This Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal Recipe feels like a warm, cozy hug in your bowl. Minestrone Soup is the ultimate comfort food, packed with veggies, tender beans, and the savory broth that warms your soul. But do you want to know the best part of this recipe? You can prepare a large batch of it, freeze it, and bring it out when you are in need-perfect for those insane nights where cooking from scratch is just not in the cards. Are you ready to begin saving more time while still enjoying delicious food? Let’s dive in together and make your life easier, one recipe at a time!

[MFD Email Sign Up – Something Free

Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal Recipe

If you are looking for comfort food vibes, this Minestrone Soup recipe is going to be your new go-to recipe. Full of flavor, packed veggies, tender beans and a savory broth that warms your soul.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings

Equipment

1 gallon freezer bag
1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 Onion diced
1 cup Carrots diced
2 stalks Celery diced
1 Zucchini diced
14.5 oz Diced tomatoes can
14.5 oz Kidney beans can, drained
1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
6 cups Vegetable broth
1/2 cup Acini di Pepe pasta

Instructions

Prep | Freezer Directions

Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add all ingredients, except the broth and pasta, into the labeled freezer bag.
Seal bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker | Cooking Directions

Dump the contents of the freezer bag into a slow cooker, plus 6 cups broth (no need to thaw)
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding pasta during the last 60 minutes.
Stir and serve

Instant Pot | Cooking Directions:

Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, plus 6 cups water. (No need to thaw)
Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release.
Open lid, add the pasta, and stir. Select the sauté setting and cook on low for an additional 10-12 minutes. Or until pasta is tender.
Stir and serve.

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

Use a gluten-free pasta

Make it Dairy Free:

Recipe is naturally dairy free

Keyword Easy crockpot recipes, Minestrone Soup, Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal, Slow Cooker Freezer Meals, Vegetarian Freezer Meals

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later!

[MFD Email Sign Up – Something Free]

Your Questions Answered

Comment below if you have any questions we didn’t answer.

Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal Guide

Cost-Effective: Using pantry staples and seasonal vegetables keeps this meal budget-friendly
Comforting and Warm: The hearty broth is perfect for cold or rainy days, making it feel like a cozy hug in a bowl.
One-Pot Wonder: Minimal dishes mean less cleanup, which is a win in any busy household.
Saves Time: Prepping a freezer meal in advance saves you time on those hectic weekday evenings.
No-Spoil Ingredients: Most ingredients in minestrone soup can be bought in bulk and stored, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Boosts Your Veggie Intake: Sneak those vegetables into your family’s diet without anyone complaining.

Equipment Needed To Make Family-Friendly Minestrone Soup

1 gallon freezer bag
1 Slow Cooker

What to Pair with Your Healthy and Hearty Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal

Side Dishes:
Garlic Bread
Caprese Salad
Caesar Salad

Desserts:
Tiramisu
Lemon Ricotta Cake
Panna Cotta with Berries

Mocktails:
Italian Lemonade
Virgin Peach Bellini
Blood Orange Mocktail

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:
Onion → Leeks: Swap out the onion for an equal amount of chopped leeks. Leeks have a milder, slightly sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the other veggies in the soup.
Acini di Pepe Pasta → Ditalini Pasta: Substitute the acini di pepe with ditalini pasta, which is similar in size.
Kidney Beans → Cannellini Beans: Use cannellini beans instead of kidney beans for a creamier texture and a slightly different flavor profile.

Additions
Frozen Spinach: Add 1 cup of frozen spinach to boost the soup’s nutritional value. It adds a pop of color and a dose of vitamins without overpowering the flavor.
Frozen Peas: Toss in 1 cup of frozen peas for a bit of sweetness and extra texture. They complement the other vegetables and freeze well.
Parmesan Cheese: Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking for added richness and depth of flavor.

Best Way To Store Best minestrone soup recipe
Leftover?

If you happen to have leftovers of this delicious soup, be sure to follow these procedures in order to maintain the freshness in storage. Let the soup cool to room temperature before storing it.

This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container. Then, consider portioning out into individual or family-sized portions. This allows for easier reheating. Then, use airtight containers or heavy duty storage bags.

How Long Will Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal Last In the Fridge?

When you have followed proper procedures with cooling and storage, your Minestrone Soup will remain fresh for three to five days in the fridge. Make sure to always check for spoilage as you go to reheat!

Can I Freeze Vegetable-Packed Minestrone Soup?

Yes, we have designed this recipe to be a freezer recipe, however, we recommend freezing after prep and before cooking.

In order to prepare this recipe as a raw freezer meal, label a gallon freezer bag with recipe name and cooking instructions. Then, add all ingredients, except the broth or pasta, into the labeled freezer bag. Then, seal, remove as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

If you have already cooked your recipe, and have leftovers that you would like to freeze, you may do this. However, be aware that the more times your meal is frozen and thawed, the more likely the texture and taste will diminish. If you are wanting to freeze your soup, make sure the soup is at room temperature, and place in freezer safe containers or bags. Then, remove as much air as possible, seal, and freeze for up to three months.

How To Reheat Easy Minestrone Soup?

To reheat your leftovers, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight, if frozen, then warm it on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Make sure to stir occasionally in order to prevent sticking.

If you want to use the microwave, you may do so, just make sure that you heat in short bursts of 30-45 seconds, and stir between each interval. This ensures even heating throughout the soup.

What is an interesting fact about Minestrone soup?

Minestrone Soup, a staple of Italian cuisine, is one of the more versatile soups, as it does not have a fixed recipe. Traditionally, it was made with whatever vegetables were in season, ensuring that it is always nutrient packed and filling.

The adaptability makes minestrone perfect for a freezer meal prep, allowing you to use a variety of vegetables and ingredients based on what you have in your pantry or fridge. The phrase “clean out your fridge” embodies the essence of this resourceful home cooked meal.

What are the health benefits of Minestrone soup?

Minestrone soup is a nutritional powerhouse in and of itself, packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals from it’s vegetable-rich base. This soup is low in calories, yet super filling, making it an excellent choice for weight management.

The inclusion of beans adds extra protein, while the variety of vegetables contributes to heart health, immunity support, and increased digestion. Making minestrone as a freezer meal ensures you have a healthy, homemade option ready to go, helping you avoid the processed foods.

What does Minestrone taste like?

Minestrone soup has a rich, savory flavor, with the blending of many fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and aromatic italian seasoning. The broth is often tomato-based, giving the soup a slightly tangy flavoring.

The mixture of vegetables, such as zucchini, carrots, and onions, also adds a sweetness and texture, while the beans provide a creamy and earth tone to the soup. The flavor of this soup deepens over time, making each reheated bowl even more delicious.

How do you thicken Minestrone Soup during the cooking process or after the cooking process has finished?

If you are in the cooking process and notice the soup is needing to be thickened, you can add a handful of small pasta like an acini di pepe. This will help absorb the broth and expands. Another option is to mash some of the beans directly in the pot, creating a more creamy consistency.

After cooking, if the soup is too thin, simmer it uncovered to reduce some of the liquid. Also, you could stir in a slurry made from cornstarch and water, or mix in some grated Parmesan cheese for an added richness and depth.

What can I do to add flavor to my Minestrone soup?

If you are needing to add some flavor to your Minestrone soup, consider sautéing the vegetables in olive oil and garlic, with onions before adding the broth. Another way to add more flavor is to add a Parmesan rind during the simmering to add a rich, umami taste.

Another great option to add flavor is to add fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme, this will help elevate the soup’s flavor profile. If you are looking for a spicier note in your soup, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

What are healthier substitutions to make to a Minestrone Soup?

If you are looking to make Minestrone soup healthier, consider substituting regular pasta with a whole-grain or gluten-free pasta. You could also look at replacing the canned beans with a low-sodium or a home-cooked bean to reduce the sodium intake.

Looking to reduce the sodium more, consider using a homemade broth, instead of a high-sodium vegetable broth. Adding nutrients is also an option, consider adding leafy greens like spinach or kale for an added dose of vitamins and minerals.

What is the most important ingredient in Minestrone soup?

The ingredient that makes Minestrone soup what it is today is the vegetable broth, as it forms the base of the soup and ties in all the flavors together.

A well-seasoned broth can make all the difference in a soup, it enhances the taste of the vegetables, beans, and pasta, making every spoonful satisfying for the soul.

What should I avoid doing when making Minestrone Soup?

When making a Minestrone soup, make sure you avoid over cooking the vegetables, as they can become mushy and lose their flavor. Adding pasta too early in the cooking process can also lead to the pasta becoming overly soft or absorbing too much broth.

While making this into a freezer meal, it is best to slightly undercook the pasta and vegetables, so they maintain their texture when reheated. Make sure that when you are adding your seasoning, you are tasting and adjusting as needed, avoid under seasoning at all costs.

What is the process of making this as a make-ahead freezer meal?

To make Minestrone Soup as a freezer meal, all you have to do is prepare a gallon freezer bag with instructions, date, and recipe name. Then, add all ingredients into your freezer bag, holding off on adding the pasta and broth until the day of cooking. Then, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

What are some regional variations in Italy of a Minestrone Soup?

Minestrone Soup varies across all of Italy, reflecting the natural ingredients that are more accessible to the region. In northern Italy, Minestrone soup often includes rice instead of pasta and features heartier vegetables like added potatoes and beans.

In the Tuscan region, known as “Minestrone alla Toscana” this soup typically incorporates kale or cabbage and is finished with a drizzle of olive oil on top. In Southern Italy, the Minestrone soup is much lighter, often with more tomatoes and sometimes enriched with a touch of pesto or Parmesan.

If you like this recipe, here are some other Italian Inspired recipes, you’re sure to love:

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Minestrone Soup recipe turned out!! I really want to know.

And if you have ANY QUESTIONS comment here, I’m happy to help.

Minestrone Soup Freezer Meal Recipe

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later!

Your Questions Answered

Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Minestrone Soup recipe turned out!! I really want to know.

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Hi! I'm Hannah

Now Available A Year of Meal Plans on a Budget!

Follow Us:

Buffalo Chicken Sliders Freezer Meal Recipe

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cake Recipe

Related Recipes