Soul-Warming Hearty Pasta Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Comfort arrives in a steaming bowl of hearty pasta soup that warms every corner of your kitchen with rich, aromatic flavors.

This classic recipe blends tender pasta with robust vegetables and savory broth in a delightful culinary embrace.

Seasonal ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste and texture that satisfies deep hunger.

Rustic and unpretentious, the soup speaks to simple home cooking that nourishes both body and soul.

Each spoonful carries memories of family gatherings and cozy evenings.

Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, this soup promises a delicious journey through comfort and tradition.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything You Need for Pasta Soup

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables with a golden depth.
• Onion: Builds aromatic base with sweet, savory undertones that enhance overall soup profile.
• Garlic: Adds intense, pungent flavor that deepens the soup's complexity.
• Carrot: Introduces natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes crisp texture and subtle herbaceous notes.

• Diced Tomatoes: Brings tangy brightness and creates robust tomato base for the soup.
• Broth: Provides essential liquid foundation and enriches overall taste profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Infuses Mediterranean herbs for authentic, well-rounded flavor.
• Salt: Balances and amplifies other ingredient flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and slight spiciness.

• Pasta: Creates hearty, satisfying element with comforting wheat-based substance.
• Beans: Delivers protein-packed, creamy texture and nutritional boost.
• Spinach or Kale: Introduces fresh, green nutrients and vibrant color.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors with sharp, citrusy finish.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers fresh garnish with light herbal notes.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides optional rich, salty topping for extra depth.

Kitchen Essentials for Making Pasta Soup

• Large pot: Essential for sauteing vegetables and cooking the entire soup.
• Cutting board: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, and celery.
• Sharp knife: Needed to dice vegetables precisely and quickly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add the right amount of seasonings and salt.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the hot soup into bowls.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pasta Soup

• Sizzle Your Veggie Base

Drizzle olive oil into a big pot and warm it up. Toss in chopped onions, crushed garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Let these guys dance around until they’re soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

• Build Your Flavor Foundation

Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth. Sprinkle your favorite Italian herbs, plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Crank up the heat and let everything bubble enthusiastically.

• Pasta and Protein Party

Drop in your pasta and beans. Turn down the heat so everything gently simmers. Let this delicious mixture cook until the pasta becomes perfectly tender, around 8-10 minutes.

• Green Power Finale

If you’re adding leafy greens, toss them in now. They’ll wilt beautifully and add a fresh burst of color and nutrients. Give everything a quick stir.

• Serve With Love

Pull the pot off the heat. Squeeze in some bright lemon juice. Want extra pizzazz? Scatter fresh parsley or sprinkle parmesan on top. Ladle into bowls and enjoy your comforting soup right away!

Helpful Tips to Customize Your Pasta Soup

• Veggie Boost: Toss in extra vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms to increase nutrition and add more flavor to the soup.
• Protein Power: Swap beans with cooked chicken, ground turkey, or crumbled tofu for different protein options that suit various dietary needs.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Use gluten-free pasta or replace pasta with quinoa or rice to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Spice Adventure: Experiment with different herb blends like dried oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Vegan Friendly: Replace animal-based broth with vegetable broth and skip the parmesan cheese to transform this recipe into a completely plant-based meal that everyone can enjoy.

Serving Suggestions for a Bowl of Pasta Soup

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Serve this hearty pasta soup alongside crusty garlic bread to soak up all the delicious broth and add extra warmth to the meal.
• Weekend Lunch Upgrade: Top each bowl with a sprinkle of crispy bacon bits or toasted breadcrumbs for added crunch and flavor complexity that elevates the simple soup.
• Veggie Lover's Dream: Complement the soup with a fresh green salad featuring mixed baby greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, comforting soup base.
• Cheese Lover's Delight: Offer extra grated parmesan or pecorino romano on the side, allowing everyone to customize their bowl with a generous cheese sprinkle that melts beautifully into the hot soup.

Smart Ways to Store Pasta Soup

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Pasta tends to absorb liquid, so add extra broth when reheating to maintain soup consistency.
• Freezing Friendly: Cool soup completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently on the stovetop.
• Ingredient Prep Tips: Chop vegetables in advance and store in sealed containers to reduce cooking time. Pre-cut ingredients stay fresh for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
• Portion Control Magic: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and reduce food waste.

Hearty Pasta Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean pasta soup celebrates regional flavors with hearty ingredients. Fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables combine for a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes
• ½ cup (90 g) small pasta (ditalini, macaroni, or orzo)
• 1 cup (150 g) cooked beans (cannellini, chickpeas, or kidney beans)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 cup (30 g) fresh spinach or kale (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (for brightness)
• Fresh parsley or parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: In a generously sized pot, heat olive oil over medium flame. Introduce chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery. Sauté the vegetables until they become translucent and develop a tender texture, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Liquid Base Construction: Incorporate crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth into the softened vegetables. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and ground pepper. Elevate the heat to trigger a vigorous boil, creating a robust and flavorful liquid foundation.
3. Protein and Pasta Integration: Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and add kidney beans and pasta. Allow the ingredients to meld together, stirring periodically. Cook until the pasta reaches a perfect al dente texture and the beans are thoroughly heated.
4. Verdant Finale: Fold in fresh leafy greens such as spinach or kale, letting them delicately wilt and integrate into the soup’s vibrant landscape. Remove from heat and enhance with a bright splash of lemon juice. Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.
5. Serving Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into waiting bowls, ensuring each serving captures the harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Serve immediately to preserve the soup’s optimal temperature and culinary integrity.

Notes

• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select crisp vegetables and high-quality pasta for the most vibrant flavor and optimal texture in your soup.
• Control Pasta Cooking: Add pasta later in the cooking process to prevent overcooking and maintain the perfect al dente consistency, which prevents mushy texture.
• Adjust Liquid Levels: Keep extra vegetable broth nearby to adjust soup thickness if needed, ensuring the ideal balance between broth and ingredients.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily swap ingredients for gluten-free pasta, replace kidney beans with alternative proteins like chickpeas, or use vegan cheese for plant-based variations.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg