m feeding an army with this minestrone soup recipe.

WHAT IS MINESTRONE SOUP

Minestrone soup is a soup that originated in Italy and is made up of vegetables and pasta or rice. It’s an incredibly simple soup and in traditional original fashion, it came from what was available.

I would argue that this soup is one of the first real soups in the world as it has been dated back to 30 ad. The broth in minestrone soup was classically just a bean broth but has now transformed into chicken or a meat bse.

CHEF NOTE: This soup is subject to change based on what you have and what’s in season. This recipe may look completely different in the summer since things like zucchini and squash peak in that season.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGETABLE AND MINESTRONE SOUP

Vegetable soup is simply a soup that uses vegetables as a base while minestrone soup can be the base for many Italian style vegetable soups. For example you can use it as a base and add beef, chicken or pork to the soup to completely change up the flavor profile.

CHEF NOTE: Italian minestrone soup can also use things like farro or cous cous as the grain or pasta in the soup.

WHAT GOES WITH IT

Minestrone soup usually has a few garnishes on top such as croutons and fresh herbs. However you can serve up this soup with the following:

Cheesy bread
Garlic bread
Kamut bread with biga
French boule with poolish
Bread sticks
Baked potato

CHEF NOTE: Don’t be limited by this list, feel free to get creative with how and what to serve it with.

HOW TO PREPARE THE SOUP

When preparing minestrone soup, it’s really just all about the vegetables. Ever since I got my Franke Chef Center, it has made preparing food so easy and clean. From the colander that makes it easy to spray off the vegetables for soup to the composting bucket to collect the peelings, this sink is top notch.

washing vegetables for a minestrone soup

peeling a carrot into a franke chefcenter

I also like that I can slice and dice everything I need for the minestrone soup by simply using the cutting board accessory for the Chef Center and then when I’m done I hose everything off. BOOM, done! Once your vegetables are all cleaned, peeled and diced up, it’s time to cook up this minestrone soup recipe.

HOW TO MAKE IT

STEP 1: Add some olive oil to a large pot over medium heat and cook some pancetta, about 4 to 6 minutes.

STEP 2: Once the pancetta is cooked set to the side and add the vegetables to the pot and sauté in the rendered pancetta fat.

STEP 3: After the vegetables have a light brown on them, about 5 to 7 minutes, add in the potatoes, beans, tomatoes, parmesan cheese rinds and stock.

- CHEF NOTE: The cheese rind is a necessity, it will add some delicious umami flavors to the soup.

STEP 4: Simmer the vegetables on low for 30 minutes.

STEP 6: Finish the soup with peas, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

STEP 7: Boil your ditalini pasta. Strain and cool.

HOW TO SERVE MINESTRONE SOUP

I like to serve up minestrone soup with lots of parmesan cheese, some sliced kale and some fresh herbs. If you just saw kale and are thinking now way, you can absolutely swap it out for spinach.

In addition, if you aren’t a fan of the fresh herbs in the soup you can absolutely do without, no problem.

MORE SOUP RECIPES

I know you will love this authentic Italian minestrone soup recipe and because of that, here are some more of my faves!

Ribollita Soup Recipe
Texas Style Chili with Slow Cooked Brisket
Classic French Onion Soup
Zuppa Toscana Recipe
Verde Pork Posole Recipe
Creamy Chicken Dumpling Soup
Buffalo Chicken Soup Recipe – From Wholesome Yum

Yeah, can you tell I love soup?! Oh and just a warning this recipe makes a ton so feel free to cut down.

REHEATING: To reheat the soup simply add your desired portion to a small sauce pot and heat over low heat until hot. You can also simply add your desired portion to microwave safe bowl and heat for 2:30 stirring after 1:15.

STORING AND FREEZING MINESTRONE: Minestrone soup will hold well in the refrigerator covered up for up to 5 days. It will also freeze well covered for up to 3 months. Simply pull it out as you need it and reheat following the directions above.

*If you really like this authentic Minestrone soup then my Mulligatawny soup recipe is a must try, and be sure to leave a comment below and a rating if you’ve had the chance to make it.*

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4.84 from 6 votes