Fresh Minestrone Magic: Ina Garten’s Sunny Summer Recipe

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that cool and comfort, and this Ina Garten summer minestrone soup recipe delivers pure satisfaction.

Vibrant vegetables dance together in a delightful medley of flavors and textures.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soup that sings with seasonal goodness.

Each spoonful brings a burst of garden-fresh vegetables and hearty Italian-inspired warmth.

The recipe captures the essence of summer bounty with its colorful and nutritious mix.

Simmering with aromatic herbs and robust vegetables, this soup turns a simple meal into a culinary experience.

You’ll love how easily this soup comes together, making it perfect for lazy summer afternoons or quick weeknight dinners.

Keeping Summer Minestrone Soup Fresh

• Batch Cook with Confidence: Prepare a large pot of this soup and enjoy multiple meals throughout the week. Store portions in airtight containers for quick, delicious lunches or dinners.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a comforting meal is always ready when you need it.
• Refrigerator Revival Tricks: Stored soup stays fresh for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of chicken stock to restore the original consistency and brighten up the flavors.
• Smart Ingredient Separation: Keep fresh herbs and cheese garnishes separate from the main soup when storing. Add these crisp toppings just before serving to maintain their texture and vibrant taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 6

What to Gather for Summer Minestrone Soup

• Onion: Provides a sweet, aromatic foundation that builds depth of flavor and adds natural sweetness to the soup..
• Leeks: Offer a mild, elegant onion-like taste with a subtle, delicate texture that enhances the soup's complexity..
• Celery: Brings a fresh, crisp element and earthy undertone that contributes to the soup's balanced profile..
• Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and a slightly tangy, sweet crunch to the vegetable mix..
• Garlic: Infuses intense, pungent flavor and provides robust aromatic notes that elevate the entire dish..

• White Beans: Create a creamy, protein-rich base that adds substance and satisfying texture to the soup..
• Chicken Stock: Delivers a rich, savory liquid foundation that intensifies the overall taste and provides essential cooking liquid..

• Zucchini: Introduces a mild, tender vegetable that absorbs surrounding flavors and adds a soft, delicate texture..
• Green Beans: Contribute a crisp, bright green element with a fresh, slightly sweet flavor profile..
• Tomatoes: Bring a tangy, acidic component that balances the soup and adds natural richness..

• Bay Leaf: Releases a subtle, earthy aroma that enhances the overall depth of the soup..
• Thyme: Offers a delicate, slightly minty herbal note that complements the vegetables..
• Fresh Basil: Provides a bright, aromatic finish with its distinctive sweet and peppery flavor..
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty,.

Tools for Cooking Summer Minestrone Soup

• Large pot: Heavy-bottomed and spacious for sautéing and simmering soup ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for dicing onions, leeks, celery, and bell peppers precisely.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables safely.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and sautéing vegetables without scratching the pot.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning with salt and herbs.
• Measuring cup: Helps measure chicken stock accurately.
• Grater: For creating fresh Parmesan cheese topping.
• Ladle: Ideal for serving the soup into bowls.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Summer Minestrone Soup

• Kitchen Setup Fresh Vegetables and Aromatic Start

Grab a large pot and warm some olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in chopped onions, leeks, celery, and bell peppers. Let these colorful ingredients dance and soften for about 10 minutes, releasing their sweet flavors. Sprinkle in minced garlic and let its fragrance fill your kitchen.

• Liquid Gold and Herbal Magic

Pour in chicken stock and introduce bay leaf and thyme. These herbs will transform your soup into a comforting symphony. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, allowing flavors to mingle and marry.

• Vegetable Party

Add zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and white beans to the pot. Watch as your soup transforms into a vibrant, hearty masterpiece. Let everything simmer softly, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Final Touches

Cook until pasta and vegetables reach perfect tenderness. Remove the bay leaf, letting the remaining ingredients shine. Top with delicate fresh basil ribbons and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for that final gourmet flourish.

Creative Variations for Summer Minestrone Soup

• Swap out seasonal vegetables like carrots, peas, or squash to match what's fresh at your local farmers market or growing in your garden.
• Transform this soup into a heartier meal by adding cooked shredded chicken, Italian sausage, or diced pancetta for extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and skip the Parmesan to create a completely plant-based version that's equally delicious.
• Cook pasta separately and add to individual bowls to prevent overcooking and maintain the ideal al dente consistency, especially if you plan to have leftovers.
• Stir in a splash of white wine while sautéing vegetables or add a parmesan rind during simmering to create a more complex, rich taste profile.

Best Ways to Serve Summer Minestrone Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, toasted slice of rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch to each spoonful.
• Create a Complete Meal: Transform this soup into a hearty dinner by adding a simple side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette for a fresh contrast.
• Customize with Toppings: Let diners personalize their soup with extra grated Parmesan, a drizzle of good olive oil, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for added heat and excitement.
• Make It a Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare the soup in a large pot for family gatherings or dinner parties, allowing guests to serve themselves and enjoy the vibrant, seasonal flavors together.

Hearty Ina Garten Summer Minestrone Soup Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer minestrone soup delivers a refreshing Italian classic with garden-fresh vegetables and hearty pasta. Home cooks can savor this comforting dish, blending seasonal ingredients for a delightful meal that welcomes summer’s bounty.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken stock
• 2 cups large diced zucchini
• 1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
• ½ cup diced onion (about ½ onion)
• ½ cup sliced leek, white and light green parts only
• ½ cup diced celery (about 1 celery rib)
• ½ cup cooked small white beans
• ½ cup dry ditalini pasta
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper (about ¼ bell pepper)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• Fresh basil, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sizzle onions, leeks, celery, and bell peppers until they begin to soften and release their aromatic essence, developing a rich flavor foundation.
2. Aromatics Infusion: Reduce heat to medium, introducing minced garlic and cooking briefly. Integrate bay leaf, thyme sprigs, salt, and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a gentle, rolling simmer that awakens the herbs’ complex flavors.
3. Vegetable Incorporation: Cascade zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and white beans into the simmering liquid. Add uncooked pasta, allowing each ingredient to mingle and develop a harmonious texture and taste profile.
4. Gentle Cooking: Lower heat, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. This process ensures pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency while vegetables become tender and flavors intensify.
5. Finishing Touch: Remove bay leaf and finalize the soup with an elegant garnish of fresh basil ribbons. Optional Parmesan cheese sprinkle adds a luxurious, savory dimension to the vibrant summer minestrone.

Notes

• Sauté Secret: Develop deep flavor foundations by softening vegetables slowly, allowing natural sugars to caramelize and create a rich aromatic base.
• Timing Technique: Monitor pasta cooking carefully to prevent overcooking; al dente texture is crucial for maintaining structural integrity in the soup.
• Herb Harmony: Fresh thyme and basil elevate the soup’s complexity, providing bright, herbaceous undertones that complement the robust vegetable medley.
• Cheese Charm: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, umami dimension, creating a luxurious finish that enhances the soup’s overall depth and richness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 0mg