Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Enjoy a piping hot bowl of Olive Garden Minestrone Soup in the comforts of your home. This delightful copycat recipe is perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings, making enough for 8-10 hearty servings. Packed with vibrant vegetables and nutritious beans in a rich tomato broth, it’s not just a meal; it’s an experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Delicious Flavor: The combination of fresh vegetables and spices creates a savory soup that warms the soul.
• Nutritious Ingredients: Loaded with vitamins and minerals from various veggies and beans, it’s a healthy choice for any meal.
• Easy to Make: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both beginner cooks and seasoned chefs.
• Versatile Dish: Serve it as a main course or alongside crusty bread for a comforting side dish.
• Freezable Option: Make a big batch and freeze leftovers for quick meals on busy days.

Tools and Preparation

Before diving into this delicious recipe, gather the necessary tools to ensure smooth cooking.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Large stock pot
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons
• Ladle

Importance of Each Tool

• Large stock pot: Essential for cooking large batches of soup evenly without spilling.
• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables efficiently.
• Sharp knife: Makes slicing and dicing vegetables quick and easy, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.

Ingredients

Enjoy a piping hot bowl of Olive Garden Minestrone soup in the comforts of your home. This copycat recipe makes enough for 8-10 hearty servings and is chocked full of vegetables and beans in a rich tomato broth.

Vegetables

• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 carrots (sliced)
• 4 ribs celery (sliced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 zucchini (diced)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning

Tomatoes & Broth

• 16 ounces Canned Diced tomatoes
• 4 ounces Tomato Paste
• 1 cup Green Beans (cut 1-inch pieces)
• 64 ounces Vegetable broth (divided)

Beans & Pasta

• 16 ounces cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
• 16 ounces Red Kidney Beans (rinsed and drained)
• ½ cup Tiny Shell Pasta

Greens & Garnish

• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 tablespoon Parsley (minced)

How to Make Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large stock pot over medium heat, add olive oil, sliced carrots, sliced celery, and diced onion. Cover the pot with a lid to help the vegetables soften, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Zucchini

Once the vegetables are tender, add minced garlic and diced zucchini. Cook for an additional 5 minutes while mixing often to avoid burning.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Next, add salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, green beans, and tomato paste. Stir well before adding vegetable broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Cook Pasta & Beans

Bring the soup back up to a boil. Add rinsed cannellini beans, red kidney beans, and tiny shell pasta to the pot. Cook for another 10-15 minutes until the pasta is fully cooked, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Final Touches

Pour in an additional 32 ounces of vegetable broth. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted. Just before serving, sprinkle with minced parsley and mix into the soup. Ladle into bowls and enjoy your homemade Olive Garden Minestrone Soup!

How to Serve Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Serving Olive Garden Minestrone Soup is a delightful experience. This hearty soup pairs wonderfully with various accompaniments, enhancing its rich flavors and making for a fulfilling meal.

With Crusty Bread

• Garlic Bread: Serve warm garlic bread for a flavorful crunch that complements the soup.
• Focaccia: This soft, herb-infused bread pairs beautifully with the broth, perfect for dipping.
• Baguette Slices: Toasted baguette slices add a nice texture and are ideal for scooping up the soup.

As Part of a Salad

• Caesar Salad: A crisp Caesar salad brings a refreshing contrast to the warm soup.
• Greek Salad: The tangy elements in a Greek salad balance the hearty flavors of the minestrone.

With Fresh Herbs

• Basil Leaves: Adding fresh basil leaves on top before serving enhances flavor and adds a pop of color.
• Parmesan Cheese (optional): While not vegan, some may enjoy sprinkling grated Parmesan on top for added richness.

How to Perfect Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Creating the perfect Olive Garden Minestrone Soup is all about balancing flavors and textures. Here are some tips to elevate your soup-making skills.

• Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh ingredients provide better flavor and texture compared to frozen or canned options.
• Adjust Seasoning Gradually: Taste as you go, adding salt and spices incrementally to achieve your desired flavor balance.
• Cook Pasta Separately: For best results, cook the tiny shell pasta separately and add it just before serving to avoid overcooking.
• Opt for Homemade Broth: Using homemade vegetable broth can enhance the soup’s depth of flavor significantly.
• Let It Rest: Allowing the soup to sit for 10–15 minutes after cooking helps meld the flavors together beautifully.

Best Side Dishes for Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Pairing side dishes with Olive Garden Minestrone Soup can turn your meal into an impressive feast. Here are some great options to consider.

1. Caprese Salad: A fresh combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic reduction adds brightness.
2. Stuffed Peppers: Colorful bell peppers filled with quinoa or rice bring an additional burst of flavor and nutrition.
3. Roasted Vegetables: Seasonal roasted veggies offer caramelized sweetness that complements the savory minestrone.
4. Antipasto Platter: An assortment of olives, marinated artichokes, and roasted red peppers provides diverse textures and tastes.
5. Pasta Primavera: A light pasta dish with sautéed vegetables can create a satisfying contrast to the soup’s richness.
6. Quinoa Salad: A refreshing quinoa salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemon dressing brings a nutritious touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Olive Garden Minestrone Soup, it’s easy to make a few common mistakes. Here are some tips to ensure your soup turns out perfectly.

• Using too many vegetables: While veggies are essential, overloading can make the soup too thick. Stick to the recommended amounts for the best balance.
• Ignoring fresh herbs: Fresh herbs elevate the flavor significantly. Always use fresh parsley and spinach for a vibrant taste.
• Not seasoning enough: Proper seasoning is key. Taste as you go and adjust salt and pepper to your preference during cooking.
• Overcooking pasta: If you let the pasta cook too long, it can become mushy. Add it during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking for the perfect texture.
• Skipping the broth addition: Adding extra broth at the end is crucial for achieving the right consistency. Don’t skip this step; it enhances both flavor and texture.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Allow soup to cool to room temperature before sealing.

Freezing Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

• Freeze in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
• Leave space in containers as liquid expands when frozen.

Reheating Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

• Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place soup in an oven-safe dish covered with foil and heat for about 20-25 minutes.
• Microwave: Transfer portions into a microwave-safe bowl; cover and heat on high for 2-3 minutes or until hot, stirring halfway through.
• Stovetop: Heat soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making Olive Garden Minestrone Soup.

Can I add different beans to Olive Garden Minestrone Soup?

Yes! You can customize by adding different beans like black beans or chickpeas based on your preference.

Is Olive Garden Minestrone Soup vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is vegan-friendly as it uses vegetable broth and plant-based ingredients throughout.

How can I make Olive Garden Minestrone Soup gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the tiny shell pasta with a gluten-free pasta option that suits your taste.

Can I prepare Olive Garden Minestrone Soup ahead of time?

Yes! This soup tastes even better after sitting for a day, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully.

Final Thoughts

Olive Garden Minestrone Soup is a delightful dish that brings warmth and comfort. Its rich flavors and hearty ingredients make it versatile enough for any occasion. Feel free to customize with seasonal vegetables or different beans to suit your taste. Give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!