The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
When the first real winter chill settles in, there’s one pot I always reach for Minestrone Winter Soup. I still remember standing in my tiny Paris apartment, radiators humming, windows fogged, stirring a bubbling pot of vegetables and beans while snowflakes danced outside. That first spoonful felt like a wool blanket wrapped around my soul 🥣❄️.
This Minestrone Winter Soup isn’t the light, summery version you might sip in July. Oh no, my friend this one is hearty, cozy, deeply nourishing, and built for cold nights when you want something filling but still wholesome. It’s packed with tender vegetables, creamy beans, warming herbs, and a rich tomato broth that tastes even better the next day (hello leftovers 😍).
I’ve been making Minestrone Winter Soup for years now, tweaking it as I moved across the Atlantic. In America, winters feel different longer drives, cozier kitchens, bigger pots — and this soup adapted beautifully. It became my go-to for Sunday meal prep, casual dinner parties, and even nights when I just needed comfort in a bowl.
If you’re craving a soup that’s rustic, forgiving, and deeply satisfying, this Minestrone Winter Soup is about to become your cold-weather best friend.
🛒 Ingredients
One of my favorite things about this soup is how flexible it is. Think of it as a warm hug that welcomes whatever vegetables you have on hand 🤍.
Vegetables
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion, diced
- Carrots, sliced
- Celery stalks, chopped
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Zucchini, diced
- Yukon gold potatoes, cubed
- Green cabbage or kale, chopped
Pantry Staples
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- Cannellini beans
- Red kidney beans
- Small pasta (ditalini or elbow)
Herbs & Seasonings
- Bay leaf
- Dried oregano
- Dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional but cozy 🔥)
To Finish
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- A squeeze of lemon (trust me!)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
This Minestrone Winter Soup comes together slowly and lovingly no rushing here.
Step 1: Build the base
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes. This is where the magic starts — your kitchen will smell incredible.
Step 2: Add the aromatics
Stir in garlic, oregano, and thyme. Cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Don’t walk away garlic burns fast!
Step 3: Tomatoes & depth
Add tomato paste and stir to coat the vegetables. Let it cook for a minute to deepen the flavor, then pour in the diced tomatoes.
Step 4: The hearty additions
Add potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, beans, bay leaf, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
Step 5: Simmer slowly
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes until vegetables are tender and the broth is rich.
Step 6: Pasta time
Add pasta and cook until al dente. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks.
Step 7: Finish with love
Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice, taste, and adjust seasoning. Finish with fresh herbs and Parmesan.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Perfect for slow evenings when you want something comforting without stress 🕯️
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Minestrone Winter Soup shines all on its own, but here’s how I love to serve it:
- With crusty sourdough or garlic bread 🥖
- Topped with extra Parmesan and olive oil
- Alongside a simple green salad
- With a glass of red wine or sparkling water
It’s also amazing for meal prep flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers even better.
📝 Notes
- Want it vegan? Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free version
- Gluten-free? Use gluten-free pasta or skip pasta entirely
- Add protein with shredded chicken or Italian sausage
- Freezes beautifully (without pasta add later)
This soup is forgiving, cozy, and always delicious.
🍲 Recipe Card
Minestrone Winter Soup
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 45 mins | Total: 1 hr 5 mins
🛒 Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion, carrots, celery
- Garlic
- Potatoes, zucchini, cabbage
- Diced tomatoes, tomato paste
- Cannellini & kidney beans
- Vegetable broth
- Pasta
- Herbs & seasonings
👩🍳 Instructions
- Sauté onion, carrots, celery in olive oil
- Add garlic and herbs
- Stir in tomato paste and tomatoes
- Add vegetables, beans, broth
- Simmer until tender
- Add pasta and cook
- Finish with lemon, herbs, Parmesan
📝 Notes
- Customize vegetables
- Great for freezing
- Even better next day
🍽️ Nutrition (Approx.)
Calories: 320 | Protein: 14g | Fiber: 10g | Fat: 7g
Conclusion
There’s something deeply comforting about a pot of Minestrone Winter Soup gently simmering on the stove. It reminds me of home, of slowing down, of feeding people you love with intention 🤍.
Whether you’re snowed in, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something warm and nourishing, this soup will never let you down. Make it once, and I promise it’ll become part of your winter ritual too.
From my cozy kitchen to yours,
Bon appétit, my friend! 🥣✨