There is something so comforting about a big bowl of this Minestrone Recipe. It’s hearty, nourishing, and delicious. It also welcomes substitutions easily, encourages creativity, and works with whatever vegetables you’ve got hanging out in your fridge. The only absolute rule is that you must serve it with a massive piece of bread and butter. Deal?

Minestrone soup is a cornerstone of Italian cooking and you’ll find a version of it on menus everywhere. But don’t get it fooled. It’s nothing fancy really. At its heart, it’s a humble, zero waste soup. It was traditionally made using leftovers from previous meals and turning odds and ends into something delicious. I almost always have Homemade Tomato Sauce and Homemade Chicken Broth on hand, but store bought works too! Don’t stress about following it too strictly — that’s the beauty of minestrone.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Minestrone Recipe

Comforting: a big pot of this feels cozy, filling, and exactly what you want on a chilly day.
Flexible and forgiving: this is a true clean-out-the-fridge soup, so you can swap vegetables based on what you have.
Layered flavours: Italian sausage, herbs, and tomatoes simmer together to create a rich, slow-cooked taste.
Perfect for now and later: it reheats great, freezes well, and somehow tastes even better the next day.

🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make Minestrone Recipe

Olive oil: used to sauté the sausage and vegetables.
Small pasta: ditalini, pastina, elbow, or orzo all work well.
Italian sausage: chopped into bite-sized pieces, it adds deep, savoury flavour and makes the soup extra satisfying.
Garlic cloves: minced and gently sautéed.
Shallot or yellow onion: adds a subtle sweetness and depth.
Carrots: bring natural sweetness and colour while adding structure to each spoonful.
Celery: adds freshness and that essential savoury flavour.
Zucchini: softens as it cooks, adding a tender texture to the minestrone soup.
Green cabbage: makes the soup hearty and extra filling without being too heavy.
Russet potato: adds body and comfort, helping thicken the soup slightly as it cooks.

Dry white wine: used to deglaze the pot, adding brightness and depth to the base.
Crushed tomatoes: form the rich, tomato-forward base of the soup.
Chicken broth: creates a delicious foundation that ties all the ingredients together.
Mixed bean medley: a combination of chickpeas, cannellini, and romano beans for protein, creaminess, and texture.
Dried basil: adds classic Italian herb flavour throughout the broth.
Dried oregano: brings warmth and earthiness that complements the tomatoes.
Dried fennel: enhances the sausage flavour and adds subtle sweetness.

Chili flakes: provide gentle heat that can be adjusted to taste.
Salt and pepper: essential for seasoning the minestrone soup.
Pecorino Romano or Parmesan: grated over top for a salty, savoury finish that you definitely need!
Fresh basil: finely chopped and stirred in at the end or used as a garnish, it adds a burst of freshness and a bright finish.

✔ How To Make This Minestrone Recipe

Begin by prepping all of your ingredients. Start by removing the castings from the Italian sausage, roughly chop and set aside.

Next chop your garlic, shallot, carrot, celery, zucchini, cabbage, and potato. Set aside.
Bring a large pot to medium/high heat and add your olive oil. Once hot, add your italian sausage and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until they begin to brown. Add your shallot, carrots, celery and sauté for an additional 3 minutes, just until the veggies begin to soften. Next add your garlic and let sauté on medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Add your cabbage, potatoes, zucchini, and seasionings and let sauté on medium heat for about 1 minute. Deglaze with your white wine and let simmer until reduced by half. About 2 minutes. Add your tomatoes, chicken stock, and parmesan rind (if you have one on hand) and mix to combine.

🤝 Sammy’s Tip for Minestrone Soup

• Be sure to add a ¼ cup of water to the tomato jar or can, shake it, and pour into the soup, ensuring you get all contents out of the jar.
• Keep the pasta separate from the soup in case you have leftovers, as freezing the soup with the cooked pasta alters the flavour and texture of the soup.

Bring to a light boil for 5-7 minutes, to ensure the veggies get soft. Reduce to a simmer, cover and let cook for 30 minutes. Once veggies are soft, taste to see if you need any additional seasonings. Add your can of beans and let simmer for an additional 10 minutes, uncovered.

During the last 10 minutes of cook time, cook your pasta according to package instructions.
Drain and return back to the pot you cooked it in. Add a splash of olive oil to the pasta and mix. This will ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together.

To a serving bowl, add a large spoonful of cooked pasta and top with a few ladles of your minestrone. Garnish with tons of freshly grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy with some fresh bread.

🗒 Variations

Spice it up: Add extra chilli flakes or a pinch of cayenne for a little kick.
Vegetarian: Skip the Italian sausage and use vegetable broth.
Extra greens: Stir in spinach, kale, or Swiss chard during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Pasta swap: Use gluten-free pasta or skip it altogether and add extra beans or potatoes instead.

🗒 Substitutions

Beans: Any combination works — cannellini, chickpeas, borlotti, navy beans, or even lentils.
Sausage: Use turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or leave it out completely.
Potatoes: Yukon Gold works as well if you don’t have russet.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

If you have leftover minestrone soup, store it without the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4–5 days. For longer storage, freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. When reheating, warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed. Cook fresh pasta separately and add just before serving, then finish with lots of grated cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.

🤔 FAQ’S

👩‍🍳 Hungry For More?

If you loved this Minestrone recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other soup recipes you may also love:

• Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
• Potato and Leek Soup
• Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
• Buffalo Chicken Soup
• Sausage Tortellini Soup
• Dill Pickle Soup
• Chicken Pot Pie Soup

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this minestrone recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.