Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Grains
- 1 cup cannellini beans (canned, rinsed) or equivalent dried beans (soaked and cooked)
- 1/2 cup long-grain rice
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
Broth and Seasonings
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
Fresh Herbs (for finishing)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Your Vegetables: Dice onions, carrots, and celery into uniform pieces for even cooking. Mince the garlic finely to create a fragrant base for the soup.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened and lightly golden, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic for the last minute to release its aroma without burning.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the vegetable broth. Stir well to combine and to lift any browned bits from the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate Beans and Rice: Rinse canned beans under cold water or use prepared dried beans. Add the beans and rice to the pot. Let the soup simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Season and Finish with Fresh Herbs: Season the soup with salt, pepper, and optional Italian seasoning to taste. Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh basil and parsley to add brightness and fresh aroma to the soup.
Notes
- Pre-soak dried beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
- Use homemade vegetable broth if possible for richer flavor.
- Add rice later in cooking if storing leftovers to avoid mushy texture.
- Season gradually, adjusting salt and herbs at the end to balance flavors.
- A splash of lemon juice or vinegar can brighten and add complexity to the soup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: minestrone, soup, beans, rice, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, healthy, easy, comforting