Autumn Minestrone Soup
A hearty healthy soup packed with seasonal autumn vegetables! Perfect comforting recipe on a chilly day.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots (2 medium)
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 2 1/2 cups 1/2-inch diced yukon gold potatoes
- 2 1/2 cups 3/4-inch diced butternut squash (I usually buy pre-cut to save prep time)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 4-inch parmesan rind plus shredded parmesan for serving (omit if making vegan)
- 1 Tbsp minced minced fresh rosemary (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried)
- 2 bay leaves, or 1 tsp crushed fennel seeds
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium zucchini, ends trimmed, sliced into half moons or quarters
- 2 cups packed chopped (2.5 oz) curly kale (thick ribs removed)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 Tbsp aged balsamic vinegar, optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and carrots and saute 3 minutes, then add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer.
- Stir in vegetable broth, potatoes, squash, tomatoes, parmesan rind, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and and simmer until veggies are nearly tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir in zucchini, kale and kidney beans and cook until kale is tender, about 5 to 10 minutes longer.
- Remove bay leaves, stir in balsamic vinegar if using. Drizzle individual servings with more extra virgin olive oil to taste and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Pasta can also be included in the recipe, recipe has been updated Sept. 2026 and pasta omitted as if feels unnecessary with the potatoes. To make it even more filling you can also include 3/4 cup ditalini pasta or elbow pasta, semolina wheat based or gluten free. Add it along with the zucchini and kale if using, and increase broth by 1 cup.
- If you want a meat minestrone include 1 lb. Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled or 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped.
- Recipe makes about 13 cups.