Description
Hearty instant pot minestrone soup delivers Italian countryside comfort with robust vegetables and rich broth. Savory beans and tender pasta combine for a nourishing meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small zucchini, chopped
- 1.5 cups green beans, trimmed and chopped
- 2 cups chopped spinach or kale
Protein and Canned Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounces) can great northern or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 0.75 cup small pasta (like ditalini or elbow)
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.75 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Awaken the aromatic base by activating the Instant Pot’s sauté function. Drizzle olive oil into the pot and introduce diced onions, carrots, and celery. Allow the vegetables to soften and become translucent, releasing their subtle flavors. Introduce minced garlic and create a fragrant bloom for a brief moment.
- Enhance the flavor profile by sprinkling oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir the herbs thoroughly to distribute their essence throughout the vegetable medley.
- Layer the soup’s foundation by adding diced tomatoes, kidney beans, cannellini beans, chopped zucchini, and green beans. Pour in the rich vegetable broth and gently incorporate pasta, ensuring all ingredients are well-integrated.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, positioning the valve to sealing. Initiate high-pressure cooking for a precise 4-minute cycle. Once complete, perform a controlled quick release to prevent potential splatter.
- Elevate the soup’s nutritional value by gently folding in vibrant spinach or kale. Splash a touch of red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice to brighten the overall flavor profile. Allow the greens to delicately wilt in the residual heat.
- Conduct a final taste assessment, adjusting seasoning as needed. Ladle the steaming soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and optional chopped herbs for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting broth quantity, ensuring a perfect consistency every time.
- Swap pasta with gluten-free alternatives like quinoa or zucchini noodles for a low-carb version that maintains delicious flavor profiles.
- Boost protein content by adding cooked chicken, ground turkey, or plant-based crumbles without disrupting the soup’s classic vegetable medley.
- Maximize flavor development by sautéing vegetables until slightly caramelized, which deepens the overall taste complexity of the minestrone.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg