Quick Minestrone Soup

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 15 min.

Makes

10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)

Updated: Nov. 29, 2023
This quick minestrone soup is hearty and makes a comforting lunch or dinner on a brisk day. The spaghetti sauce provides rich flavor without a long simmering time. I further cut the prep time by using my food processor to chop the vegetables. —Barbara Jellison, Bellevue, Washington
Quick Minestrone Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 4 bacon strips, diced
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 jar (28 ounces) spaghetti sauce
  • 1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth
  • 1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2/3 cup uncooked small shell pasta
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup frozen cut green beans
  • Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

  1. In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings; set bacon aside. In the drippings, saute onion and carrots until tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes longer.
  2. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, broth and beans. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta, brown sugar, basil and oregano. Cook, uncovered, until pasta is tender, 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add green beans; cook until heated through, about 5 minutes longer. Garnish with reserved bacon and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Quick Minestrone Soup Tips

How can you make this quick minestrone soup your own?

Make this soup your own by adding any vegetables you like. Zucchini, yellow squash, butternut squash, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes and kale are all great options. Make the soup even heartier by adding cooked and crumbled ground beef or Italian sausage. You can also substitute with any pasta shape you love such as farfalle, fusilli, ditalini, cavatappi or whatever small pasta you have in the pantry. Looking for more quick meals? Try these other easy weeknight dinners.

What do you serve with minestrone soup?

For a complete and satisfying meal, serve this easy soup with warm crusty homemade bread or your favorite garlic bread recipe and a crisp side salad.

How should you store leftovers of quick minestrone soup?

Store the minestrone soup in tightly sealed food storage containers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze in freezer containers for up to 3 months.

—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 188 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 560mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate, 7g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 lean meat.