Pantry & Instant Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Pantry Minestrone
A steaming bowlful of canned tomatoes, white beans, pasta, and herbs simmered into a nourishing Italian soup that warms you from the first spoonful.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- One-pot
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: one-pot dinners30-minute meals
Instructions
6 steps- 1
In a medium soup pot or Dutch oven, combine the broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- 3
Once boiling, stir in the dry macaroni. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom.
- 4
When the pasta is tender, fold in the drained and rinsed kidney beans.
- 5
Simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes until the beans are completely heated through.
- 6
Taste for seasoning, add salt and pepper if needed, and serve hot with crusty bread on the side.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
71/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving310
Calories
32 g
Protein
11 g
Carbs
16 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Minestrone is the great Italian use-it-up soup, a peasant dish with no fixed recipe that changed with the season and whatever the garden and pantry offered. Its name simply means a big soup, and historically it was thickened with beans and pasta to feed a family from very little. The pantry version honors that spirit exactly, building a hearty soup entirely from cans, dried pasta, and a few aromatics.
Listahan note
This version builds a savory base by browning the aromatics and tomato paste before the liquid goes in, so a soup made from cans still tastes long-simmered. It cooks the pasta right in the broth so the starch thickens the whole pot.
Technique cues
- Cook the tomato paste in the oil with the onions until it darkens a shade; this caramelizing step builds the deep savory base of the soup.
- Add the pasta directly to the simmering broth so its starch thickens the soup and the noodles soak up flavor.
- Save the parmesan rind if you have one and simmer it in the pot; it melts slowly and adds savory depth for free.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Open and rinse the cans while the onions and tomato paste brown, so the liquids go in the moment the base is ready.
- Make-ahead
- Make the soup base without pasta and refrigerate or freeze; add fresh pasta when reheating so it does not turn mushy.
- Leftover move
- Thicken leftovers by simmering down and serve over toast, or stir in extra broth to loosen a pot that set up overnight.
- Cleanup rhythm
- One pot does everything; soak it with hot water while you eat and it rinses clean.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
canned diced tomatoes
broth base
Purpose: Tomatoes give the soup its bright, savory backbone and color.
Handling: Add with their juice to the simmering pot.
Adaptation: Crushed tomatoes or a spoonful of passata work too.
canned beans
protein and body
Purpose: Beans make minestrone hearty enough to be a meal and thicken the broth.
Handling: Drain and rinse, then add partway through the simmer.
Adaptation: Cannellini, kidney, or chickpeas all work; use what you have.
small pasta
starch
Purpose: Small pasta makes the soup filling and its starch thickens the broth.
Handling: Add toward the end and cook until just tender.
Adaptation: Small gluten-free pasta or a handful of rice both work.
tomato paste
flavor base
Purpose: Browned tomato paste builds a deep savory foundation that canned tomatoes alone lack.
Handling: Cook in the oil with the onions until darkened before adding liquid.
Adaptation: A spoonful of sun-dried tomato paste adds even more depth.
vegetable broth
liquid
Purpose: Broth carries all the flavors and forms the body of the soup.
Handling: Add and bring to a steady simmer.
Adaptation: Water plus a bouillon cube works in a pinch.
Technique notes
- Finish each bowl with a drizzle of good olive oil and grated parmesan; that final fat and salt is what makes a simple soup taste rich.
- If you are storing leftovers, cook and add the pasta separately so it does not bloat and soak up all the broth overnight.
- A handful of greens like spinach or kale wilted in at the end adds color and freshness without any extra effort.
Ingredient swaps
- Gluten-free direction
- Use a small gluten-free pasta or swap in rice or quinoa to thicken the soup without wheat.
- Vegan direction
- Use vegetable broth and finish with a vegan parmesan or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead of cheese.
- Higher-protein direction
- Add a second can of beans or stir in browned Italian sausage for a more filling pot.
Serve alongside
- Crusty garlic bread
- Simple arugula salad
- Bruschetta
- Cheese and olive board
- Light Italian red wine
- Sparkling water with lemon
- Herbal tea
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to four days; the soup thickens as it sits, so loosen with broth or water when reheating. For best results, store the pasta separately or expect it to soften over time. The bean-and-tomato base freezes well for up to three months; add fresh pasta and greens after reheating.
Equipment
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle
- Box grater for cheese
Make this household-aware
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Plan it in Listahan
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