Hearty Minestrone Soup with Bacon: The Ultimate Comforting Italian Vegetable Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of homemade soup to chase away the chill on a cold winter’s day. This classic Italian Minestrone soup, brimming with vibrant vegetables, nourishing homemade bone broth, and the irresistible smoky flavor of bacon, is more than just a meal; it’s a hug in a bowl. It’s a dish that not only provides essential nutrients but also truly feeds your soul, offering unparalleled comfort and satisfaction.

For me, the perfect evening often involves curling up on the couch with a soft blanket, my beloved rescue pup Olive by my side, and a steaming bowl of soup. Whether it’s a robust chicken lentil soup or a creamy potato leek delight, I simply adore homemade broths. My love for soup is undeniable, though my husband, affectionately dubbed the “soup scrooge,” isn’t always as enthusiastic. Yet, even he can’t resist this flavorful Minestrone with its savory bacon twist. And who could blame him? Bacon makes everything better!

Minestrone holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite soups. Its rich tapestry of wholesome vegetables, combined with a flavorful broth, creates a deeply satisfying experience. This recipe focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients and the incredible depth that bone broth and bacon bring to the table, transforming a simple vegetable soup into a truly unforgettable culinary journey.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Tips for Making Perfect Minestrone Soup

Crafting the perfect minestrone soup is an art, but these simple tips will ensure your bowl is always bursting with flavor and wholesome goodness:

Embrace Fresh Greens: Always opt for fresh spinach or kale. Kale will require a slightly longer cooking time to soften compared to delicate spinach, so adjust accordingly. Adding them towards the end ensures they retain their vibrant color and nutritional integrity.
Freezing for Future Feasts: This minestrone soup freezes exceptionally well, making it ideal for meal prep or busy weeknights. Allow the soup to cool completely in the refrigerator before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Half-gallon mason jars or sturdy gallon freezer bags are excellent choices for storage. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.
The Magic of Homemade Broth: For unparalleled flavor and nutritional benefits, I highly recommend using homemade bone broth. I personally make this Instant Pot chicken broth recipe every week. The depth of flavor it brings to the soup is simply unmatched by store-bought alternatives.
Noodle Nuance: If you enjoy a more substantial soup, feel free to add pasta. However, to prevent the noodles from absorbing all your precious broth and becoming mushy, I suggest cooking them separately. Add a portion of cooked noodles to each individual bowl of soup just before serving. This keeps your minestrone perfectly textured and flavorful.

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Essential Tools for Your Kitchen

To prepare this delicious minestrone soup, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools:

A large stock pot or a sturdy Dutch oven for cooking the soup.
A strainer for rinsing beans or draining broth.
A reliable cutting board and a sharp knife for preparing all the fresh vegetables.
A can opener for diced tomatoes and beans.
An Instant Pot is highly recommended if you plan on making homemade broth, streamlining the process significantly.

Minestrone Soup: Frequently Asked Questions

Minestrone vs. Vegetable Soup: What’s the Difference?

While both are vegetable-rich soups, minestrone distinguishes itself with its distinctly Italian character. Traditional minestrone typically features a specific array of Italian vegetables such as zucchini, tomatoes, leafy greens like spinach or kale, and cannellini beans. Vegetable soup, on the other hand, is a broader category that can incorporate almost any combination of vegetables, often without the specific bean or pasta elements characteristic of minestrone. The inclusion of ingredients like pancetta or bacon, as in this recipe, also lends a unique Italian depth to minestrone that isn’t always present in a general vegetable soup.

What to Serve with Minestrone Soup?

Minestrone soup, being a light yet hearty brothy dish, pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. A rustic, crusty bread or a slice of warm sourdough, especially when slathered with butter, is simply divine for soaking up all the flavorful broth. Our homemade dinner rolls would also be an excellent choice. For a more complete meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh green leafy salad with a light vinaigrette, or even a classic grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting and satisfying combination.

Is This Recipe Whole30, Paleo, and Gluten-Free?

Yes, this recipe can absolutely be adapted to fit Whole30, Paleo, and gluten-free dietary needs! To ensure it’s Whole30 and Paleo compliant, make sure the bacon you choose contains no added sugar. Also, simply omit any cheese topping. If you are specifically following a gluten-free diet, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you don’t add any gluten-containing noodles. If you desire pasta, feel free to incorporate your favorite gluten-free noodles into individual servings.

Can This Minestrone Be Made Vegetarian?

Absolutely! Transforming this hearty minestrone into a delicious vegetarian option is incredibly simple. Just leave out the bacon entirely. Instead of using bacon fat, sauté your vegetables in a good quality olive oil or avocado oil. Most importantly, swap the chicken bone broth for a flavorful vegetable broth. With these minor adjustments, you’ll have a wholesome and satisfying vegetarian minestrone that’s equally delightful.

Key Ingredients in Minestrone Soup

The beauty of minestrone lies in its fresh, wholesome ingredients:

Onions: These aromatic powerhouses form the flavor base of the soup. Dicing them very small is recommended if you prefer a smoother texture or are not a fan of larger onion pieces.
Carrots: I love using large carrots and chopping them into hearty chunks. Their slight sweetness and firm texture add a wonderful bite and vibrant color to the soup.
Celery: A classic soup ingredient, celery contributes a subtle, savory depth and crispness that complements the other vegetables perfectly.
Potatoes: Adding potatoes makes this soup incredibly hearty and filling. Opt for thin-skinned varieties like red, gold, or Russet potatoes so you can simply chop and add them without the need for peeling, saving you time and effort.
Bacon: While prosciutto is traditionally found in some Italian soups, bacon offers a more accessible and equally delicious smoky, savory flavor profile, rendering a rich depth to the broth.
White Beans or Kidney Beans: Beans are essential for minestrone, providing plant-based protein and fiber. I personally prefer Great Northern Beans for their creamy texture and mild flavor, but cannellini or kidney beans are also excellent choices. Ensure they are drained and rinsed before adding.
Zucchini: Slice the zucchini slightly thicker to prevent it from becoming overly soft during cooking. Adding it late in the cooking process ensures it retains its delightful texture and doesn’t turn into mush.
Spinach or Kale: These leafy greens pack a nutritional punch and vibrant color. You can use fresh or frozen; if using frozen, remember to use approximately half the amount of fresh, as it’s more condensed.
Broth: Homemade chicken bone broth is my preferred choice for its rich flavor and health benefits, but a good quality vegetable broth works wonderfully for a vegetarian version.
Seasonings: A blend of Italian herbs, including oregano, thyme, crushed rosemary, and basil, provides that signature Italian taste. If you don’t have individual spices, a single tablespoon of a good Italian seasoning blend will do the trick.
Salt: Salt to taste is crucial. The final amount will depend on the sodium content of your broth (especially if store-bought) and your personal preference. Always taste and adjust as you go!

How to Make This Hearty Minestrone Soup + Video

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and satisfying bowl of homemade minestrone:

Cook the Bacon: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon until it’s about 75% done – nicely rendered but still slightly pliable. While the bacon cooks, use this time to meticulously chop all your other vegetables, preparing them for the pot.
Reserve Bacon Fat: Carefully remove the partially cooked bacon from the pot, placing it aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Leave the flavorful bacon fat in the pot; this will be the base for sautéing your aromatics.
Sauté Onions: Add the diced onions to the pot with the reserved bacon fat. Cook them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent. This step builds a foundational layer of flavor for the soup.
Add Root Vegetables and Tomatoes: Introduce the chopped carrots, celery, and potatoes into the pot, along with the canned diced tomatoes. Stir well to combine, ensuring all vegetables are coated in the savory fat and beginning to warm through.
Chop and Add Bacon: While the vegetables are simmering, chop the reserved bacon into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Add the chopped bacon back into the soup, distributing its savory goodness throughout the pot.
Combine Remaining Ingredients and Simmer: Stir in the rest of the ingredients, which include your beans, bone broth, and all the specified seasonings (oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, and salt to taste). Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
Final Vegetable Addition: Approximately 3-5 minutes before the soup is completely done, add the chopped zucchini and fresh spinach or kale. We avoid overcooking the zucchini to prevent it from becoming mushy and losing its texture. Cook just until the zucchini softens slightly and the greens wilt.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot minestrone into bowls. For an extra layer of flavor, consider topping with a sprinkle of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (if not Whole30/Paleo) and serving with warm, crusty sourdough bread. Enjoy your comforting, homemade minestrone!

More Comforting Soup Recipes to Try

If you’re a fellow soup enthusiast, you’ll love these other delicious recipes from our collection:

Chicken and Rice Soup: Easy 10 Minute Recipe
Sausage Potato Soup {Instant Pot}
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Lentil Soup: Easy Weeknight Soup
Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Hearty Minestrone Soup with Bacon Recipe

If you try this delightful minestrone soup recipe and love it as much as we do, please consider coming back to leave a 5-star rating! Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

A hearty bowl of minestrone soup with bacon, kale, potatoes, and other vegetables in a rich chicken stock, served with an antique spoon on a red and tan napkin.

Hearty Minestrone Soup with Bacon

A perfect hearty winter soup filled with healthy vegetables, rich bone broth, and savory bacon.

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
30 minutes

Total Time:
50 minutes

Servings:
8

Ingredients

3 slices of bacon
1 onion, diced
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 large potatoes, chopped
28 oz diced tomatoes in juice
15 oz cannellini or white beans, drained and rinsed
1 zucchini, chopped
8 cups of bone broth (preferably homemade) or chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1/2 Tbs crushed rosemary
1.5 Tbs basil
Salt to taste
2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)

Instructions

In a large stock pot, cook the bacon until about 75% done and then set it aside. Leave the rendered bacon fat in the pot.
In the same pot, cook the diced onions until they are translucent and soft.
Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, and celery to the pot. Stir well to combine.
Next, add the diced canned tomatoes, rinsed beans, and the chopped, partially cooked bacon back into the pot.
Pour in the bone broth (or chicken stock) and add the bay leaf, oregano, thyme, crushed rosemary, and basil. Stir all ingredients together.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped zucchini and fresh spinach or kale. Cook just until the zucchini softens slightly and the greens wilt, ensuring they don’t become overcooked.
Taste and adjust salt as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve hot, optionally topped with shredded Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.

Nutrition

Course:
Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine:
Italian

Keyword:
Soup

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ablossominglife or tag #ablossominglife!

This post was updated in October 2019.