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Close-up of a spoonful of chunky vegetable minestrone with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and crusty bread.
TahaCooks Editor

Classic Minestrone Soup

Skip the watery, bland vegetable soups of the past. JLondon Minestrone is a chunky, "London-cafe-style" bowl that’s actually a full meal. Built on a rich, herb-heavy tomato base, it’s packed with garden veggies, creamy beans, and tender pasta that soaks up every bit of flavor. It’s vibrant, unfussy, and designed for those gray days when you need something honest and filling. Whether you're serving it with a crusty loaf of bread or saving it for an even better lunch tomorrow, it’s pure, garden-fresh comfort in a pot.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 People
Course: Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: British, Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil Extra virgin preferred for better flavor.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Diced
  • 2 large Carrots Peeled and sliced into rounds or half-moons.
  • 2 stalks Celery Chopped
  • 1 medium Zucchini Quartered and sliced.
  • 1 large Russet Potato Peeled and cut into small cubes.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced.
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste To be sautéed until dark red.
  • 1 can (15 oz) Diced Tomatoes Do not drain; use the juices.
  • 6 cups Vegetable Broth Low-sodium allows you to control the salt.
  • 1 can (15 oz) Cannellini Beans Rinsed and drained thoroughly.
  • 1 cup Ditalini or Small Shells Uncooked pasta.
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano Or an Italian seasoning blend.
  • 1 piece Parmesan Rind Optional, but highly recommended for depth.
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach Roughly chopped; added at the very end.
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice A final squeeze to brighten the flavors.
  • _ _ Salt & Black Pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch Oven or Stockpot A heavy-bottomed pot is best to prevent the veggies from burning.
  • 1 Chef's Knife For all that rough, rustic chopping.
  • 1 Large Wooden Spoon Perfect for scraping up the flavorful bits (fond) from the bottom.
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler For the carrots and potatoes.
  • 1 Colander Essential for rinsing the canned beans and draining pasta.
  • 1 Soup Ladle For serving those big, chunky portions.

Method
 

  1. auté the Base
    Heat the olive oil in your pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 8 minutes until the onions are translucent and the veggies soften.
  2. Build the Flavor
    Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the tomato paste turns a deep, rusty red and smells slightly toasted.
  3. Simmer the Garden
    Add the potatoes, zucchini, diced tomatoes (with juice), broth, and oregano. If you have a Parmesan rind, toss it in now. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
  4. Add Pasta & Beans
    Stir in the rinsed beans and the dry pasta. Continue to simmer for about 10–12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the potatoes are soft.
  5. The Finish
    Turn off the heat. Remove the Parmesan rind. Stir in the fresh spinach and lemon juice—the heat of the soup will wilt the spinach in seconds.
  6. Serve
    Taste and add salt or extra black pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with plenty of grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Serving & Presentation

  • The Bowl: Serve in deep, rustic ceramic bowls. This is a "London-cafe" style soup, so the chunkier and more crowded the bowl looks, the better.
  • The Garnish: Top with a generous "snowdrift" of freshly grated Parmesan or Grana Padano. Add a heavy crack of black pepper and a tiny drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to make the surface glisten.
  • The Herb Pop: If you have fresh parsley or basil, finely chop it and sprinkle it on at the absolute last second. The bright green against the deep red broth makes the dish look fresh and professional.
  • The Sidekick: This soup is practically designed for crusty sourdough or a toasted baguette. Serve the bread on the side for mopping up the savory broth at the bottom of the bowl.
  • The "Pro" Touch: For a true gourmet presentation, place a small dollop of basil pesto right in the center of the bowl just before carrying it to the table.