Italian Minestrone Soup
There’s nothing quite like a bowl of warm, hearty minestrone soup—a classic Italian vegetable soup filled with fresh ingredients. This recipe is not just about creating a delicious meal, but also about helping kids connect with fresh veggies in a fun and meaningful way.
This soup is a great way to introduce kids to the idea of growing, preparing, and enjoying vegetables. Whether they’re helping chop carrots, stirring the pot, or picking out their favorite veggies to add, minestrone soup makes eating vegetables an adventure—not a chore.
And the best part? It’s flexible! You can use whatever veggies you have on hand, making it an easy, weeknight-friendly meal that the whole family will love.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A fun way to get kids excited about veggies – Hands-on prep and vibrant colors make this soup engaging.
- Easy & customizable – Use whatever fresh or frozen veggies you have!
- A perfect tie-in to gardening – Helps kids see how food goes from seed to plate.
Discover your next culinary adventure
If you love this garden-inspired soup, try these other veggie-packed recipes:
- Slow Cooker Pork Ramen is a fantastic weeknight meal packed with colorful veggie toppings.
- Korean vegetable pancakes are another great way to try lots of veggies!
- Rainbow veggie pizza is a fun and interactive way to make homemade pizza!
How gardening helps kids love veggies
There’s something magical about watching a tiny seed grow into food you can eat. Kids who garden are more likely to try new vegetables, develop a sense of responsibility, and build a deeper connection to their food. Even if you don’t have a big outdoor space, starting with container gardening, herbs on a windowsill, or a simple raised bed can spark curiosity and excitement.
Want to get your kids more involved? Check out my Kid-Friendly Garden Plans & Journal Bundle—a fun, hands-on way to help them learn about planting, growing, and loving fresh veggies!
Dinners for a Difference: Supporting the Edible Schoolyard Project
During the months of March and April 2025, I’m excited to highlight the Edible Schoolyard Project as my Dinners for a Difference campaign. This an amazing organization that helps kids learn about gardening, cooking, and the power of real food. When children get hands-on experience growing and preparing their own meals, they develop lifelong positive eating habits and a deeper appreciation for the food they eat.
This minestrone soup ties into that mission—it’s a great way to connect kids with fresh ingredients while making mealtime fun and interactive.
How can you help?
Every visit to this recipe post this month helps support that mission, making your family dinner a part of something bigger. The more you visit this post, share this post with your family and friends, or leave a rating will help spread this soup as far as possible. The more views we get, the more impact we can make together!
How to make this quick Italian soup
This soup is a great weeknight meal! Here is a brief overview so you know what you are getting into, but for the full set of directions, please scroll down to the recipe card below.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the garlic and herbs, cooking for another minute.
- Simmer: Add in the remaining veggies, beans, vegetable broth, pasta, and greens. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese if desired.
How kids can help in the kitchen
Minestrone soup is an easy, hands-on recipe for kids to help with! Here’s how they can get involved:
Wash & prep veggies – Let them rinse the carrots, celery, or zucchini. Older kids can practice their knives skills by chopping.
Measure & pour ingredients – A great way to practice early math skills.
Stir the pot – With supervision, stirring the soup is a fun and rewarding task.
Pick fresh herbs – If you have a small herb garden, let them pick oregano or thyme for the soup, or garnish with fresh basil or parsley!
Cooking together helps kids feel ownership over their food, making them more likely to try new flavors!
Love and links are always appreciated! If you’d like to share this post, please link to this post directly for the recipe, please do not copy and paste or screenshot. Thanks so much for supporting me! xoxo
Italian Minestrone Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 celery ribs diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes with liquids
- 2 cups diced seasonal veggies I used zucchini and green beans
- 2 cups baby spinach or kale
- 2 cups ditali pasta
- 15 ounces great northern beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat.4 Tablespoons olive oil
- Sauté the diced onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.1 medium yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery ribs
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste,oregano, thyme, salt and pepper and sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.3 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add in the broth, water, canned tomatoes, remaining veggies, beans, pasta, and bay leaf.4 cups vegetable broth, 28 ounces diced tomatoes, 2 cups diced seasonal veggies, 2 cups baby spinach or kale, 2 cups ditali pasta, 15 ounces great northern beans, 1 cup water, 1 bay leaf
- Bring to a low boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the veggies are soft, stirring frequently so the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the lemon juice and taste, adjusting for salt and pepper as needed.2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top.1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
