Easy Joy of Cooking Minestrone Soup Recipe That Warms the Soul

Joy of Cooking’s minestrone soup represents a hearty culinary adventure that warms both body and soul.

Italian-inspired comfort food brings robust flavors to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Seasonal vegetables dance alongside tender beans and aromatic herbs in this classic one-pot wonder.

Rich, satisfying ingredients create a nutritious meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully selected component, promising depth and complexity.

Homemade soups connect us to traditional cooking methods passed down through generations.

Families gather around steaming bowls, sharing stories and savoring every delicious spoonful: prepare to transform your dinner into a memorable experience.

What Makes Minestrone Soup Recipe Special

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This minestrone soup wraps you in warmth with its rich, satisfying blend of sausage, vegetables, and beans that feels like a cozy hug in a bowl.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Warrior: Whip up this delicious soup in just about an hour, making it perfect for busy families wanting a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutrition-Packed Flavor Explosion: Packed with kale, carrots, celery, and protein-rich beans, this soup delivers a powerhouse of nutrients and robust Italian-inspired flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Versatile Seasonal Delight: Adaptable to different seasons and ingredients, this soup lets you customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it a flexible and forgiving recipe for home cooks.

What’s In Minestrone Soup Recipe

• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth base for sautéing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Italian Sausage: Adds deep, meaty flavor and protein to the soup.

• Carrots, Celery, Kale: Classic soup vegetables that provide texture, nutrition, and earthy flavors.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Italian flavor profile.

• Rosemary, Basil, Italian Parsley: Fresh herbs that bring bright, authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall soup seasoning.

• Tomatoes: Provides acidic base and rich color to the soup.
• Chicken Stock: Creates the soup's liquid foundation and adds savory depth.
• Beans: Adds protein, texture, and traditional minestrone element.

• Parmesan or Romano Cheese: Adds rich, salty finish and traditional Italian complexity.
• Olive Oil: Optional drizzle for additional richness and flavor.
• Bread: Recommended side for dipping and complementing the soup.

Minestrone Soup Recipe Cooking Directions

Step 1: Sizzle the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Break up the sausage and brown it thoroughly, creating a rich base of flavor.

Step 2: Build the Vegetable Foundation

• Chopped carrots
• Diced celery
• Shredded kale
• Minced garlic
• Fresh rosemary sprig
• Chopped basil
• Chopped Italian parsley

Sauté and cook covered for 10 minutes until vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid and Beans

• Diced tomatoes
• Cannellini or white beans
• Chicken stock
• Grated cheese

Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Reduce heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 5: Final Touches

Remove the rosemary sprig. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Ladle into bowls. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese. Serve alongside crusty bread with rosemary butter.

Minestrone Soup Recipe Tricks You Should Know

• Enhance Flavor Wisely: Fresh herbs cost more but deliver incredible taste. Choose small bunches of parsley and basil with bright green leaves.
• Boost Richness Secretly: Toss a parmesan rind into the simmering soup. This classic trick adds deep, umami complexity without extra effort.
• Season Strategically: Start with a conservative salt and pepper approach. Taste repeatedly during cooking, adjusting seasonings gradually for perfect balance.
• Store Smart: Keep leftover fresh herbs wrapped in slightly damp paper towels inside sealed plastic bags. Refrigerate to maintain maximum freshness and prevent wilting.
• Chop Precisely: Use sharp kitchen scissors or a clean cutting board with a sharp knife. Slice herbs just before adding to prevent bruising and losing essential oils.

Minestrone Soup RecipeStorage Tricks You Should Know

• Portion Smart: Divide soup into individual serving containers before refrigerating. This strategy prevents repeated reheating, which can degrade flavor and texture. Quick cooling and immediate portioning protect the soup's quality and make future meals incredibly convenient.
• Freeze with Strategy: Remove excess air from freezer bags to prevent freezer burn and maintain soup's robust taste. Label each bag with the date and contents, ensuring you track freshness and consume within the optimal three-month window. Flat storage maximizes freezer space and allows faster thawing.
• Liquid Gold Protection: Use glass containers with tight-fitting lids when storing in the refrigerator. Glass prevents flavor absorption from plastic and maintains the soup's original taste profile. Store toward the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent, keeping your minestrone fresher longer.

Minestrone Soup Recipe Recipe Variations

• Vegetarian Veggie Blast: Replace sausage with diced mushrooms or plant-based protein crumbles for a hearty meat-free version. Add extra seasonal vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers to boost nutrition and flavor.
• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate chorizo instead of traditional sausage and add smoked paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Finish with crumbled feta cheese for a bold Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Slow Cooker Comfort: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after initial sautéing. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to meld deeply. Perfect for busy days when you want a hands-off cooking experience.
• Protein Power Bowl: Include quinoa or barley during the last 15 minutes of simmering. Top with grilled chicken or white beans to create a more substantial meal packed with protein and complex carbohydrates.

Final Thoughts on Minestrone Soup Recipe

Minestrone magic awaits in this hearty Italian classic that whispers comfort with each spoonful.

Classic soup traditions blend seamlessly with modern kitchen creativity, transforming simple ingredients into pure magic.

Rustic sausage and garden-fresh vegetables create a symphony of flavors dancing across your palate.

Seasonal produce becomes a celebration of culinary simplicity in this soul-warming recipe.

Mediterranean influences shine through each carefully crafted ingredient, telling stories of Italian countryside kitchens.

Passionate cooks will delight in this soul-nourishing soup that connects generations through one extraordinary bowl – so grab those ingredients, share this recipe with friends, hit that like button, and spread delicious inspiration far and wide!

Joy Of Cooking Minestrone Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Classic Minestrone soup brings Italian countryside warmth to your kitchen with hearty vegetables, tender beans, and rich tomato broth. Generous portions and simple ingredients create a comforting meal you’ll savor through chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 chicken or pork sausages (jalapeno), casings removed
• 10 cups chicken stock

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
• ¾ cup minced celery, including leaves
• 8–12 kale leaves, thick stems removed, chopped (or Swiss chard)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 sprig rosemary
• ¼ cup tightly packed fresh basil, chopped

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 14 ounces (396 grams) canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ½ ounces (440 grams) canned Cannellini, Great Northern, or other white beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup parmesan or romano rind
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated pepper
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of olive oil in a generously sized soup pot over medium heat, then crumble the sausage into the pot and sauté until the meat browns evenly.
2. Add chopped garlic, minced rosemary, basil, and Italian parsley to the browned sausage, stirring to distribute the herbs thoroughly and release their aromatic oils.
3. Incorporate diced carrots, chopped celery, and roughly torn kale leaves into the pot, continuing to stir and ensure even cooking of all vegetables.
4. Cover the pot and allow vegetables to soften and meld together, cooking for approximately 8 to 12 minutes while occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
5. Pour in diced tomatoes and stir gently, letting them integrate with the existing mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Add white cannellini beans, rich chicken stock (32 ounces or 946 milliliters), and grated hard cheese, raising the heat to medium-high and stirring periodically.
7. Reduce heat to low, partially cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 25 to 35 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and concentrate.
8. Remove the rosemary sprig, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. Finish by drizzling with additional extra-virgin olive oil and garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, serving alongside crusty rosemary-infused bread.

Notes

• Toss in a parmesan rind while simmering to deepen the soup’s complexity and add a rich umami undertone.
• Chop fresh herbs generously just before serving to brighten the entire dish with vibrant, aromatic notes.
• Adjust seasoning gradually, tasting as you go to ensure the perfect balance of salt and pepper.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg