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Green Minestrone Pesto Soup

Green Minestrone Pesto Soup

Craving a hearty yet vibrant meal? This Green Minestrone Pesto Soup offers a delightful twist on the traditional Italian favorite, packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty pesto kick. It's your go-to for a satisfying, wholesome, and incredibly flavorful one-pot wonder that's perfect for any season.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time (Prep + Cook) 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
  • 1 cup fresh kale chopped, tough stems removed
  • ½ cup prepared pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • Parmesan cheese grated, for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 8-10 minutes.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 stalks celery
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
    2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  3. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
    6 cups vegetable broth
  4. Add the rinsed and drained cannellini beans and the pasta to the pot. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup back to a gentle boil.
    1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, 1 cup small pasta
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook according to the pasta package directions, or until the pasta is al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking.
    1 cup small pasta
  6. Stir in the chopped spinach and kale. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the greens have wilted and are tender.
    2 cups fresh spinach, 1 cup fresh kale
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the prepared pesto until well combined. The pesto will add a beautiful green hue and a surge of fresh, herbaceous flavor.
    ½ cup prepared pesto
  8. Taste the soup and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle the Green Minestrone Pesto Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
    Salt, Fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese

Notes

This soup can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days and frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash more broth if needed.
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