Easy Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot

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Easy Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot is a hearty and versatile Italian soup that is filled with yummy veggies in a cozy, flavorful broth. The best way to serve this soup is with fresh grated parmesan cheese on top with a side of crusty bread!

Hello there, soup lovers. Are you ready to dive into an easy, delicious adventure this soup season? I am always looking for more Instant Pot Recipes so today we are making Instant Pot Minestrone Soup which is quite simply one of the best soups ever. It’s super easy and fun, and full of colorful veggies.

The use of high pressure that the Instant Pot provides means incredible flavorful in a short amount of time. I hope you enjoy this homemade soup as much as I do! Let’s cook this together! – Ashley

easy minestrone soup in the instant pot

Easy Minestrone Soup Ingredients

The basic components of minestrone soup typically include broth, a variety of vegetables, beans, pasta or rice, and herbs and seasonings. Don’t forget to top it with parmesan cheese!

  • Broth – a good broth or stock is essential to flavorful Minestrone soup. Make your own, or choose your favorite store bought. I used chicken stock, but you can also use vegetable broth or stock — especially if you’d like to keep this soup vegan or vegetarian.
  • Vegetables – minestrone soup is PACKED full of healthy vegetables. Common vegetables you will find in minestrone soup include onions, celery, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, spinach, cabbage, and zucchini. Use what you enjoy and have on hand, and don’t forget the garlic!
  • Beans – beans are a staple ingredient in minestrone soup. Cannellini beans are most commonly used, but other options include white kidney beans, red kidney beans, or even chick peas / garbanzo beans.
  • Pasta or Rice – pasta is the most common choice to add to minestrone soup, but you can certainly add rice. Small pasta shapes like ditalini, elbows, or small shells work great. You could also add quinoa.
  • Herbs and seasoning – fresh or dried herbs allow this soup to come to life with flavor! Basil and oregano are my favorites. You can also season with Italian seasoning. I also season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flake.

Making Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot

Here is a brief overview of how you will make this easy minestrone soup in your Instant Pot. A full detailed explanation including ingredient amounts can be found in the recipe card below. Gather and prep your ingredients, then get started:

  1. Sauté the vegetables – using the sauté feature on the Instant pot, add olive oil. Once hot, add onion, carrots and celery and cook until the veggies begin to soften. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add tomatoes and seasonings – to the softened veggies, add in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flake.
  3. Add broth and pasta – to the Instant Pot, add in chicken or vegetable stock or broth along with cannellini beans and pasta. I used macaroni, ditalini is another great option. Stir to combine.
  4. Cook – Close the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to the sealing position, switch from the sauté function to the “manual” function then set the timer. Cooking time for this soup is 5 minutes on high pressure.
  5. Release Pressure – once the timer goes off, use the quick pressure release option to release the pressure.
  6. Add green beans and spinach – stir in canned green beans and fresh spinach, then stir. The heat from the soup will heat the green beans through and wilt the spinach. Fresh parsley is also delicious in this soup. Feel free to add a handful!
  7. Adjust seasonings – taste the soup, then adjust seasonings as needed. Feel free to add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar to balance the flavor.
  8. Top with parmesan cheese – Olive Garden’s Minestrone Soup is my favorite, and it’s largely because of the fresh grated parmesan cheese on top. Use a microplane grater to add lots of fresh parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper on top of your minestrone soup.
bowl of minestrone soup

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup Variations

Minestrone soup is flexible and versatile. Use whatever vegetables and beans you have on hand and enjoy to create a personalized minestrone soup that you and your family enjoy! Here are some variation suggestions:

  • Add meat – minestrone soup is typically vegetarian or vegan when omitting the parmesan cheese and using vegetable stock or broth. For a boost of protein, try adding cooked and shredded chicken, or cooked ground beef or ground turkey. Pancetta or bacon are also delicious options!
  • Make it gluten free – choose gluten free pasta for gluten free minestrone
  • Slow Cooker – this recipe can be made in the slow cooker. Simply add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Add Cream – for a fun creamy variation, try adding a splash of heavy cream after the soup is done cooking.
  • Veggies – choose any veggies and beans that you enjoy!

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze minestrone soup?

Yes, minestrone soup can be frozen. Transfer the cooled soup to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3-4 months.

To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator then heat in the microwave or on the stove top until hot.

Looking for a way to make Minestone soup on the stove top? Here is our Easy Minestrone Soup recipe.

We love easy soup recipes! Try some of our favorites:

What to Serve with Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that pairs well with a variety of sides.

  1. Crusty Bread – this is a must! Crusty Italian bread, a baguette, or even garlic bread are great options to pair with this soup.
  2. Salad – a little salad and soup combo is delicious! Try a Caesar salad with our homeamde Caesar Dressing!
  3. Grilled Cheese – is there anything better than grilled cheese and soup?

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Easy Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot. If you try this recipe, please leave a comment here or tag me on social media. I love hearing from you!

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Easy Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot

Easy Minestrone Soup in the Instant Pot is a hearty and versatile Italian soup that is filled with yummy veggies in a cozy, flavorful broth.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced or chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz canned diced tomatoes with liquid
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flake
  • 64 ounces chicken stock or broth or vegetable stock or broth
  • 14.5 ounces kidney beans, drained or cannellini beans
  • 1 cup elbow pasta or ditalini
  • handful fresh chopped parsley
  • 15 ounces canned green beans, drained
  • 1 cup baby spinach
  • finely grated parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions 

  • Press the sauté function on the Instant Pot and allow to heat up for a minute or two. To the inner pot of the Instant Pot, add onion, carrots and celery and cook until the veggies begin to soften. Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
  • To the softened veggies, add in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flake.
  • Add in chicken broth and pasta along with kidney beans or cannellini beans. Stir to combine making sure that the pasta is covered by the broth.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to the sealing position, then switch the instant pot from the sauté function to the "manual" function (high pressure). Set the timer for 5 minutes.
  • Release the pressure – when the timer goes off, use the quick pressure release option to release the pressure.
  • Add in green beans, fresh parsley and spinach then stir to combine. Allow the heat from the soup to heat the green beans through and wilt the spinach. This will take about 5 minutes.
  • Adjust seasonings – feel free to add 1-2 teaspoons sugar to balance the flavor.
  • Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and serve.
Tried this recipe?Mention @CenterCutCook and tag #CenterCutCook!

Hi, I’m Ashley & I’m so happy you’re here!

Ashley is the founder of CenterCutCook and a former teacher that now spends her days in the kitchen so that she can share her favorite recipes with you!