ITALIAN-STYLE VEGETABLE SOUP (MINESTRONE) WITH PARMESAN AND PASTA

Experience the comforting flavors of a traditional Italian vegetable soup inspired by my Italian aunt’s recipe. Rich and hearty, this minestrone is more of a thick vegetable stew packed with fresh produce, tender pasta, and topped with fragrant Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a wholesome meal for any day, this recipe is versatile with plenty of room to add your favorite veggies like leek, cabbage, or green beans.

🕒 Prep Time: 15 min

🍳 Cook Time: 45 min
🍰 Servings: 5-6

🥄 Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
60 g bacon, diced (omit for vegan/vegetarian version)
1 onion, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
50 g celery root, diced
150 g kohlrabi, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
250 ml tomato passata
70 g short pasta (fusilli)
1 small zucchini (200 g), sliced and quartered
100 g peas (fresh or frozen)
250 g potatoes, diced small
1/2 bell pepper, diced
150 g canned beans, drained
1 celery stalk (with leaves)
1 sprig rosemary
1 sprig thyme
5 parsley stems
5 basil leaves
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté diced bacon until lightly crispy.
Add diced carrot, celery root, kohlrabi, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes until softened.
Stir in crushed garlic and cook 1 more minute.
Pour in tomato passata and 4 cups of water. Add salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and celery stalks with leaves whole. Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes.
Add peas, zucchini (with skin), canned beans, diced bell pepper, pasta, and potatoes.
Optional: add cauliflower florets at this stage for extra texture.
Simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked. Remove and discard whole herbs. Adjust salt to taste.
Stir in chopped basil and parsley. Turn off heat.
Serve hot with grated Parmesan sprinkled on top and crusty ciabatta bread on the side.

💡 Tips

Use fresh seasonal vegetables for best flavor.
For a vegan version, omit bacon and Parmesan; add a splash of olive oil before serving.
If soup thickens too much, add more water or vegetable broth.
Fresh herbs elevate the flavor — add some oregano or marjoram if available.

🎉 Perfect For

Hearty family dinners
Comfort food on chilly days
Meal prepping for the week
Vegetable-packed wholesome lunches

📝 Final Thoughts

This Italian-style vegetable soup is a nourishing and satisfying dish that captures the essence of home cooking with fresh ingredients and traditional flavors. The addition of Parmesan cheese and pasta makes it a fulfilling meal that brings warmth and comfort to your table. Easy to customize, it’s a perfect recipe for anyone seeking delicious, wholesome food with a Mediterranean touch.