The Best Minestrone Soup Recipe (IP & Stovetop Instructions)

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I love minestrone soup because you can mix together any veggies you have on hand.  This recipe is adapted from one my brother makes, which is always delicious! You can also make this soup your own with any ingredients you enjoy!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is a great comfort food without all the calories.  The sausage adds protein and the soup is also loaded with veggies.

You can also make this soup as spicy as you like it.  It has a bit of a kick due to the Rotel tomatoes & cayenne pepper.  You can tone it down by using plain diced tomatoes & leaving out the pepper if you choose.

You can also choose to make this in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop with the instructions below. Here are the ones I prefer:
Instant Pot
Ceramic Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Regardless, you’ll be enjoying delicious minestrone soup in no time!

Ingredients

There are quite a few ingredients in this soup, but you probably have a majority of them in your pantry.

Again, you can add or remove any ingredients you like.  That’s the beauty of minestrone soup!

Here’s a list of the ingredients I use:

• 1lb ground italian sausage
• 1 Yellow onion (diced)
• 3 Celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 Large carrots (diced)
• 3 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 Russet potatoes (diced)
• 1 can of Green beans (15.5oz)
• 2 cans of Rotel (20oz)
• 1 can Red kidney beans (15.5oz – drained)
• 1 can White great northern beans (15.5 oz – drained)
• 1 small can Tomato paste (6oz)
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 1.5 Tablespoons Thyme
• 1.5 Tablespoons Oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons Olive oil (bacon grease or butter work well too!)

How To Make Minestrone Soup In The Instant Pot

Making minestrone soup in the Instant Pot is easy to do.  It also gives it a great flavor!

1. Saute Vegetables

First, you’re going to turn your Instant Pot onto the Saute function.  Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil & let heat for 1 minute.

Next, add celery, onion, & carrots to the pot.  Let those saute for 3-4 minutes.  You’ll want the onions to start to look translucent.

After the veggies are sauteed, spread them around to the outside of the pot.  You want an empty space in the center of the pot.  

Pour your garlic into the center of the pot.  Then, pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil directly onto the garlic.  Let that brown for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is nice and fragrant.

2. Brown Meat

Once the veggies are sauteed, it is time to add your meat.  Add the Italian sausage right in with the veggies in the pot.  Make sure to use your spoon to grind it as it browns.

3. Add Canned Foods, Broth, Potatoes, & Spices

At this point, you can pour in your canned foods.  Add the green beans & Rotel first.  Let those heat up for 1 minute.

Then, add your red kidney beans and great northern beans to the pot, along with the spices & tomato paste.  Since you’re cooking on the stovetop, you might want to add half the amount of seasonings.  Instant Pots require more seasoning than when cooking on the stovetop.

Lastly, add the potatoes & pour in your chicken broth.  Give everything a good stir.

4. Pressure Cook

Now it’s time to place your lid on the Instant Pot.  Make sure the valve is set to closed & set your pot to manual pressure for 20 minutes.

Your pot will take about 15 minutes to come to pressure & then it will start timing the cook.  Let it cook for 20 minutes.  

When the timer goes off, let it naturally release for 10 minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy

After the pot naturally releases for 10 minutes, you can flip the valve to open.  Let it release all of the pressure. Do a taste test & add salt & pepper if necessary.

Then, it’s time to enjoy it!

How To Make Minestrone Soup On the Stovetop

Making minestrone soup on the stovetop is very similar to the Instant Pot  You’ll just manually simmer it to soften the vegetables.

1. Saute Vegetables

First, you’re going to heat a large soup pot over medium heat.  Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil & let heat for 1 minute.

Next, add celery, onion, & carrots to the pot.  Let those saute for 3-4 minutes.  You’ll want the onions to start to look translucent.

After the veggies are sauteed, spread them around to the outside of the pot.  You want an empty space in the center of the pot.  

Pour your garlic into the center of the pot.  Then, pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil directly onto the garlic.  Let that brown for 2-3 minutes until the garlic is nice and fragrant.

2. Brown Meat

Once the veggies are sauteed, it is time to add your meat.  Add the Italian sausage right in with the veggies in the pot.  Make sure to use your spoon to grind it as it browns.

3. Add Canned Foods, Broth, Potatoes, & Spices

At this point, you can pour in your canned foods.  Add the green beans & Rotel first.  Let those heat up for 1 minute.

Then, add your red kidney beans and great northern beans to the pot, along with the spices & tomato paste.

Lastly, add the potatoes & pour in your chicken broth.  Give everything a good stir.

4. Simmer

Turn your stove to medium-high heat and bring your soup to a simmer.  Once it starts to bubble, turn the heat down a tad and let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll want to stir the soup occasionally during this time.  You’ll know it’s ready when the potatoes are soft enough to poke a fork into.

5. Serve And Enjoy

When the soup is ready, you can serve it immediately.  Add more salt and pepper if needed.  Enjoy!

Tips For Making

• Minestrone soup is a mix of many different ingredients.  Throw anything you want into it!  Noodles, chopped zucchini, spinach, etc.
• For an even quicker recipe, brown the meat and then toss everything else into the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 20 minutes.  I like to saute the vegetables at the beginning because it gives it a really robust flavor, but it’s not crucial.
• If you’re making this on the stove top, you might want to use less seasoning.  The Instant Pot soaks up seasonings, but the stovetop might make them seem over powering.
• Serves well with bread, sandwiches, or salad.
• Garnish with shredded cheese and parsley.
• If you don’t want it to be spicy, replace the Rotel with plain diced tomatoes.

Looking For More Recipes?

Cast Iron Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
One Pot Rigatoni With Spicy Italian Sausage
Red Hot & Blue Potato Salad Copycat Recipe
Instant Pot Creamy Ground Beef & Potato Soup

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