Authentic Italian Minestrone Soup: A Hearty, Heritage-Inspired Recipe (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

As the years pass, I find myself relying less and less on written recipes in my kitchen. This intuitive approach to cooking is a beautiful legacy, one I wholeheartedly attribute to my mother and my nonna (grandmother).

Neither of these incredible women ever needed a cookbook or a printed sheet to guide them. They possessed an inherent culinary wisdom, a deep-seated knowledge that allowed them to create mouthwatering dishes. This wasn’t just about taste; it was about an intuitive understanding of ingredients, passed down through generations. They observed their own mothers and nonnas, absorbing centuries of Italian cooking tradition, and cooked from the heart, guided by experience and a profound connection to their heritage.

It has taken me many years to truly embrace this philosophy in my own kitchen!

While I never wish to sound arrogant, my deepest aspiration in my cucina (kitchen) is to reach the level of my talented, yet humble, Italian ancestors. Their ability to transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals is something I constantly strive for. The only true measure of success isn’t a perfect replica of a recipe, but rather the visible pleasure and satisfied smiles of my family and guests after enjoying a meal I’ve prepared with love.

Minestrone, a quintessential Italian soup, has been a staple in my cooking for decades. Over the years, I’ve even misplaced the original written recipe I created for it. Yet, the recipe lives on – not on paper, but within my heart and long-term memory, just as it did for my mother and Nonna. This classic soup embodies the spirit of Italian home cooking: wholesome, flavorful, and incredibly comforting.

The beauty of Italian Minestrone soup lies in its fundamental structure. Almost every authentic recipe you encounter will share a similar core: a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables, rich tomatoes, and fragrant herbs, all gently simmered in a savory broth. It’s a dish that celebrates seasonal produce, making it endlessly adaptable and always delicious. This flexibility is what makes Minestrone a truly special and timeless meal, a reflection of the bounty of the earth.

For this particular feature, I opted for my trusty Instant Pot to prepare this batch of Minestrone. Its convenience allows for quicker cooking times without compromising on flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights. I’m delighted to share a step-by-step photographic guide to help you recreate this delicious soup with ease. However, please know that I have a fondness for traditional methods, and there’s nothing quite like the comforting sight and aroma of Italian goodness simmering gently on a hot stove. Rest assured, this recipe is absolutely perfect for stovetop preparation – just allow a little extra time for those flavors to meld beautifully.

To begin our journey into crafting this authentic Italian Minestrone, we’ll start with the aromatic foundation. First, activate the ‘sauté’ function on your Instant Pot. Add approximately 4 tablespoons of good quality extra-virgin olive oil along with about ¼ cup of high-quality butter. This combination is characteristic of Northern Italian cooking, lending a richer, deeper flavor profile that elevates the entire soup. The butter adds a luxurious creaminess that complements the robust olive oil, creating a truly irresistible base.

Once the Instant Pot is heated and the butter has melted, pour in the olive oil, allowing it to shimmer slightly.

Next, add the finely chopped onions and fragrant minced garlic to the pot. These essential aromatics will soften and release their sweet and pungent notes, forming the foundational layer of flavor for our Minestrone. Sauté them gently until translucent and fragrant.

Now, it’s time to build on that foundation. Add the diced carrots to the pot. Carrots provide a touch of natural sweetness and a beautiful earthy flavor that is crucial for a well-rounded Minestrone. Stir them in with the onions and garlic, allowing them to begin to soften.

Continue layering the flavors by adding the chopped celery to the pot. Celery, along with onions and carrots, forms the classic ‘soffritto’ – the aromatic base of countless Italian dishes. Its slightly bitter and savory notes balance the sweetness of the carrots and onions, contributing to the depth of flavor.

For an extra layer of savory richness, especially favored in many traditional Italian kitchens, add 4 to 8 ounces of chopped pancetta. If you’re preparing a vegetarian version of this Minestrone, you can simply omit the pancetta without sacrificing much flavor, as the vegetables and cheese will provide plenty of richness. However, for those who enjoy it, the pancetta crisps up beautifully, rendering its fat and infusing the entire dish with a wonderful, salty depth.

Now, gently stir all of these incredible ingredients together and allow them to sauté for about 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for softening the vegetables and allowing their flavors to begin merging. As they cook, you’ll notice a magical transformation happening in your kitchen.

Take a moment to truly enjoy the wonderful aroma that fills your home – a testament to the authentic Italian flavors beginning to develop. Once sautéed, turn the Instant Pot to “Keep Warm” and adjust the heat setting to “Less” to prepare for adding the remaining vegetables without overcooking the initial aromatics.

With the base established, we continue to add the fresh bounty of vegetables. Add the chopped zucchini to the pot. Zucchini adds a delicate sweetness and tender texture to the soup, absorbing the flavors of the broth as it cooks.

Next, introduce the fresh green beans. Their crisp-tender texture and vibrant green color will add a lovely contrast and wholesome goodness to the Minestrone. They cook perfectly in the Instant Pot, retaining their bite.

Now, it’s time for the potatoes. Add the diced potatoes to the mix. Potatoes contribute a wonderful heartiness and body to the soup, thickening the broth slightly and offering a comforting texture. They absorb the rich flavors, becoming incredibly satisfying.

For a boost of freshness and nutrients, add the slivers of spinach. Spinach wilts quickly and adds a beautiful green hue to the soup, along with a mild, earthy flavor that complements the other vegetables perfectly.

Continuing with the green vegetables, add the chopped cabbage to the Instant Pot. Cabbage is a traditional and delightful addition to Minestrone, offering a slightly sweet and robust flavor that stands up well to simmering. It contributes to the soup’s hearty texture and overall goodness.

No Italian soup is complete without tomatoes. Add the diced tomatoes to the mixture. The tomatoes provide a crucial balance of acidity and sweetness, forming the heart of the Minestrone’s rich broth. For the best flavor, I recommend using imported Italian diced tomatoes, such as San Marzano, or even better, fresh, ripe, home-grown tomatoes from your garden when in season.

To infuse the soup with vibrant herbaceousness, add one bunch of Italian parsley, with stems removed and finely chopped. Italian parsley brightens the overall flavor profile and adds a fresh, aromatic finish that is characteristic of authentic Italian cooking.

For the hearty, satisfying element that makes Minestrone so filling, add the cannellini, garbanzo, and kidney beans. These beans contribute protein, fiber, and a wonderful texture, making the soup a complete and nourishing meal. Ensure they are drained and rinsed thoroughly before adding.

Here’s a secret ingredient that truly elevates the flavor: add a large chunk of Parmigiano cheese rind. This will melt into the broth as the soup cooks, imparting an incredible depth of umami and a subtle cheesy richness. Then, fill the Instant Pot with chicken or vegetable broth, stopping about 2 inches below the top fill line. Finally, add the fresh sage at this stage as well, its earthy aroma will permeate the broth beautifully.

Once all the ingredients are in the pot, securely place the lid on the Instant Pot. Select the ‘soup’ setting and allow the pot to work its magic for a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to an hour for even deeper flavor development. While your Minestrone simmers to perfection, you can relax and enjoy the comforting aromas. Once cooking is complete, carefully open the lid, ensuring the steam releases away from your face to prevent any burns. Finally, add the pasta directly into the hot soup and let it cook with the lid off until it reaches an ‘al dente’ texture. This ensures the pasta cooks perfectly without becoming mushy.

When it’s time to serve this exquisite Minestrone, ladle generous portions into individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh Italian parsley, adding a final touch of color and aroma. For an authentic Italian experience, pass around freshly-grated Parmigiano cheese, allowing your guests to add as much as they desire to their bowls. The melting Parmesan will further enhance the soup’s richness, making every spoonful a delight.

One of the most rewarding aspects of sharing my recipes is hearing back from you, my wonderful readers. Every now and then, I receive heartfelt messages detailing your experiences and the joy my recipes bring to your lives and the tables of those you serve with love.

Recently, I received a message from Pat, who enthusiastically shared, “I just finished making this amazing soup in my Instant Pot, and it is fabulous!!”

A month later, in January, Pat wrote to me again, reinforcing her love for the recipe: “I have cooked this recipe for Classic Italian Minestrone Soup several times since I saw the recipe on www.italianbellavita.com. This soup is amazing, and the fact that the recipe can be done in the Instant Pot makes it even more appealing. This is my favorite Minestrone recipe; I can’t say enough good things about it!! Thank you, Roz Corieri Paige, for your delicious recipe. Looking forward to trying them all!”

Another inspiring story came from Chris, who took on the incredible task of preparing this Minestrone Soup for 80 people! Yes, you read that correctly – eighty people for a church dinner and get-together. After my own family, cooking for my church friends and community is one of my greatest honors. Chris reached out to me before the event, saying:

“Hi Roz!
I need to make about 80 servings, so I’ll multiply by 8 or so to fill my bathtub.., I am half Italian myself, and love to cook… I have a recipe I have used for years, but yours sounded too good not to make! Thank you! I’ll let you know how it goes – it will be made on Wednesday for a Thursday Lenten supper.”

And true to her word, after her church’s Lenten supper, Chris sent another wonderful message:

“Obviously, we had some soup left over, as we had prepared two soups (both 80 servings worth), but your Minestrone was VERY well received, and I am still getting compliments on it. Thank you for your posts with those great recipes! This one has been ‘saved’, and I have your blog in my favorites.”

What an honor! I am so incredibly delighted that you brought such happiness to so many parishioners, Chris!

The praise extends to social media as well; on Pinterest, Stephanie commented: “This soup turned out amazing!” These testimonials truly warm my heart, affirming the power of traditional Italian cooking to bring joy and comfort to many.

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