Mmmmm…..mmmmmm….good! That’s what this homemade minestrone soup with arugula is.
Could you eat a big, flavorful, comforting bowl of soup every day, regardless of the weather? I could. On a chilly gray day, I crave this hearty and soul warming soup. On a day when I’m in a big hurry and need something pronto, I make a pot of this. On a steamy day that requires zero cooking, this is my go to recipe. And this easy and flavorful minestrone soup, it works for all of the above.
Ready in under an hour, less than ten ingredients, and nothing exotic or difficult to find is what my minestrone recipe is all about.
Flavor. Let’s talk.
Minestrone soup is typically a mild and almost bland soup. Most of you have ordered it in restaurants and it’s, what I like to call, a flatline soup. It’s not above the bar or below it, it just is. But, add the exciting peppery flavor of arugula to the mix, and you’ve created something fabulous.
The fresh, spicy, and slightly bitter taste of the arugula leaves packs the punch that will make your soup stand out in a crowd. The greens are tossed in just before serving so they wilt ever so slightly and don’t lose their magic. Toss a few leaves on top, sprinkle some vegan Parmesan on top, and you’ll be in Italian soup heaven.
I made this gorgeous soup last week on a dreary, rainy day and it lifted my mood the minute the aroma of the onions, garlic, and tomato started to fill the air. There’s something so calming about the scent of those three ingredients, they smell like home.
The next day was sunny and beautiful and my minestrone soup with arugula matched the happy vibe of the day.
If you’re in a hurry and you need to get dinner on the table in less than an hour, this is the soup for you. It’s as simple as chopping an onion, mincing a few cloves of garlic, quartering five or six tomatoes, slicing some green beans, and draining a can of cannellini beans.
Cook the onion until it begins to sweat, add the garlic and tomatoes and stir them together so their delicious scents start to fill your kitchen, then add the green beans, flat leaf parsley, white beans, vegetable broth, pasta, salt and pepper, and stir one more time. Simmer for approximately forty minutes or until the pasta is done, throw in the arugula, stir, and dinner is served.
No need for salad with this one because your soup bowl is filled with green veggies and tomato. Just warm a loaf of whole grain bread and you’re good to go.
Since it’s Monday, this minestrone soup with arugula could be exactly what you need to make tonight. It’s fast, easy, and it will surely take the edge off of the beginning of the work week.
Tell me:
What’s your favorite soup?
Are you a fan of Monday?
Is your favorite team still in it for March Madness?
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Minestrone Soup with Arugula
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil or 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 white or yellow onion – chopped
- 2 garlic cloves – minced
- 6 large tomatoes – quartered
- 5 ounces or ¾ cup of green beans – sliced at an angle
- 1 15 ounce can of cannellini beans – drained and rinsed well
- ¼ cup of flat leaf parsley – chopped
- 6 cups of vegetable stock
- ¾ cup of short cut pasta – such as penne or ziti
- 2 handfuls of arugula + more for garnishing
- Ground sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Vegan parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil or water on medium heat in a large stock pot. Add the onion and stir. Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes or until they begin to sweat and become transparent. Add the garlic and tomatoes and stir. Cook for two minutes. Add the green beans, cannellini beans, parsley, stock, and pasta and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for approximately 40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When the pasta is done and the soup has thickened, add the salt and pepper to taste and stir in the arugula.
- Top the bowls of minestrone with some fresh arugula and vegan parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
Evi says
Favourite soup....difficult question. Can't decide. However minestrone is definitely one of them 🙂
This here looks also incredibly delicious, Linda, love that you added arugula!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Evi! That is a tough question, I guess it depends on the weather. 🙂
Gin says
This soup looks BEAUTIFUL Linda! Your addition of arugula is so flavor creative, love that idea!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Gin! The arugula really makes the flavor of the soup pop.
The Vegan 8 says
This looks amazing Linda, I love soups year round, I don't care what the weather is. It's my favorite thing to eat. I love minestrone and the fact you added arugula is a wonderful idea! Looks so delicious!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Brandi! I feel the same way, soup is not just for winter months. The arugula really spices the soup up, I love it.
Uma Srinivas says
My favorite soup. I usually cook this soup twice a week in winter time. Your recipe is different than mine. Love to try this out.
Linda Meyer says
It's such a classic. Let me know if you try it, Uma!
alisamarie says
The snow has been flying here, so I'm definitely still craving warm bowls of soup - this recipe looks perfect!
Linda Meyer says
I hope you live in an area with mountains so you can go skiing, otherwise, I'm sorry about that snow. Thanks, Alisa!
alisamarie says
Yes, we are in the Tahoe area! No skiing for me this year as the ticket prices are ridiculous and I didn't buy a pass (whoops!), but I still love the snow. We need it with the drought, too 🙂 Soup time!
Linda Meyer says
Oh, you're so lucky. We skied in Lake Tahoe a few years ago and I loved everything about the area. It's stunning! Enjoy the soup. 🙂
melmcdonald2 says
What a flavourful bowl of soup! I am totally with you on eating soup no matter what the weather. I love it!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Melanie! 🙂
Sophia @veggies dont bite says
Ok, I don't see my comment from yesterday so commenting again. I love minestrone! And I love love love arugula, so I bet this is fantastic together. My mom gets the best arugula in her garden and I put it on everything!
Linda Meyer says
You're SO lucky to live in a place where you can pick your arugula from the garden! I only have a small window of time for that where I live. Thanks, Sophia!
curlsnchard says
I'm getting hungry right now! I love minestrone so much - it actually is my favorite soup. Probably head to head with a creamy garlic soup 😉 Next time I make minestrone I have to add arugula to it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Linda Meyer says
Ooooh, creamy garlic soup sounds so decadent. I'm happy you like the recipe, let me know what you think if you make it. 🙂
Jenn S. says
OH yes! I could eat soup every day at every meal. Absolutely my favorite thing to eat! This minestrone is gorgeous! Love that it's a lightened up, springy version. The perfect transition meal from winter to spring (which still feels a bit like winter most days).
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Jenn! It feels like spring today! Much better than yesterday. 🙂
Hedi Hearts says
I love soups, even on a hot summer day!
Linda Meyer says
Me too!
Sophia @veggies dont bite says
I love minestrone and I love arugula so I know I'd love this!! Looks so warm and cozy. My mom grows the best arugula in her garden and I can literally eat it on everything! I bet wilted in soup is amazing.
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
Minestrone soup is amazing and I could eat soup everyday even when it's triple digit heat outside I think. This version looks wonderful with the addition of fresh greens, thanks!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i will take a bowl of this everyday!
Becky says
Oh my goodness. What a beautiful bowl of comfort!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
I love vegetable soups - blended, creamy or chunky like this one. It's a great way to start the week!
harrietemilys says
I love minestrone soup! This recipe looks and sounds so delicious Linda. I can't wait to try it! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you so much, Harriet! Let me know if you do.:)
Aimee / Wallflower Kitchen says
It just looks so comforting and delicious!
Linda Meyer says
It is, thanks so much, Aimee. 🙂
Natalie says
Minestorne is mild and a classic, I think that's why I love it! I love simple not crazy spicy food, and I love tomatoes. The arugula is a really neat addition, plus it makes it look so fresh and inviting 🙂 This is just calling for a big hunk of bread along side it too!
Linda Meyer says
Natalie, the arugula gives it just enough zest to make it more interesting. I think you'd really like it. 🙂 Yes! a big hunk of bread is exactly the right partner for this soup.
Strength and Sunshine says
Soup may be a good idea for this RAINY sad Monday! Haha!
And arugula! I just stocked up on my last grocery trip <3 One of the best greens! I really love that bitter bite!