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Winter Minestrone Soup – Packed With Veggies & Cozy Comfort

When the cold winter months settle in, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of Winter Minestrone Soup. This hearty, rustic Italian soup is a celebration of vegetables — a beautiful blend of winter produce simmered in a rich tomato broth with beans, pasta, and fragrant herbs. Every spoonful is colorful, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. What makes winter minestrone different from the classic version is its cozy, seasonal ingredients. Instead of light summer vegetables, this recipe uses hearty winter vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, kale, zucchini, and celery. These ingredients hold up beautifully during long simmering, giving the soup a thick, comforting texture with incredible flavor. This soup is packed with veggies, high in fiber, naturally filling, and perfect for cold days when you want a wholesome meal that warms you from the inside out. Whether you're making it for family dinner, meal prep, or a cozy night at home, this Winter Minestrone Soup delivers nourishment, comfort, and an explosion of flavor — all in one pot.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Vegetables
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 1 cup carrots chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup zucchini chopped
  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • 1 cup butternut squash diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups kale or spinach
  • 1 bay leaf
Canned & Pantry
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans or cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
Pasta
  • 1 cup small pasta ditalini, elbows, or small shells
Oil
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • Salt & black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large soup pot or Dutch oven
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Wooden spoon
  • Can opener
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Ladle
  • Blender (optional for thickening)

Method
 

Step 1 — Sauté the aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.
  2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.
  3. Cook for 6–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook 1 more minute.
Step 2 — Add hearty vegetables
  1. Add diced potatoes and butternut squash.
  2. Stir well to coat the vegetables in oil and aromatics.
Step 3 — Add tomatoes, broth & herbs
  1. Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
  2. Add oregano, basil, thyme, and the bay leaf.
  3. Season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Stir to combine.
Step 4 — Simmer
  1. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
  2. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, until potatoes and squash soften.
Step 5 — Add zucchini & beans
  1. Stir in the chopped zucchini and the rinsed beans.
  2. Simmer another 8 minutes.
Step 6 — Add pasta
  1. Add the small pasta directly to the pot.
  2. Simmer for 10–12 minutes, until pasta is al dente.
Step 7 — Add greens
  1. Stir in kale or spinach.
  2. Let it wilt for 2 minutes.
Step 8 — Adjust & serve
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper.
  2. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  3. Ladle into bowls and enjoy warm winter comfort.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store for up to 5 days in airtight containers.
Pasta absorbs liquid — add broth when reheating.
Freezer
Freeze without pasta for up to 2 months.
Add fresh pasta after reheating.
Reheating
Warm on low heat.
Add extra broth to thin if needed.
🥄 Variations
1. High-Protein Minestrone
Add chickpeas or extra beans.
2. Creamy Winter Minestrone
Stir in ½ cup cream or coconut milk.
3. Low-Carb Version
Replace pasta with cauliflower or extra zucchini.
4. Spicy Minestrone
Add chili flakes or diced jalapeño.
5. Italian-Herb Boost
Add fresh basil or rosemary at the end.
6. Veggie Expansion
Add leeks, green beans, turnips, or cabbage.
7. Tomato-Rich Minestrone
Add 2 tablespoons tomato paste.
8. Slow Cooker Version
Cook everything except pasta & greens for 6 hours on low.
9. Gluten-Free Version
Use gluten-free pasta.
10. Brothy Minestrone
Add 1 extra cup of vegetable broth.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. What makes it a Winter Minestrone?
It uses hearty seasonal vegetables like squash, potatoes, and kale.
2. Can I make it ahead?
Yes — it tastes even better the next day.
3. Can I skip the pasta?
Yes — it becomes a low-carb vegetable stew.
4. Can I blend part of the soup?
Yes — blend 1 cup for a thicker texture.
5. Can I add meat?
Add shredded chicken or turkey if you like.
6. What greens work best?
Kale, spinach, Swiss chard, or collard greens.
7. Can I freeze it?
Yes — freeze before adding pasta.
8. Can I use fresh herbs?
Absolutely — add them at the end for brightness.
9. What broth is best?
Vegetable broth keeps it vegetarian, but chicken broth works too.
10. What pasta shape works best?
Short shapes like ditalini, elbows, or small shells.
🏁 Conclusion
This Winter Minestrone Soup is truly a celebration of vegetables — hearty potatoes, sweet squash, tender beans, bright greens, and soft pasta all simmered in a warm, herb-infused tomato broth. It’s nourishing, flavorful, and incredibly comforting, making it perfect for chilly evenings, meal prep, or whenever you want a bowl of pure wholesome goodness.
With its rich texture, rustic charm, and beautiful variety of vegetables, this soup feels like a hug in a bowl — warm, cozy, and satisfying.