To the inner pot of the Instant Pot add in the veggies except for spinach.
Now add in 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.
Top it with 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
6 quart Instant Pot Duo is used .Use the NORMAL pressure setting. Not HIGH or LOW pressure.Possible substitutions –Swap veg broth with vegetarian better than bouillon ( 4 teaspoon bouillon mixed with 4 cups water)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?A can of Cannellini beans i.e Northern beans are an ideal choice for making this soup.To change things up chickpea is 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 variationI 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.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.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.