Vegan Minestrone Soup

Vegan Minestrone Soup, a plant-based take on the traditional Italian vegetable, bean, and pasta soup using nutritional yeast instead of cheese. Easy and ready in less than 40 minutes!

a bowl of vegan minestrone soup on a white table with a gold spoon

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Love minestrone soup but not sure how to make it plant-based? This easy peasy vegan take on traditional Italian minestrone is super easy – and the recipe is approved by my Italy born-and-raised husband and mother-in-law (they love it!).

๐Ÿ‘‰ Ready to learn how to make plant-based minestrone? Let’s do it!


๐ŸŽฅ Recipe video

Watch me make this easy soup in this 20-second video!

YouTube video

๐Ÿซ˜ Ingredients

  • Beans: add protein and fiber to the soup, I’m using kidney beans but white, navy, or other types of beans work as well (canned or cook dried beans in the Instant Pot)
  • Tomatoes: canned diced tomatoes add a rich, tomato flavor and acidity to the soup, but you can substitute with fresh tomatoes
  • Green beans: adds fresh, crisp texture and flavor to the soup
  • Celery, onion, carrots, garlic: add sweet, savory, and pungent flavor to the soup
  • Pasta: a small pasta noodle is traditional for minestrone; I used cavatappi in this soup, but elbow macaroni or other small pasta work as well
  • Olive oil: used to sauté the aromatic vegetables and add flavor, you an substitute with any other cooking oil of your choice
  • Herbs and seasonings: salt, pepper, red pepper (optional) and herbs like thyme, oregano, parsley, and bay leaf add a burst of fresh flavor
  • Nutritional yeast: replaces the parmesan or pecorino cheese in traditional minestrone and adds a nutty, cheesy flavor without dairy
  • Vegetable broth: provides a savory, umami flavor base for the soup
  • Recommended tools: large pot, knife, cutting board, measuring cups and spoons
bowls of tomatoes, beans, green beans, pasta, garlic, spices, and vegetables on a table for minestrone soup

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make (step-by-step photos)

1๏ธโƒฃ Step One: Cook vegetables

To a large pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and let heat. Then add sliced celery, diced onion, and sliced carrots and let the vegetables cook until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.

Then add minced garlic and a pinch of salt pepper, cooking 2-3 minutes more or until the garlic begins to brown and release it’s aromatic flavor.


2๏ธโƒฃ Step Two: Add all ingredients and simmer soup

Next, add the beans, green beans, tomatoes, vegetable, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano broth and stir ingredients to combine.

Then bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes.

a wooden spoon with vegetables and beans above a pot of soup

3๏ธโƒฃ Step Three: Add pasta

Once the soup has simmered, stir in pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes more, or until pasta is cooked to al dente.

Once it’s cooked, stir in the parsley and taste the soup and adjust seasonings, if desired.

a pot of cooked minestrone soup on a white table with a wooden spoon

4๏ธโƒฃ Step Four: Garnish and serve the soup

Serve soup in bowls with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and a pinch of spicy red pepper flakes (optional). Then enjoy!

a white bowl of vegan minestrone soup on a white table with a gold fork

โ“ Recipe questions + quick tips

What types of beans can I use in minestrone soup?

Common beans used in minestrone soup include kidney beans, cannellini beans, navy beans, and garbanzo beans (chickpeas). These beans all have a similar texture and can be used interchangeably in the soup.

What types of pasta can I use in minestrone soup?

There are several types of pasta that can be used in minestrone soup, including small shapes like elbows, shells, or ditalini, as well as larger shapes like fusilli or penne. The key is to choose a pasta that will hold its shape and texture in the soup without becoming too soft or mushy.

How can you make minestrone soup vegan?

Traditional minestrone soup may contain cheeses like parmesan or pecorino, the broth may be animal based (chicken or beef), and some versions of the classic soup may contain meat like pancetta. A plant-based minestrone soup can be made with vegetable broth and use nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese.

a close up photo of minestrone soup with kidney beans and cavatappi pasta noodles with a gold fork

๐ŸงŠ How to store and reheat

  1. Refrigerator storage: Store leftover minestrone in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  2. Freezer storage: Freeze in a freezer-friendly bag or container for up to 1 month. To thaw, remove from the freezer into the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating.
  3. Reheat instructions: To reheat, cook for 5 minutes on the stove or 2 minutes in the microwave.
a bowl of plant-based minestrone soup with nutritional yeast on top in a white bowl on a white table

๐Ÿ‘‰ More plant-based soup recipes

Want more vegan soup recipes? Try Radish Greens Vegetable Soup, Lemon White Bean Kale Orzo Soup, and White Bean Kale Quinoa Soup.

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NOT SURE WHERE TO START WITH PLANT-BASED EATING?

Get my 4-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan to start your journey on the plant path.

a white bowl of vegan minestrone soup on a white table with a gold fork

Vegan Minestrone Soup

Kristina Todini, RDN
Vegan Minestrone Soup, a plant-based take on the traditional Italian vegetable, bean, and pasta soup using nutritional yeast instead of cheese. Easy and ready in less than 40 minutes!
5 stars (3 ratings)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Soups + Stews
Cuisine Italian-Inspired, Vegan
Servings 6 servings
Calories 120 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large pot or Dutch oven

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 stalks celery sliced thin
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ cups kidney beans or white beans cooked, drained, and rinsed (or 1 can)
  • 1 cup green beans cut into ½ inch pieces
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried or fresh
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried or fresh
  • 1 cup dry small pasta noodle cavatappi, shells, or elbows
  • โ…“ cup fresh Italian parsley chopped
  • 1 pinch nutritional yeast for garnish
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional

Instructions
 

  • Cook aromatic vegetables: To a large pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and let heat. Then add sliced celery, diced onion, and sliced carrots and let the vegetables cook until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes. Then add minced garlic and a pinch of salt pepper, cooking 2-3 minutes more or until the garlic begins to brown and release it’s aromatic flavor.
  • Simmer soup: Add beans, green beans, tomatoes, vegetable, bay leaf, thyme, and oregano broth and stir ingredients to combine. Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Add pasta: Once soup has simmered, stir in pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes more, or until pasta is cooked to al dente. Once it’s cooked, stir in the parsley and taste the soup and adjust seasonings, if desired.
  • Serve soup: Serve soup in bowls with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and a pinch of spicy red pepper flakes (optional). Then enjoy!

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Prep ahead: This minestrone soup can be prepped up to five days ahead of time, or frozen for one month.
Leftovers and storage: Store leftover minestrone in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze in a freezer-friendly bag or container for up to 1 month. To thaw, remove from the freezer into the refrigerator for 24 hours before reheating. To reheat, cook for 5 minutes on the stove or 2 minutes in the microwave.
Nutrition notes: Nutrition information is an estimate using all listed ingredients. This recipe uses all plant-based ingredients and can be made gluten free by using gluten free pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 5gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 764mgPotassium: 280mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 859IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Keyword vegan minestrone soup
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