Italian Herb Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Vibrant Mediterranean-style soup loaded with vegetables and classic Italian herbs for a satisfying bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
09 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices
10 - 4 cups vegetable broth
11 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
12 - 2 cups baby spinach leaves

→ Herbs and Seasonings

13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
17 - 1 bay leaf
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Additions

19 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
20 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for garnish
21 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (omit for vegan)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
02 - Stir in carrots, celery, zucchini, red bell pepper, and green beans. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, and potato. Stir in oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
04 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
05 - If using cannellini beans, add them and simmer for another 5 minutes to heat through.
06 - Remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in spinach leaves and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Taste soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This soup is endlessly forgiving - I once forgot the zucchini until the last minute and it still turned out beautifully rich and flavorful.
  • The symphony of Italian herbs creates layers of flavor that make even the simplest vegetables taste like they came from a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen.
02 -
  • Adding all herbs at once early in cooking creates a deeper, more complex flavor than sprinkling them in at the end, something I discovered after years of making this soup.
  • The spinach goes in just before serving, not during the main simmer time, or it will lose its vibrant green color and become muddy.
03 -
  • Adding a parmesan rind during simmering (remove before serving) creates an incredible depth of flavor, even if you skip the grated cheese garnish.
  • For special occasions, finish each bowl with a drizzle of your best olive oil and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to elevate the entire experience.
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