Fall Dinner Party Minestrone Soup with Kidney Beans and Spinach
A hearty Italian vegetable soup loaded with kidney beans, garbanzo beans, fresh spinach, and shell pasta in a rich tomato-herb broth. Perfect for autumn dinner parties or cozy family meals, this warming soup combines classic minestrone vegetables with aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. The addition of hot water creates a lighter broth while maintaining deep flavor, and the optional Parmesan cheese adds a savory finish that this comfort food classic.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion, minced
- 1 can cut green beans
- 2 stalks celery, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained
- 1 can garbanzo beans, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons parsley, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 3 cups hot water
- 8 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup small shell pastaditalini pasta1:1vegetarian
traditional shape
- 1 teaspoon crushed red peppers(optional)
- Parmesan cheese(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat
- 2
Saute onion, celery, garlic, and carrots for 5 minutes until onions become translucent
- 3
Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, green beans, hot water, tomato paste, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, and basil
- 4
Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 20 minutes
- 5
Add spinach and pasta and cook for additional 20 minutes
- 6
Serve with Parmesan cheese if desired
Tips
Drain and rinse canned beans before adding to reduce sodium and improve texture
Add pasta in the final 20 minutes to prevent overcooking and mushiness
Let soup rest 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld
Good to Know
Refrigerate up to 4 days in covered container
Can make 1 day ahead, add pasta when reheating
Serve hot with crusty bread and grated Parmesan
Common Mistakes
Add pasta at the end to avoid mushy texture
Do not boil vigorously after adding pasta to prevent breaking
Substitutions
traditional shape
FAQ
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian using vegetable broth and beans for protein.
Can I freeze leftover minestrone?
Freeze soup without pasta up to 3 months, add fresh pasta when reheating.
What if I don't have shell pasta?
Any small pasta like ditalini, elbow macaroni, or small shells work perfectly.