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Olive Garden Minestrone Soup (Copycat Recipe)

This **Olive Garden Minestrone Soup** is a hearty, flavorful, and healthy dish packed with **fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in a savory tomato broth**.
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Equipment

  • - Large pot or Dutch oven
  • - Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • - Cutting board and knife

Ingredients
  

  • - 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • - 1 small onion diced
  • - 2 carrots diced
  • - 2 celery stalks diced
  • - 3 cloves garlic minced
  • - 1 small zucchini diced
  • - 1 15-oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • - 1 15-oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • - 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
  • - 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • - 4 cups vegetable broth
  • - 1 cup water
  • - 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • - 1/2 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
  • - 1 cup small pasta ditalini, elbow, or small shells
  • - 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
  • - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar for depth of flavor
  • - Fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese for garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • #### **Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables**
  • Heat **olive oil** in a large pot over **medium heat**.
  • Add **onions, carrots, and celery**, sautéing for **4-5 minutes** until softened.
  • Stir in **garlic and zucchini**, cooking for another **2 minutes**.
  • #### **Step 2: Add the Beans & Broth**
  • Pour in **kidney beans, cannellini beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, and water**.
  • Stir in **basil, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes**.
  • Bring to a **gentle simmer**, cover, and cook for **15 minutes**.
  • #### **Step 3: Cook the Pasta**
  • Stir in **pasta** and let it cook uncovered for **8-10 minutes**, or until tender.
  • #### **Step 4: Add Spinach & Finish**
  • Stir in **chopped spinach and balsamic vinegar**, cooking for another **2 minutes** until wilted.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • #### **Step 5: Serve & Enjoy**
  • Ladle into bowls and garnish with **fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese**.
  • Serve with **crusty bread or breadsticks** for dipping!