Is there any soup comforting than Vegan Minestrone soup?? It is made of vegetables, beans, pasta, herbs, spices & tangy tomato base. I mean what’s not to like about? Made under 20 minutes using an Instant Pot.
I am blessed with a family that loves soups and chilies. Especially my 8-year-old. He loves slurping on this vegetable lentil quinoa soup and this Instant Pot vegan chili.
He disdains steamed veggies. But he will gladly eat his vegetables only if it is made with a lot of flavor like this garden vegetable soup.
My 2-year-old isn’t a veggie fan either. So I tend to hide it in recipes like this vegan pasta sauce.
Luckily Minestrone soup does great in my family. And why not? It is a pasta soup after all!!
Minestrone is an Italian broth-based vegetarian soup that is authentically meatless. But some recipes, as well as restaurants, use chicken broth in it. Parmesan cheese is used in authentic minestrone soup for a sharp flavor which isn’t dairy-free making it not vegan-friendly. Today I am sharing a vegan version of Minestrone soup. I promise you won’t miss Parmesan in it at all.
This homemade Minestrone soup recipe is hearty, healthy, delicious and highly customizable with ingredients too. I will share how to make this easy soup in an Instant Pot as well as on the stove-top. I prefer the Instant Pot method as it’s a completely hands-free one. Use the method that is convenient for you.
Your next weekday dinner goal should be this Vegan Minestrone soup. It’s one of the healthiest soup packed with vitamins, fiber, protein, and minerals. We love sipping on this soup during allergy season too. This broth soup is really comforting on the days my kids have bad cold.
Ingredients for making Vegan Minestrone Soup –
Vegetables –
I have used celery, onions, spinach, zucchini, carrots, and green beans to make this soup.
Spices –
Garlic powder, salt, pepper, Italian dried herb blend and dash of cayenne makes up for the flavor
Secret of making the best minestrone soup in less time –
Vegetable broth and pasta sauce is an effective combo to make this soup tasty in just 10 minutes.
You may use canned tomato puree instead of pasta sauce. But you will need some extra seasoning too.
Beans –
A can of cannellini beans is my choice for making minestrone soup.
Pasta –
I have used macaroni pasta to make this soup.
Adding cheesy flavor to the vegan soup –
I have topped it with homemade 2 ingredient vegan parmesan. it is a combination of nutritional yeast and walnuts.
How to make Vegan Parmesan at home –
In a blender grind 1 cup nutritional yeast with 1/2 cup of roasted walnuts.
Store in a jar. Use as needed.
How to make Minestrone Soup at home in an Instant Pot –
Minestrone soup is a convenient dump and cook recipe in an Instant Pot.
It cannot get easier than this.
All you have to do is add the veggies , beans , herbs & spices in the pot.
Top it with pasta sauce or tomato puree.
Do not stir at this point.
Add in chopped spinach or kale if desired.
Close the lid and let it cook for 3 minutes.
Perform a quick release . Stir and serve the soup.
Comforting vegan minestrone soup is ready with just 10 minutes of your prep time. Serve hot with a side of crusty bread or a salad.
Possible substitutions –
What kind of pasta to use for Minestrone soup?
- Classic Minestrone uses ditalini pasta that is a shorter pasta.
- I prefer to use whatever I have at home.
- Elbow pasta, macaroni, mini penne, wheels are some of my preferred pasta for this soup.
Pasta Substitute for healthy Minestrone?
You may substitute pasta with the following –
Lentil or bean pasta, quinoa, cooked barley, or cooked brown rice.
Which beans go well in a Minestrone soup?
Cooked Cannellini beans are an ideal choice for making this soup.
To change things up Chickpea or Northern beans are a good swap for white beans.
I do not prefer black beans or kidney beans to make minestrone. It makes it taste much like chili.
Minestrone Soup variation
I make Minestrone quite often and like to change things up every time. Here is what I do to make it interesting each time I make it –
- Add a spoonful of basil pesto to the soup just before serving for more flavor.
- Drizzle some chili oil or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice towards the end will add a ton of zing to the soup.
Helpful tips to make the best minestrone soup under 20 minutes-
For the base –
I recommend using a combination of vegetable broth and pasta sauce for getting the best flavor in fewer minutes.
This makes the soup taste as if it was simmering for hours.
Tips on choosing veggies –
Always try to use fresh vegetables that are seasonally available than frozen ones.
For example for making Minestrone soup in fall and winter, you can use kale, green beans, and carrots.
Tip using pasta in the soup –
If you are not serving the soup immediately then I suggest not to add pasta.
The more the pasta sits in a liquid it tends to absorb it which is unappetizing.
You may separately cook the pasta al dente and then add to the soup, simmer it for a minute and serve.
What to serve with Minestrone soup?
A side of crusty bread or a light salad like this Summer berry salad with strawberry vinaigrette.
It is an ideal antipasto before serving the main course like this creamy spinach pasta or mushroom cream pasta.
I prefer a small bowl of vegetable pasta soup as a light evening snack as well.
How to make Keto Minestrone soup?
Make low carb Keto minestrone soup by omitting carrots, pasta and add low carb vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli.
How to make Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Gluten-Free?
Use your choice of gluten-free pasta.
Everything remains the same in the recipe except the pasta is added after the soup is done and simmered on Saute mode until the pasta is done. You can separately cook gluten-free pasta and add to the soup.
Highly recommended Vegan Instant Pot soup recipes for you –
Creamy broccoli cauliflower soup (Keto)
Instant Pot Vegan Minestrone Soup Recipe –
Vegan Minestrone Soup under 20 minutes ( Instant Pot & Stovetop recipe )
Ingredients
- 15 oz can Cannellini Beans or 1¼cooked beans
- ¼ cup macaroni pasta OR of choice
For the broth
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1.5 cups pasta sauce of choice
Vegetables used
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 zucchini cubed
- 1 carrot cubed
- 15 green beans cut into 1.5” sticks
- 2 celery sticks chopped
- 2 cups Spinach or Kale chopped
Spices used
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herb blend OR oregano
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For topping (optional)
- Vegan Parmesan cheese blend
- Dried Parsley
Instructions
- Switch on the Instant Pot.
- To the inner pot of the Instant Pot add in the veggies except spinach, beans, herbs, & spices in the pot.
- Add in the vegetable broth. Give it a good stir.
- Top it with pasta sauce.
- Do not stir at this point.
- Add in chopped spinach or kale if desired.
- Close the lid and turn the black knob to the sealing position.
- Press bean mode on the pot ( i.e cook on NORMAL pressure) and using the minus button to come down to 3 minutes. You may use porridge mode too.
- Once the Instant Pot beeps perform wait for a minute and do a Quick Release.
- Always do a quick release by placing a kitchen towel on the black knob and then turning it carefully to VENTING with a spoon to avoid any liquid to splatter out of the pot.
- Stir and adjust any seasoning if needed.
- Just before serving, top the soup with vegan parmesan and dried parsley. Serve it hot.
- This soup will thicken a bit as it starts cooling down.
Notes
• Classic Minestrone uses ditalini pasta that is a shorter pasta. • I prefer to use whatever I have at home. • Elbow pasta, macaroni, mini penne, wheels are some of my preferred pasta for this soup. How to make Keto Minestrone soup? Make low carb Keto minestrone soup by omitting carrots, pasta and add low carb vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli. How to make Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Gluten-Free? Use your choice of gluten-free pasta. Everything remains the same in the recipe except the pasta is added after the soup is done and simmered on Saute mode until the pasta is done. You can separately cook gluten-free pasta and add to the soup. Helpful tips to make the best minestrone soup under 20 minutes- Use Nutritional yeast or store-bought vegan Parmesan for a cheesy flavor . For the base - I recommend using a combination of vegetable broth and pasta sauce for the best flavor. This makes the soup taste as if it was simmering for hours. Tips on choosing veggies – Always try to use fresh vegetables that are seasonally available than frozen ones. For example for making Minestrone soup in fall and winter, you can use kale, green beans, and carrots. Tip using pasta in the soup - If you are not serving the soup immediately then I suggest not to add pasta. The more the pasta sits in a liquid it tends to absorb it which is unappetizing. You may separately cook the pasta al dente and then add to the soup, simmer it for a minute and serve. How to make 1 -pot Minestrone soup on the stovetop? Refer to the recipe above. Use a big pot or dutch oven to cook the soup on medium heat. Add all the ingredients except pasta. Cook covered for 3-4 minutes or until it comes to a light simmer. Once it comes to a simmer cook without covering to avoid the broth to overflow. Once it starts boiling add in the pasta and cook the soup until the pasta is done. You will have to keep an eye and stir the soup occasionally. How to store Minestrone soup? Minestrone soup stays well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not add in the pasta if you are not consuming it the same day. Add in later. I don't prefer freezing this soup.
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