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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Carrabba's Minestrone Soup Recipe

Published: Feb 8, 2024 by Debra Clark · 33 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Just like your favorite restaurant this version of Carrabba's Minestrone Soup Recipe is an easy soup that you can put together in a snap!

Next time try this easy potato soup recipe - another delicious meatless meal!

Soup in bowl with toasted biscuits. With soup pot in the foreground.
Carrabbas’ minestrone soup
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Copycat Carrabba's Minestrone Soup

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️ Delicious and nutritious.

✔️ This hearty soup is low cal and guilt free!

✔️This easy soup recipe is a perfect lunch or dinner and tastes even better on day two.

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • zucchini 
  • onion 
  • red bell pepper and green bell pepper
  • kale or spinach
  • cloves garlic
  • canned kidney beans, garbanzo beans or white beans
  • fire roasted tomatoes
  • tomato sauce
  • vegetable broth
  • Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
  • olive oil

Instructions 

A red and white bowl full of the best minestrone soup recipe (if I make say so myself!) There are spoons beside the bowl and homemade toast points to enjoy with this soup.
Minestrone Soup like Carrabba

This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

  1. In a large stock pot over medium sauté the zucchini, onions, peppers and garlic until they just begin to soften
  2. Add the beans, garlic, kale and spices and continue sautéing for again for a couple more minutes.
  3. Next add the stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce and 2 cups of water.
  4. Bring to a boil and loosely cover.
  5. Simmer on the stove for about an hour stirring occasionally.
  6. Check and adjust seasoning - you may need a bit more salt and pepper.

This meal can also be made in the slow cooker. Just add all of the ingredients, cover and simmer on low for four hours.

Equipment

  • You'll need a large soup pot and a ladle for serving the stew.

FAQ's

What kind of beans are used in minestrone soup?

The beans mostly commonly used are cannellini beans, navy bean or kidney beans.

What are the veggies used in minestrone soup?

The beauty of this soup is you can use most any veggie you have on hand.

Is Carrabba's minestrone soup vegetarian?

This soup contains prosciutto and chicken broth. If you'd like a vegetarian soup, use vegetable broth instead and omit the prosciutto.

Tips

This is a great make-ahead soup because on day two, it tastes even better!

A spoonful of the best minestrone soup recipe. There's a red bowl in the background filled with more minestrone soup.
Carrabba's Minestrone Soup Recipe

Variations

  • Add a bay leaf to the soup as its simmers on the stove. Remove before serving.
  • Additional fresh vegetables include; medium potatoes, large stalk celery, fresh green beans or eggplant.
  • Drop a Romano rind or parmesan rind into the soup as it cooks. That will give it a ton of flavor.
  • Speaking of cheese, topping it with freshly grated romano cheese is delicious!
  • For a hearty minestrone soup, add browned Italian sausage.

Storage

Refrigerate - allow to cool completely, store in an airtight container for up to four days.

Freeze - this freezes will up to three months.

Reheat - thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Related recipes

  • You should definitely try is Roasted Tomato Vegetable Soup mmmm! This one is so good! Have you tried either of these yet?
  • This is the most amazing Lentil Soup Recipe.

To make the best homemade soup, check out Homemade Soup; A Complete Guide. In this free resource, I've compiled all of my knowledge about soup; hints, tricks and soup-making tips to help you make the very best soups and stews at home!

Serve with

  • Delicious served with skillet cornbread or warm bread, yum!
  • A bright crisp Caesar Salad also pairs nicely. A hearty chop salad is another great choice!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

One of the best things about soup is all the flavors developing. What did you think of this soup? I'd love it if you left me a message below and shared your thoughts.

Carrabba's Minestrone Soup in bowl with crackers.
5 from 14 votes

Copycat Carrabba's Minestrone Soup

What's not to love about this hearty Italian minestrone soup recipe?!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
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Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
Course: Soups and Stews
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 97kcal
Author: Deb Clark

Ingredients

  • 2 small zucchini chopped
  • ½ red onion chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper chopped
  • 4 cups kale chopped (spinach is a great substitute)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 6 oz can tomato sauce
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 2-4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Directions
  • In a large stock pot over medium heat add oil and sauté the zucchini, onions, peppers and garlic until they just begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the kidney beans, garlic, kale and spices - Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and continue sautéing for again for about 2 more minutes.
  • Next add the vegetable stock, tomatoes, tomato sauce and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and loosely cover. Simmer on the stove for about an hour stirring occasionally. You may need to add more water to soup - just keep an eye on it. After an hour, check and adjust seasoning - you may need a bit more salt & pepper.
  • If you enjoy pasta in your Minestrone Soup cook it separately and add it to the soup before serving. If you cook them together, it will absorb all the sauce. Be creative and use your favorite vegetables, enjoy!

Notes

This meal can also be made in the slow cooker. Just add all of the ingredients, cover and simmer on low for four hours.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1041mg | Potassium: 581mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 5500IU | Vitamin C: 97.5mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 1.5mg

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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 14 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Madi says

      April 30, 2018 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      I love milestrone soup but some how, I've never actually made it! I'll definitely be giving this version a go!

      Reply
    2. Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says

      April 30, 2018 at 7:01 am

      5 stars
      This soup looks so hearty and delicious! I can't believe it only has 200 hundred calories! I definitely need to try this soon!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 01, 2018 at 6:05 am

        Most definitely Lisa! I hope you really enjoy this guilt-free soup!

        Reply
    3. Dan from Platter Talk says

      April 29, 2018 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      As crazy as this sounds, I have never made a minestrone soup. Once again your beautiful work has inspired me to take care of that issue soon! Thanks for yet another beautiful recipe.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        April 29, 2018 at 7:33 pm

        No way! With all of the cooking you do that's a big surprise! Yep, time to make a pot of soup, I hope you really enjoy minestrone!

        Reply
    4. Ashlyn says

      April 29, 2018 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      I'm loving all of the beautiful veggies in this soup! So healthy and flavorful; going to add this to our dinner rotation!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        April 29, 2018 at 7:35 pm

        Fantastic, it's a soup everyone loves - thanks for stopping by Ashlyn!

        Reply
    5. Angela says

      April 29, 2018 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      Minestrone is one of my all time favorites! Such a comfort meal for me and always makes me think of my grandparents and their rustic Italian cooking.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        April 29, 2018 at 7:38 pm

        I love it when food brings back memories! Thank you for sharing and enjoy the soup Angela!!

        Reply
    6. Ilka says

      March 28, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      What a great recipe for a great soup classic! Noting feels as comforting during the cold weather like a warm Minestrone Soup!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:32 pm

        Soup is always good food! 😀 All those veggies are so yummy, thanks Ilka!!

        Reply
    7. Hope says

      March 27, 2017 at 8:17 pm

      This looks so hearty and inviting and the perfect healthy meal to have on a busy week night! Yum!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:26 pm

        The perfect combo Hope! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!

        Reply
    8. Kim @ Three Olives Branch says

      March 27, 2017 at 5:17 pm

      5 stars
      Minestrone is one of my absolute favorite soups! And I agree, it is so easy to make when you can use what you have on hand. This looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks Kim - always a favorite here too!

        Reply
    9. Sarah says

      March 27, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      It's absolutely soup weather this week in New England and this is a perfect new recipe to try for the occasion!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:28 pm

        One order coming up Sarah! 😉 Enjoy!!

        Reply
    10. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says

      March 27, 2017 at 4:44 pm

      5 stars
      Minestrone is my favorite soup to make -- I love that you are putting fire roasted tomatoes in this! I will have to try that next time. Just reading your post makes me want a pot simmering on my stove! Will have to make this week.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:29 pm

        Such an easy soup with so much flavor. Thank you Michelle!

        Reply
    11. Brandi Crawford says

      March 27, 2017 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this is easy and healthy. Looks so hearty!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 28, 2017 at 8:30 pm

        Very hearty for an all veggie soup, I hope you really enjoy it Brandi!

        Reply
    12. Rae says

      March 26, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      Minestrone is my favorite soup when it's cold outside or when I'm feeling crummy like I am today. Really wish I had a bowl of this today!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 26, 2017 at 6:37 pm

        If I was closer I'd be sending a bowl your way!! I hope you feel better soon!

        Reply
    13. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says

      March 26, 2017 at 11:52 am

      Minestrone is one of my absolute favourites. Looks like yours is jam packed full of goodies!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 26, 2017 at 6:42 pm

        Thank you Emma, love all those yummy vegetables!

        Reply
    14. Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says

      March 26, 2017 at 11:19 am

      Easy, tasty and healthy..This soup is calling my name. It's been a while since I had a good minestrone. Need to try this soon 🙂

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 26, 2017 at 6:42 pm

        I hope you do Stephanie, if so swing back and let me know what you think!!

        Reply
    15. Luci's Morsels says

      March 26, 2017 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks delicious and your pictures are beautiful! I love how easy this is and perfect for any night of the week. Thank you for sharing! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 26, 2017 at 10:02 am

        Easy and delicious, nailed it Luci!! Thank you for the compliment on my picture too, love picture taking!!

        Reply
    16. Michelle says

      March 24, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delish. Good clean-out-the-fridge soup ....all those yummy little odds and ends. I always feel economical AND healthy when I eat it.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 25, 2017 at 7:47 pm

        I totally agree Michelle! It's one of the best outa the fridge kinda soups, love that!!

        Reply
    17. Healing Tomato says

      March 24, 2017 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      I have such fond memories of eating Minestrone soup while growing up. Don't know why I stopped eating as a grown up. Your recipe looks delicious and it has inspired me to make Minestrone soup. Love the photos too, Debra

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        March 24, 2017 at 11:10 am

        You know it's such a great soup to use up all of those leftover bits of veggies too, such a lovely soup! Enjoy Rini & thank you so much for the compliment!!

        Reply
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