Italian Herb Vegetable Soup (Print Version)

Hearty Mediterranean soup with fresh vegetables and classic Italian herbs, ready in under an hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz), with juices
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
12 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves

→ Herbs and Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
17 - 1 bay leaf
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Additions

19 - 1 can cannellini beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
21 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Stir in sliced carrots, celery, diced zucchini, diced red bell pepper, and green beans. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and diced potato. Stir in oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.
05 - If using cannellini beans, add them to the pot and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat through.
06 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in spinach leaves and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you fussed over it for days.
  • Every vegetable has a voice here, but the herbs tie everything into a whisper that feels almost magical.
  • You can make a massive batch and freeze it, which means future you gets a gift from present you.
02 -
  • Don't skip the slow sauté of onion and garlic, because rushing this step robs the entire soup of its soul and you'll taste the difference immediately.
  • Taste constantly and adjust seasoning in small increments, because what seems perfect halfway through cooking might need another whisper of salt at the end.
03 -
  • Buy your herbs fresh if you can, because dried herbs older than six months start tasting like dust and they'll steal the life from your whole pot.
  • If you're making this for someone with dietary restrictions, remember that the broth is where hidden gluten sometimes hides, so read the label or make your own if you're unsure.
Go Back