Giada Minestrone Soup Recipe

Giada De Laurentiis has long been a favorite celebrity chef, known for her delicious Italian dishes with a modern twist. One of her signature recipes, Giada Minestrone Soup, brings together the heartiness of classic Italian comfort food with a burst of fresh, vibrant flavors. Minestrone soup is a beautiful medley of vegetables, beans, pasta, and often a savory broth, making it a perfect dish for any season. Whether you’re looking for a warming meal for a chilly evening or something wholesome to serve up for a weeknight dinner, this recipe checks all the boxes.

What makes Giada’s version of minestrone soup stand out is its balance of simplicity and sophistication. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of flavors and textures-from the tender vegetables to the al dente pasta and the creamy beans. And, while the soup may seem like a rustic dish, it is elevated by Giada’s careful use of fresh, high-quality ingredients and her understanding of how to layer flavors for maximum impact.

In this post, we’ll dive into her version of minestrone soup, offering you a complete recipe, ingredient breakdown, cooking instructions, expert tips, and even some fun variations to customize it to your tastes.

Giada’s Minestrone Soup is a great representation of the classic Italian dish. It’s loaded with a variety of vegetables, beans, and a rich broth, making it a filling meal that’s perfect for any time of the year. The recipe balances lightness with depth, featuring fresh ingredients and simple seasonings that let each element shine.

Here’s how you can recreate this delicious, satisfying soup in your own kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

Before you begin, gather the following ingredients. They come together to create a beautiful soup that’s loaded with veggies, beans, and plenty of flavor:

Olive oil (about 2 tablespoons): Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables.
Onion (1 medium): Chopped, it forms the aromatic base of the soup.
Carrot (2 medium): Peeled and chopped, they give the soup a natural sweetness.
Celery (2 stalks): Adds a subtle earthy flavor that balances the sweetness of the carrots.
Zucchini (1 medium): Provides a fresh and slightly crisp texture.
Potatoes (2 small, such as Yukon Gold): Diced into small cubes to give the soup body and a bit of heartiness.
Garlic (3 cloves): Minced, it infuses the soup with a fragrant depth.
Canned diced tomatoes (1 can, 14.5 oz): The tomatoes add acidity and a rich base to the broth.
Cannellini beans (1 can, 15 oz): These creamy white beans are traditional in minestrone and offer a velvety texture.
Vegetable broth (4 cups): A rich, savory base that makes the soup flavorful. You can also use chicken broth for added depth.
Pasta (1 cup small shapes like ditalini or elbow pasta): A crucial element that makes the soup hearty and filling.
Fresh spinach (2 cups): Added near the end of cooking, it adds color, flavor, and nutrition.
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, for serving): Optional but recommended for finishing with a rich, salty touch.
Salt and pepper: For seasoning to taste.
Fresh basil or parsley (optional): For garnish and an extra layer of fresh flavor.

Cooking Instructions

Let’s get cooking! Giada’s Minestrone Soup is pretty easy to prepare, even though it may seem like there are a lot of steps. Here’s how you bring it all together:

Sauté The Vegetables
- Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrot, celery, and zucchini. Season with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Add The Tomatoes And Broth
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices) and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and let it cook for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Incorporate Beans And Potatoes
- Add the cannellini beans (drained and rinsed) and the diced potatoes. Stir everything together, and let it simmer for another 10 minutes or so, until the potatoes are tender.
Cook The Pasta
- Stir in the pasta and cook until it is al dente, about 8-10 minutes (depending on the type of pasta you choose). If you like your pasta softer, you can cook it a little longer.
Finish The Soup
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the fresh spinach. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Ingredient Insights

Now that you have the recipe, let’s take a deeper look at the ingredients Giada uses in her Minestrone Soup. Understanding the role of each component helps elevate the dish and brings a new appreciation for its flavor balance.

Cannellini Beans: These white beans are known for their creamy texture and mild flavor, which help thicken the soup and provide protein and fiber. They hold their shape well in soups, making them a go-to choice for minestrone.
Zucchini and Carrots: These vegetables add color, texture, and a natural sweetness that contrasts with the acidity of the tomatoes. Zucchini also releases water as it cooks, helping to create a more fluid base.
Tomatoes: The addition of canned tomatoes (particularly diced ones) provides that essential tangy base for the soup, balancing the sweetness of the vegetables with their acidity and umami.
Spinach: Fresh spinach adds both a vibrant green color and an earthy flavor. It also provides a nutritional boost, offering plenty of iron, fiber, and vitamins.

Expert Tips

Giada’s Minestrone Soup is relatively simple, but here are a few expert tips to ensure your soup turns out perfectly:

Use Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs can work in a pinch, fresh basil or parsley adds a burst of brightness that complements the soup’s richness. Try adding them just before serving to retain their fresh flavor.
Broth Matters: The flavor of your broth plays a big role in the soup’s final taste. Use a high-quality vegetable or chicken broth, preferably low-sodium, so you can control the saltiness of the dish.
Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Minestrone is best when the pasta is al dente, so be sure to watch the cooking time closely. Overcooked pasta can get mushy and break down in the soup.
Add Cheese: Parmesan cheese isn’t just for garnishing-it also adds richness and depth to the broth. For an extra luxurious touch, you can even toss a Parmesan rind into the soup as it simmers.
Make it Ahead: Like most soups, Giada’s Minestrone tastes even better the next day. If you have time, let the soup cool and then refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavors to meld. Just be sure to reheat gently, as the pasta can absorb too much liquid over time.

Recipe Variations

While Giada’s Minestrone is a crowd-pleaser on its own, you can also customize it based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Here are some ideas:

Add Meat: For a heartier version, consider adding cooked ground sausage, bacon, or pancetta. Brown it first, and then add it with the vegetables to infuse the broth with savory flavor.
Swap the Vegetables: Feel free to swap or add other vegetables like green beans, peas, or kale. If you prefer a more robust flavor, try adding a few sun-dried tomatoes for depth.
Different Beans: While cannellini beans are the classic choice, you can experiment with kidney beans, garbanzo beans, or even lentils for a different twist.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta or rice if you’re avoiding gluten. Be mindful that gluten-free pasta often cooks faster, so check it early to avoid overcooking.

Final Words

Giada’s Minestrone Soup is a beautiful representation of the heart and soul of Italian cooking: simple ingredients, transformed into something rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or planning a cozy weekend meal, this recipe will never disappoint. The combination of fresh vegetables, creamy beans, and savory broth is an unbeatable comfort food, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Giada Minestrone Soup Recipe