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Wholesome Olive Garden Loaded Minestrone Soup Recipe Easy Copycat

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A comforting and wholesome Olive Garden-inspired minestrone soup loaded with tender beans, fresh veggies, and a gently herbed broth. This easy copycat recipe comes together in under 45 minutes using simple pantry staples and fresh produce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup small pasta shapes (ditalini or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional for serving)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until shimmering but not smoking.
  2. Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until onions are translucent and carrots start to soften, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Add the diced zucchini and green beans. Cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to soften but remain vibrant.
  5. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and stir to combine.
  6. Add the vegetable broth and stir, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.
  7. Add the kidney beans, dried oregano, dried basil, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  8. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover partially and cook for about 20 minutes to marry the flavors.
  9. Add the pasta and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
  10. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  11. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Keep an eye on the pasta to avoid overcooking and mushiness. For leftovers, cook pasta separately and add when reheating. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavor if soup tastes flat. Use good-quality vegetable broth for best flavor. Frozen veggies can be used if fresh are unavailable. For vegan version, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: minestrone soup, Olive Garden copycat, loaded minestrone, easy soup recipe, vegetable soup, healthy soup, vegetarian soup, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/wholesome-olive-garden-loaded-minestrone-soup-recipe-easy-copycat/