Hearty Olive Garden-Style Minestrone Soup
This Hearty Olive Garden-Style Minestrone Soup is a delightful tribute to the beloved restaurant classic. Packed with a vibrant mix of fresh vegetables, nourishing beans, and tender pasta, this soup delivers a comforting and satisfying meal. Perfect for cold days or when you need a filling dish, this recipe serves a crowd, making it ideal for family gatherings or meal prep. Accompany it with crusty garlic bread and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a truly indulgent experience.
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
celery
1 cup (finely minced)
onion
1 cup (finely minced)
carrot
1 cup (finely minced)
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
garbanzo beans
1/2 cup (cooked)
kidney beans
1/2 cup (cooked)
dried whole peas
1/2 cup (dried)
white pea beans
1/2 cup (cooked)
sliced carrot
3/4 cup (sliced)
coarsely chopped onion
3/4 cup (chopped)
sliced celery
3/4 cup (sliced)
chopped bell pepper
3/4 cup (chopped)
rice or barley
1/2 cup (uncooked)
shell macaroni
1 cup (uncooked)
parsley
2 tablespoons (minced)
oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
basil
1 teaspoon (dried)
soy sauce
2 teaspoons (liquid)
pepper
to taste
Parmesan cheese
to taste (grated for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large stockpot, melt the butter over medium heat.
2
Add the finely minced onion, celery, and carrot, and sauté slowly until the vegetables are deeply browned and aromatic, about 10-15 minutes.
3
Stir in the dried whole peas and all cooked beans, then pour in approximately 3 quarts of water.
4
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, until the beans are tender, about 2 to 2.5 hours, checking the garbanzo beans for doneness.
5
Once the beans are nearly done, add the remaining sliced and chopped vegetables (sliced carrots, chopped onions, sliced celery, and chopped bell pepper), along with the rice or barley and your spices (oregano, basil, and parsley). Stir well and add more water if needed.
6
Let the soup simmer for an additional hour, stirring occasionally.
7
About 20 minutes before serving, add in the uncooked shell macaroni and more water as necessary to maintain desired soup consistency.
8
When ready to serve, ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese, and season with pepper to taste. Serve with crusty garlic bread.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
39g
Carbs
12g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Olive Garden-Style Minestrone Soup?
It is a comforting and nutritious soup inspired by the Olive Garden classic, featuring a blend of fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in a savory broth.
Is this minestrone soup recipe vegetarian?
The recipe uses butter and Parmesan cheese, so it is lacto-vegetarian. To make it vegan, replace the butter with oil and omit the cheese.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 240 calories.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
This recipe includes garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and white pea beans.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup undergoes an initial simmer of 2 to 2.5 hours, followed by another hour after adding more vegetables and grains.
Can I use barley or rice in this soup?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 1/2 cup of uncooked rice or barley.
When should I add the pasta to the soup?
Add the shell macaroni about 20 minutes before you are ready to serve to ensure it is cooked through but not mushy.
What is the secret to the deep flavor in this recipe?
The key is slowly sautéing the minced onion, celery, and carrot in butter for 10-15 minutes until they are deeply browned and aromatic.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
The soup is seasoned with dried oregano, dried basil, minced parsley, and soy sauce for added depth.
Is this recipe high in protein?
Yes, each serving provides about 12 grams of protein primarily from the various beans.
How much fat is in this minestrone soup?
There are 3 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 39 grams of carbohydrates.
What type of pasta works best for this soup?
The recipe recommends using uncooked shell macaroni.
Do I need to soak the dried whole peas?
The instructions suggest adding them to the pot to simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours until tender.
What should I serve with Olive Garden-Style Minestrone?
It is best served with crusty garlic bread and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Can I add bell peppers to this soup?
Yes, the recipe calls for 3/4 cup of chopped bell pepper for extra flavor and texture.
How much liquid is required for the base?
Start with approximately 3 quarts of water and add more as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Are the vegetables minced or chopped?
Both; the base vegetables are finely minced for the flavor base, while additional vegetables are sliced or coarsely chopped for texture.
Does this recipe contain soy sauce?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce are added to enhance the savory profile of the broth.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely; it makes a large batch that can be portioned out for satisfying meals throughout the week.
How do I know when the beans are done?
You should check the garbanzo beans specifically; once they are tender, the other beans are usually ready as well.
Can I substitute the butter for a healthier option?
You can use olive oil instead of butter if you prefer a different fat source or a vegan option.
What kind of peas are used in the soup?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of dried whole peas.
Is this soup considered 'hearty'?
Yes, due to the combination of three types of beans, peas, pasta, and rice or barley, it is a very filling meal.
How many different vegetables are included?
The soup includes onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, and peas.
Should I cook the beans before adding them?
The recipe calls for pre-cooked garbanzo, kidney, and white pea beans.
What is the best way to garnish this soup?
Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste.
How do I prevent the pasta from soaking up all the broth?
Add the pasta only 20 minutes before serving and add extra water as necessary to maintain the consistency.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, but you will typically need to triple the amount of fresh herbs to match the potency of dried herbs.
What size pot do I need?
A large stockpot is required to accommodate the 3+ quarts of water and various ingredients.