Simple One-Pot Minestrone

Featured in: Simple Weeknight Meals

This comforting Italian minestrone blends garden-fresh vegetables like zucchini, carrots, and celery with cannellini beans and small pasta, simmered in seasoned vegetable broth. Olive oil sautés aromatics before combining wholesome ingredients for an easy, hearty meal. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for a nourishing lunch or dinner. Optional garnishes like Parmesan or parsley add a final touch. Vegan options and substitutions make it versatile for various diets and preferences.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:04:00 GMT
Steaming-hot one-pot minestrone soup, a vibrant Italian veggie dish, ready to savor. Save
Steaming-hot one-pot minestrone soup, a vibrant Italian veggie dish, ready to savor. | pulsecuisine.com

A hearty, comforting Italian vegetable soup brimming with beans, pasta, and garden-fresh vegetables—all simmered in one pot for easy cleanup.

This simple minestrone quickly became a family favorite because of its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
  • Onion: 1 medium, diced
  • Celery stalks: 2, diced
  • Carrots: 2 medium, diced
  • Zucchini: 1 medium, diced
  • Green beans: 1 cup, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Garlic cloves: 3, minced
  • Diced tomatoes: 1 (14 oz/400 g) can
  • Cannellini beans: 1 (15 oz/425 g) can, drained and rinsed
  • Vegetable broth: 6 cups (1.5 L)
  • Small pasta: 3/4 cup (80 g), e.g. ditalini or elbow macaroni
  • Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon
  • Dried basil: 1 teaspoon
  • Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Bay leaf: 1
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
  • Parmesan cheese: 1/4 cup freshly grated (omit for vegan)
  • Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons chopped

Instructions

Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes, until softened.
Step 2:
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Step 3:
Add zucchini, green beans, diced tomatoes (with juice), cannellini beans, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well.
Step 4:
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
Step 5:
Add pasta and cook for 10 12 minutes, or until pasta and vegetables are tender.
Step 6:
Remove and discard bay leaf. Season soup with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7:
Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese and parsley, if desired. Serve hot.
Hearty one-pot minestrone soup: brimming with pasta and garden-fresh vegetables, ready to eat. Save
Hearty one-pot minestrone soup: brimming with pasta and garden-fresh vegetables, ready to eat. | pulsecuisine.com

Sharing this soup brings back fond memories of family dinners during chilly evenings.

Required Tools

Large soup pot, sharp knife and cutting board, wooden spoon or spatula, ladle

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (pasta); contains dairy if garnished with Parmesan. For gluten free, use gluten free pasta.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 230, Total Fat: 6 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 8 g per serving

Close-up of a rustic bowl of simple one-pot minestrone soup with fresh herbs and Parmesan. Save
Close-up of a rustic bowl of simple one-pot minestrone soup with fresh herbs and Parmesan. | pulsecuisine.com

Enjoy this easy and nutritious soup any day of the week to warm up your meals.

Recipe FAQs

What vegetables are used in this dish?

This dish includes onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and green beans, providing a fresh and vibrant flavor profile.

Can I use different types of beans?

Yes, kidney or navy beans can be substituted for cannellini beans to vary the texture and taste.

Is there a way to make this dish vegan-friendly?

Simply omit the Parmesan cheese or replace it with a plant-based alternative to keep it vegan.

How do I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy?

Add the pasta towards the end of cooking and simmer until just tender to maintain its shape and texture.

Can I add extra greens to this meal?

Yes, stirring in chopped spinach or kale during the last five minutes of cooking adds extra nutrients and color.

Simple One-Pot Minestrone

Hearty Italian vegetable soup with beans, pasta, and fresh vegetables cooked in one pot.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Total Duration
50 minutes
Created by Noah Gray


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type Italian

Makes 6 Number of servings

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 1 medium onion, diced
03 2 celery stalks, diced
04 2 medium carrots, diced
05 1 medium zucchini, diced
06 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
07 3 cloves garlic, minced

Canned Goods

01 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
02 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 6 cups vegetable broth

Pasta

01 3/4 cup small pasta (e.g., ditalini or elbow macaroni)

Seasonings

01 1 teaspoon dried oregano
02 1 teaspoon dried basil
03 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
04 1 bay leaf
05 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes

01 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (omit for vegan)
02 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

How-To Steps

Step 01

Sauté Base Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened.

Step 02

Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 03

Combine Remaining Vegetables and Broth: Add diced zucchini, green beans, diced tomatoes with juices, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, oregano, basil, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir thoroughly.

Step 04

Simmer Soup: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.

Step 05

Cook Pasta: Add small pasta and continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta and vegetables are tender.

Step 06

Finish and Season: Discard bay leaf and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 07

Serve: Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Gear You'll Need

  • Large soup pot
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Ladle

Allergy Details

Always look over ingredients for allergens and consult your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains wheat (pasta) and dairy if Parmesan is used. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten intolerance.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

For your reference only—this isn’t a substitute for advice from a health expert.
  • Calorie Count: 230
  • Fat Content: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 8 g