This soup is pure comfort for me. Every time my family goes to Olive Garden, we order the Minestrone Soup before anything else. It's warm, hearty, and somehow tastes like home.
After years of being obsessed with it, I finally cracked their recipe and honestly, made it even better. Clean ingredients, big flavors, and just 5 minutes in the Instant Pot. You end up with a cozy, nourishing pot of soup that tastes like it simmered all day.
Minestrone literally means "big soup" in Italian. I love that name because it fits perfectly since this soup is chunky, hearty, and full of vegetables, beans, and pasta. It's the kind of soup that feels like a whole meal in one bowl.
Don't have an Instant Pot? The stovetop version is just as delicious. Pair it up with Olive Garden Breadsticks for an unbeatable combination.
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The recipe was originally published in Oct 2018. It has been refreshed with simpler instructions and Pro-tips.
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Ingredients for Minestrone Soup
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Carrots
- Celery sticks
- Zucchini
- Garlic cloves
- Pasta sauce
- Kidney beans
- White beans
- Vegetable broth or Water
- Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper
- Spinach leaves
- Shell pasta
Please check the recipe card for exact measurements
How To Make Olive Garden Minestrone
Instant Pot Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté (High). Heat olive oil.
- Add onion and garlic. Sauté 1 minute.
- Add zucchini, carrots, and celery. Sauté another minute.
- Add pasta sauce (or diluted tomato paste) and stir well.
- Press Cancel.
- Add beans, broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta shells. Mix.
- Lock the lid and pressure cook 5 minutes on High.
- Quick release.
- Add salt, pepper, and spinach. Stir to wilt.
- Serve hot with cheese and garlic bread.
Stove Top Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic. Cook 2 minutes.
- Add zucchini, carrots, and celery. Cook 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add pasta sauce (or diluted tomato paste), beans, broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium-low and simmer 12-15 minutes until pasta and veggies are tender.
- Add salt, pepper, and spinach at the end.
- Serve warm with cheese and garlic bread.
Is this Minestrone soup vegan?
We add cheese to our soup, but if you want to make it vegan, you can. To make it vegan, either skip adding cheese or use a vegan alternative.
Is minestrone supposed to be thick or brothy?
Honestly, it can be either. Traditional minestrone changes from region to region in Italy. I prefer mine slightly thick and hearty, with veggies that still hold their shape. If you want it more brothy, just add a little extra water or broth at the end.
Common Problems and their Solutions
| Mistake | Result | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Overcooking veggies | Mushy texture | Stick to 4 minutes pressure + 5 minutes natural release; this timing consistently keeps veggies firm. |
| Adding spinach before pressure cooking | Overcooked, wilted greens | Stir spinach in at the end. Heat from the soup softens them perfectly. |
| Not sautéing aromatics | Flat flavor | Always sauté onion, carrot, celery first; it builds a richer base I learned never to skip. |
| Too much liquid | Watery soup | Start with measured broth; you can always add more later if needed. |
For a hearty dinner with a Mexican twist, try out ranchero beans instant pot or borracho beans recipe in your Instant Pot
Top Tips
- Cut veggies evenly so everything cooks at the same rate.
- Sauté aromatics first as these builds flavor quickly.
- Don't overfill the Instant Pot; leave room for expansion.
- If reheating, add a splash of broth to refresh the texture.
Variation
There are lots of variations you can make to this soup. It is a hearty and forgiving soup that compliments a wide variety of beans and veggies. Here are some of our favorite combinations and additions.
- Vegetables: butternut squash, peas, asparagus, yellow squash, or green beans
- Beans: chickpeas, cannellini beans, black eye peas, barley, or millet
- Add-ons based on preference: pasta, tortellini, quinoa, or brown lentil
Storage
| Can It Be Stored? | How Long? | How to Store | Can It Be Frozen? | Freezer Storage Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 3–4 days in fridge | Store in airtight container; cool completely first | Yes | Freeze up to 2 months in freezer-safe containers; leave room for expansion |
How to serve
- Crusty whole-grain bread
- A side of garlic butter-free toast
- A simple green salad
- Veggie-packed quinoa salad
- Roasted vegetables for extra texture
Top Tip
- Always adjust salt at the end as tomato-based soups brighten with a final salt check
- Mash a few beans for natural thickness
Do I need pasta sauce for this recipe?
Pasta sauce gives this soup a rich, deep tomato base. But if you don't have it, a 6-oz can of tomato paste diluted with water works great. Just please don't use ketchup - it completely changes the flavor.
What vegetables work best in minestrone?
I like sticking to carrots, celery, zucchini, and spinach because they hold up really well. But minestrone is flexible - feel free to add peas, green beans, potatoes, or whatever you have on hand. It's a very forgiving soup.
Can I meal-prep minestrone?
Yes, and it reheats beautifully. The only trick: cook the pasta separately and add it right before serving. That keeps your soup from turning too thick in the fridge.
Can I freeze minestrone?
You can - just freeze it without pasta. The veggies and beans freeze well, and you can add fresh cooked pasta when reheating for the best texture.
How do I make the soup thicker?
Mash a spoonful or two of the beans and stir them back in. It naturally thickens the broth without needing cream or flour.
What makes this version better than Olive Garden?
Simple: cleaner ingredients, chunkier veggies, richer tomato flavor, and it takes just 5 minutes in the Instant Pot. It tastes homemade in the best possible way.
Love soup? Try out these awesome Instant Pot Vegetable Soup options
Made it, tag it
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Minestrone Soup - Instant pot and Stove Top
Servings:
peopleCalories:
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 1 carrot medium - chopped into bite-size chunks
- 2 celery sticks chopped into bite-size chunks
- 1 zucchini medium - chopped into bite-size chunks
- 2 garlic cloves minced or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 4 cups pasta sauce store-bought
- 1 can kidney beans drained & rinsed (14 oz)
- 1 can white beans drained & rinsed (optional)
- 7 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups spinach leaves
- ½ cup small shell pasta
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté (High). Heat olive oil.
- Add onion and garlic. Sauté 1 minute.
- Add zucchini, carrots, and celery. Sauté another minute.
- Add pasta sauce (or diluted tomato paste) and stir well.
- Press Cancel.
- Add beans, broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta shells. Mix.
- Lock the lid and pressure cook 5 minutes on High.
- Quick release.
- Add salt, pepper, and spinach. Stir to wilt.
- Serve hot with cheese and garlic bread.
Video
Notes
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic. Cook 2 minutes.
- Add zucchini, carrots, and celery. Cook 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add pasta sauce (or diluted tomato paste), beans, broth, Italian seasoning, and pasta.
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium-low and simmer 12-15 minutes until pasta and veggies are tender.
- Add salt, pepper, and spinach at the end.
- Serve warm with cheese and garlic bread.
Annissa says
A filling and hearty soup that's perfect for chilly evenings. Looks so delish!
Sue | the view from great island says
I'm in love with my IP but I haven't tried making soup in it yet, this is a must make today, love all those chunky veggies 🙂
heidymccllum says
I just bought and Insta pot and have been loving it to death, we have made about 4 or 5 recipes in it and I can't wait to try your recipe for soup.
Beth Neels says
I am totally crazy about this minestrone! I wish I had an instant pot! I totally have to get one! I mean, making this delicious, healthy soup in 6 minutes is crazy!
Real Food Real Deals says
This looks perfect for fall! I love the short cook time in the Instant Pot.
Katie says
I love minestrone soup! It's delicious and perfect for the season- and you made it in an instant pot! This makes you a hero in my book!
Jessica Formicola says
I love Instant Pot soups like this! So quick and easy!
Alrm says
1 can..... what size 14 oz? 28 oz?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Alem we have used 14 Oz can.
Jenna says
I was looking for hearty Fall soup to make in the instant pot. Happy to be adding this to my recipe collection. Going to try it this weekend.
Caroline says
Minestrone is such a classic, I can see the IP being great to help speed it up a little. Looks good!
Monica says
Oh, I just love how quick and easy this is - and a healthy comfort food, to boot! Perfect as our weather (finally!) turns cooler this fall!
elishaenoksen says
I love my Instant Pot and Minestrone! This post is a match made in heaven! 🙂
confettiandbliss says
I love a hearty warm minestrone soup! This looks like a fabulous recipe. So perfect for the cold-weather months.
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Confettiandbliss.. hope you give it a try soon 🙂
Luci Cook says
Perfect for the cooler weather. Easy to make and delicious.
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Luci, hope you give it a try 🙂
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
This looks so good! This is perfect for this fall weather!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Marlynn! It's a evergreen soup recipe but loved more in fall and winters 🙂 😉
No Compass Necessary says
Love instant pot recipes - this soup looks great, perfect timing for fall!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks ?
Julie Green Davis says
Perfect for this time a year. Cannot wait to try it.
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Julie! Do share your experience with us ?
lacyngo says
I love Minestrone Soup and this one looks so good!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks lacyngo.. hope you give this version a try 🙂
Megan says
This looks so delicious! And thank you for including directions for those of us without an instant pot! I know so many people love them, but I have such limited kitchen storage space right now, I'm trying to hold out on the purchase! This soup looks so good, I'm definitely going to have to try it!
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks megan! This recipe is original was made on a stove top but during to high demand or should I say obsession about this gadget 😉 we decided to make it in it too 🙂 do give it a try you won't be disappointed ? ?
Janet says
Looking for stovetop recipe of minestrone soup!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Janet, here you go this is the recipe for stove top minestrone soup
https://thebellyrulesthemind.net/one-pot-minestrone-soup/
Enjoy and stay warm xoxo
Brittany Poulson says
I wouldn't have thought to add tomato sauce to this. I always add the diced tomatoes but not the sauce. I bet it adds a level a "creaminess" to the soup more than just having the broth does!
Kasey Ma says
Yum! I love soup, and now that’s its chilly outside I’m gonna have to try this out. :))
Kasey Ma
TheStyleWright.com
Tabitha Blue says
This looks so comforting and delicious!!! And definitely makes me want to get an instant pot... sooner than later!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
How wonderfully rich this looks! I love all the veggies, and love the homemade version!
Whitney Kutch says
This looks delicious! Instant Pots are such a great timesaver.
Stephanie says
five stars! better than olive garden!!!! this is going to be a staple recipe for me, for sure
Deanna says
Made this last night. Followed the recipe exactly and it was delicious! Thank you for sharing!
the belly rules the mind says
Hey Deanna , we are so glad to hear that 🙂 XOXO
Sumy says
Soup looks delicious. Could you please help me with a substitute for vegetable broth in instant pot ?
The belly rules the mind says
Hi Sumy, Thanks it's indeed super delicious! We have shared it in the post too.. you can add water instead of veggie broth 🙂
Susan Wygmans says
Wow - just made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious! I made it according to the recipe and we loved it. Next time I would add a 1/4 cup more pasta just cuz I like pasta!
Swati says
Hi,
What are the substitutes for canned timatoto and tomato sauce. I don't use canned stuff.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Swati , you can use 3 tbsp tomato paste and dilute it in water. You can even make tomato sauce at home by boiling 4 large tomatoes in hot water remove the skin and seeds and make a puree.
BLevinston says
I tried this last month and it was absolutely fantastic! Because I use it as a main entree, I increased the amount of the specified veggies. I also used a whole wheat large penne pasta. This soup was far better than the one Olive Garden serves. Because it was a large batch in the Hot Pot, I froze it in containers. Took one out last week for dinner and it was just as good.....including the pasta I had originally added.
Stuti says
Soup was delicious.followed your recipe and was super happy with the result. it was much better than Olive garden.Would definitely recommend to others to try this.
Thank you for posting.
Soniya Saluja says
Hey Stuti, we are so glad to hear that! The best part about this Homemade minestrone soup is you want what you are adding and controlling the sodium in it too.
Hope you try more recipes from our blog and share your feedback with us❤️
XOXO
Colleen E McCune says
Making the soup today in my instapot to freeze for the colder nights when I don't wanna make anything. I added some smoked beef sausage and chopped bell pepper. It's on high pressure right now getting ready to cook and I can't wait to taste the end result. Looks totally yummy! ??
the belly rules the mind says
Hi Colleen < that sounds super delicious !! Thanks for trying it and taking your time out to share your feedback with us 🙂
Sylwia says
Thank you Sonia for this beautiful soup. It was a new soup in our family but everyone loves it and now I make it regularly <3
Leena Bendale says
making this today...Thanks dear for the recipe
Soniya Saluja says
Hey lena, do share your feedback with us 🙂 xoxo
Samantha says
Can this recipe for the instant pot be doubled and frozen?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Samantha, You can easily double the recipe. We prefer not to add the pasta when we make a batch to freeze. Leftovers can be frozen.
Saadia says
Thanks for a great recipe.i tried a low carb version ( but with beans) and turned out well. One question , do you use air fryer ? I have been looking for air fryer Pakistani recipes and don’t see many. If you are interested feel free to share them on a FB group with same name - air fryer Pakistani recipes.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Saadia, so glad to hear that.. hope you try other low carb recipes from our blog too.
Soniya Saluja says
Awesome!Yes we have air fryer recipes Nd would love to share it with you all Thanks will join the group.
Scarlet says
I made it exactly as directed and it turned out great! Delicious and healthy, my husband and I both enjoyed it. We used Zoup brand vegetable broth.
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Scarlet for sharing your feedback with us...hope you try other re recipes from our blog.
Marie B says
Quick, easy and delicious! Made tonight for dinner, and the family loved it! ❤️
Nancy says
I made this last night! It was fantastic.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Nancy, we are so glad to hear your feedback!
MeganS says
Delicious soup! Easy to follow recipe. I would definitely make again. And it definitely helped clean out the vegetable drawer.
Carissa says
Hi! If I want to leave the pasta out should the broth amount be reduced to account for what would usually be absorbed by the pasta?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Carissa, add 1 cup less of water or broth and you should be good. Perfect veggies soup. Hope this helps
Jen M says
This was super delicious! My husband really loved it too and he rarely eats my vegan food. He said it tasted like Olive Garden. I used only cannellini beans and then kale as the green. I made elbow pasta separately and just add what I want to my bowl. I used the instant pot which maybe next time I would do maybe 4 minutes because the beans were almost mush (canned beans). And I used 1 cup or so less of water. I WILL be making this all winter long. Thanks!
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Jen, Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us 🙂 xoxo
CruznV says
“Italian Spices”, can vary so much In flavors by Brand and varied spices used in a
store bought Blend. Do you make your own Italian Spice Blend or can you suggest a preferred Store Bought Italian Spice Blend for the recipe.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Cruz, we use Mccormick Italian seasoning blend.. hope this helps!
Amrita says
Hi Sonia, i made the soup last night it tastes good. I just wanted to know about the consistency of the soup mine was very watery. Is it like that or mine was wrong.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Amrita, glad you liked the minestrone soup... the thickness depends on the water/broth and pasta in the soup.. if you like a thicker soup add 1 cup less water and few extra tbsp of the Tomato sauce.Hope this helps 🙂
sonia says
The soup is looking amazing. It is one of our favorite comfort foos/soup as well. Thanks for sharing.
Kristin says
I really enjoyed the flavor of this soup and the ease of preparing it. I added a total of one cup of pasta as the 1/2 cup didn't seem sufficient for the volume of soup being made and now that it's done I'm glad I did as 1/2 cup of pasta would not have been enough for my taste. One suggestion is to specify baby spinach in the ingredient list (it's referred to as just spinach leaves in the ingredient list but as baby spinach in the directions). Also it took 6 minutes for the quick release to complete and I would say prep time is more on the order of 10 minutes so the total time for me was more around 22 minutes. All in all a nice hearty meal for a winter night.
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your feedback with us. Xoxo
Deborah says
This soup is totally delicious. It is one of the best soups going. It makes a big pot and we are lucky if we have some leftovers. I sometimes add sausage for a meat meal too. Easy delicious and healthy.
jason says
Hello ... Made this last night and it was good. Though I'm confused on the broth amount. I ended up using 4 cups and with the tomato sauce it hit the max fill line. Is it really 7 cups of broth?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Jason, glad to hear you enjoyed it. What size IP did you use .. sounds like a 3qt. This recipecus fir 6 at or 8 at. Hipes this answers your question.
Kathleen Corden says
How many people does this recipe serve?
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Kathleen, it serves 4-6 people
Kerrie says
Hi there, I live in Australia & our version of tomato sauce comes in a plastic bottle like mustard, you squeeze on a pie. ?
Can you suggest a replacement? Is it like a passata (just puréed tomatoes, no meat) or is it like an Italian Bolognese pasta sauce (with meat )
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Kerri, you can use tomato puree or tomato paste. If using tomato paste dilute it in the broth or water.hope this helps
iDon says
Came out great! I added two bay leaves, doubled the carrots, celery & pasta to 1 cup, spinach to 2 cups and vegetable broth to 8 cups or (2) 32oz containers) Thank You! ?
iDon says
@iDon, (1) 15 oz can of Hunts no salt added tomato sauce and (1) can of Hunts fire roasted tomatoes too. Topped off with some grated Parmesan & a side of garlic bread, Yummo!!
Jennifer says
Making this soup now in the insta pot the whole house smells amazing can’t wait to taste it.
Soniya Saluja says
Thanks Jennifer! You have to try our olive garden breadsticks 🙂 they are amazing ?
Gayatri says
Hi , how much time need to pressure cook if I used soaked beans and not the canned one??
Soniya Saluja says
Hi Gayatri, if you are using soaked beans it would need 20 minutes of pressure cook time. Make sure you don't add the pasta with the beans add them after 15 minutes of cook time. Coz pasta just takes 5 minutes. Or you can cook the pasta on stovetop and add it in the end after the beans are cooked.Hope this helps!
Monica says
This was.perfect taste better then Olive Garden Soup because the broth was a little thicker which I prefer. I stuck to the receipe but added chopped spinach at the end so it didn’t wilt too much. I added bay leaf .
Janet says
How would you adjust the ingredients for the 3qt IP.
Liz S says
Here in Canada there are not the selection of 14 oz tomatoes or sauce or canned beans so i hope i split them correctly,,,,,most are 28 oz. Also it seems a lot of broth (7 cups) ..
It looks good but i will let my Italian husband be the judge !!!!
slb says
this is delicious. and other than the prep work which Im getting used to, it was fast fast fast. very well received by those who ate it.