What to Serve with Minestrone Soup

What to Serve with Minestrone Soup – 10 best side dishes with this easy delicious classic soup the whole family will enjoy.

Minestrone Soup is one of my cool weather favorite soups and a great option for a main course any night of the week.

Today I’m not only sharing my favorite Minestone Soup recipe but the 10 best sides to pair with it for a complete meal the whole family can get behind.

Classic Minestrone Soup like Olive Garden, but better. So much better.

Below is the Minestrone Soup recipe I’ve been making for many years. My family loves it – I’m sure yours will too.

With a variety of vegetables, beans and pasta in an incredibly delicious tomato broth, it’s a great way to enjoy a nutritious meal that’s still loaded with comfort.

MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 3 large carrots chopped
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic grated
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup red wine dry, not sweet (cabernet or merlot are good)
• 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock (can use chicken broth or vegetable broth)
• 15 ounce canned chick peas
• 15 ounce canned dark red kidney beans
• 2 cups fresh spinach rough chopped
• 1 cup green beans fresh or frozen cut in bite size pieces
• 1/2 cup dry elbow macaroni, small shells or other small pasta
• 3 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
• fresh parmesan cheese (and the parmesan rind if yours has one)

HOW TO MAKE MINESTRONE SOUP:

Add the olive oil, onion, celery and carrots to a large pot then season with salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes over medium heat stirring occasionally.

Grate in the garlic then add the tomato paste and dry Italian seasoning and cook 2 minutes stirring frequently. Reduce the heat, pour in the wine and simmer 2 minutes letting the wine reduce. 

Next pour in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes and chicken stock. Drain the chick peas then drain and rinse the kidney beans and add to the broth. If your parmesan cheese came with a rind, cut it off and add it to the broth as well.

Increase the heat, bring to a boil, season with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ tsp pepper then reduce the heat cover and simmer 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

Fold in the spinach, green beans and pasta then continue simmering 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Remove any of the remaining rind (it will look like a cheesy gooey blob) then chop the fresh parsley and stir it in. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as you like.

Serve hot with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese grated over the top.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH MINESTRONE SOUP:

Below you’ll find some great side dishes to compliment a bowl of soup, starting simply with a fresh salad, some crusty bread or even classic grilled cheese.

Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

Warm, soft bread with a crispy bottom brushed with garlic-parmesan butter and finished with gooey melty mozzarella cheese.

Antipasto Salad

Romaine lettuce, salami, ham, provolone cheese, tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts and crispy chickpeas with a simple homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Air Fryer Mini Pizzas

Mini bagels topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese + all your favorites. Easy 10 minute kid-friendly recipe for the whole family.

Slow Cooker Applesauce

Easy homemade applesauce with just 4 ingredients. Make it the way you like – chunky or smooth.

Air Fryer Steakhouse Style Baked Potato

Crispy skin with fluffy soft potato inside cooked in the air fryer!

5 Ingredient Focaccia Bread

Fresh-baked focaccia from pre-made pizza dough – ready in under 30 minutes! Light and airy, topped with olive oil, fresh rosemary, sea salt and parmesan cheese.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Lightly crisp breaded zucchini fries – air fried in just 8 minutes.

Garlic Herb Butter

This Garlic Herb Butter is simple to make and is the perfect topping for whatever bread you’re enjoying. Keep it in mind for your holiday turkey as well!

Air Fryer Biscuits

Warm fresh-baked biscuits in just 8 minutes! Perfect from breakfast to dinner.

2 Ingredient Dough

Just plain Greek yogurt and flour – NO yeast. Easy recipe – makes great dinner rolls, bagels, breadsticks, pizza, naan and more.

VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:

If you want to change up this delicious soup next time you make it, below you’ll find a few suggestions.

• Use your favorite seasonal vegetables in the soup such as cubed butternut squash or zucchini.
• Add cut up cooked chicken breasts.
• Blend torn basil into the soup when you serve it for extra fresh herb flavor.
• Add cooked and crumbled Italian sausage.

CAN YOU FREEZE MINESTRONE SOUP?

Thick, hearty Minestrone Soup freezes well up to 3 months and is a welcome sight on a cold day (especially busy ones!).

I prefer freezing in individual freezer-safe containers (16-20 ounce). That size works best for me for lunch or dinner but for large families I’d recommend a larger container.

You can also store any leftover soup in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 3 days.

OTHER POPULAR SOUP RECIPES:

1. Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
2. Tomato Soup
3. Broccoli Cheese Soup
4. Fresh Salmon Chowder

Enjoy!

Do we share a love of easy, tasty recipes? LIKE ME on FACEBOOK, FOLLOW along on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST.  SUBSCRIBE here  ⇓ for all the latest recipes directly to your email box (no junk!). 

If you tried any of the 10 best side dishes or the Minestrone Soup recipe, then I hope you’ll leave a comment and some stars!