• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Lemons + Zest logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Our Adoption Story
  • Privacy Policy
  • Follow me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Soups + Chili / Chunky Italian Vegetable Soup

    Chunky Italian Vegetable Soup

    Last Updated August 10, 2023. Published October 9, 2020 By Lorie 20 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Italian vegetable soup in pot and then in bowl with chopped parsley and parmesan over top.

    This simple chunky Italian Vegetable Soup is the perfect cozy recipe for a cool day. Simple to make, loaded with vegetables, beans and pasta, and perfectly flavored with Italian seasoning that is rounded out with fresh parmesan on top. Great with crusty bread and someone you love!

    Bowl of chunky Italian vegetable soup with spoon and topped with parmesan and shredded parsley.

    This recipe was originally published December 2014 and updated to include new photos October 2020.

    Slow down with some Chunky Italian Vegetable Soup--that's what a good bowl of soup is for, right?

    This is THAT soup for our family. It is the soup we make from the onset of cold weather and repeatedly throughout the fall and winter. I make this soup, my Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup, Sausage Gnocchi Soup, and Tomato Tortellini Soup on repeat as well! All the soup!

    Aside from being super simple, it is not your average veggie soup.

    Why You Will Love This Italian Vegetable Soup:

    • It is packed with veggies and more! Lots of good stuff to eat in this veggie soup. Isn't that what it should be? Spinach, carrots, celery--lots of ingredients to make it good for the soul and the body!
    • It is super hearty. My one problem with some soups is that they are not hearty enough. I want a soup that will really fill me up. All the chunks in this Italian vegetable soup add a lot of goodness. The beans give some protein, pasta gives it carbs and the veggies are an added bonus. Top with cheese to make it even more of a meal.
    • Freezer friendly. Freezing soup is another amazing part of making it. Love to freeze leftovers. I put this soup into individual jars and freeze for single servings. The pasta can be a bit different in texture after freezing, but overall it is still great!
    • Leftovers are even better than the day you made it! Having a day or two to soak in all the seasoning and flavor makes the soup as leftovers that much better!
    Overhead view of vegetable soup in dutch oven with ladle scooping in.

    What you need to make this recipe:

    • carrots: carrots are my favorite part of soup, I often add extra. Fresh carrots are suggested versus frozen or canned. If you only have canned or frozen, add them in at the end so they don't become overly mushy.
    • celery: freshly sliced is best again
    • onion: yellow or red onion work well. Red is what we have on hand most of the time, but I have used yellow and loved that as well.
    • garlic: fresh garlic is strongly suggested, minced.
    • Italian seasoning: if your Italian seasoning has garlic in it, just be careful when adding it as it may be too much. If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can easily make your own. I like to use equal parts dried oregano, basil, rosemary and thyme.
    • parsley: dried is what we use. You can toss freshly chopped over top before serving.
    • broth: since it is vegetable soup, vegetable broth is the preference in this soup. Chicken broth will work, but the flavor profile will be different. Low or no sodium broth is suggested so that you can have all the control over the saltiness of the soup.
    • beans: canned, pre-cooked and no salt added are the preference. Cannellini beans are great to add if you want to switch up the kidney beans
    • diced tomatoes: again, canned are ideal in this Italian vegetable soup
    • bay leaf: this adds another level of flavor although many question the use of a bay leaf. We like adding one!
    • tomato paste: this thickens the broth up slightly which is my preference. I don't like watery broths. If you want a thinner broth, you can skip it.
    • spinach: fresh, baby spinach is ideal. You could use frozen as well.
    • pasta: ditolini or rotini are my favorite, but your favorite short pasta is great. Ditalini is another favorite, it cooks up a bit faster than others. Once you add the pasta, make sure to keep an eye on the soup so it doesn't overcook
    Vegetable soup ingredients labeled on counter.

    Step-By-Step Instructions:

    Start out by chopping all of your veggies up. That honestly takes the longest. I am a huge proponent of frozen veggie soup starters for days I just don't have it in me.

    Sauté the veggies in olive oil until the onions become translucent. (step 1) The carrots will still be pretty firm at this point.

    Turn the heat down to medium and add the tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, bay leaf, garlic, spices, salt, pepper and broth. Stir to combine and then heat for about 25-30 minutes, or until the carrots have softened. (steps 2-3)

    The soup will be at a low boil at this point. If for any reason, the boiling becomes a rapid boil, lower the heat a bit.

    Vegetables and broth in soup pot.

    Once the carrots are soft, you are set to add the pasta. You want to make sure you are adding the pasta about 15 minutes before serving this chunky vegetable soup for best results. You can simmer the soup on low if you are not quite ready to serve.

    Add in the pasta and spinach and stir to combine. Allow the soup to stay at a low boil and stir occasionally. Test the noodles after about 10-12 minutes, and allow to cook another several minutes, until al dente. (step 4)

    Serve with your favorite soup toppings or a big grilled cheese sandwich!

    Pasta and spinach added to soup pot and then finished soup in pot.

    Notes and Pro-Tips:

    • One thing you DO NOT want to do is add the uncooked pasta and then walk away for a solid 30 minutes or so. The pasta will essentially break down and you will end up with starchy broth mush instead of soup with pasta. If you are worried about this, you can certainly add already cooked pasta just before serving.
    • This chunky vegetable soup freezes well. Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to one month. I like to freeze individual servings and then I can pull them out for a simple lunch or dinner for one!
    • I have made this soup with gluten free pasta as well. Rice pasta is the one I have found to be the most successful. Do not overcook the pasta for best results. You can also cook the pasta prior to making the soup and toss it in just before serving.
    • I enjoy adding zucchini as well as chopped cabbage sometimes into this soup to change things up.
    Pot of Italian vegetable soup topped with parsley.

    What To Serve With This Italian Vegetable Soup:

    • Big pieces of crusty bread--you know soup and bread are a perfect match!
    • Grilled Cheese is ALWAYS a good idea with soup, right? This Havarti Avocado Grilled Cheese is always a fan favorite!
    • A good soup and salad night is always a great option. And this Spring Green Salad with Sourdough Croutons is a great option. This Caprese Farro Salad would go right along with the flavors of the soup for sure!

    Other Soup Recipes:

    • WHITE BEAN, KALE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
    • SLOW COOKER CREAMY CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SOUP
    • BLACK BEAN AND RICE SOUP
    • MAPLE ROASTED SWEET POTATO CARROT SOUP
    • SLOW COOKER SWEET POTATO CHILI
    • PUMPKIN QUINOA CHILI
    • TOMATO TORTELLINI SOUP

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all the latest!

    Dutch oven with vegetable soup topped with chopped parsley.

    Chunky Italian Vegetable Soup

    This simple chunky Italian Vegetable Soup is the perfect cozy recipe for a cool day. Simple to make, loaded with vegetables, beans and pasta, and perfectly flavored with Italian seasoning that is rounded out with fresh parmesan on top. Great with crusty bread and someone you love!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Soup
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 266kcal
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    • 3-4 large carrots
    • 3 celery stalks
    • 1 onion
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ T Italian seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon parsley
    • 8 cup vegetable broth or stock
    • 2 cans kidney beans (approx. 15 oz.)
    • 1 can diced tomatoes (approx. 14.5 oz.) I don't drain the juices
    • 1 bay leaf
    • ⅓ cup tomato paste
    • 3 cups baby spinach
    • 1 ⅓ cup short pasta (rotini, macaroni, ditolini, etc.) uncooked
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Chop carrots, celery and onion. Sauté the veggies in large soup pot until onions are translucent in olive oil
    • Add in minced garlic, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, parsley, bay leaf, and tomato paste. If you like a thick broth, you can even add ½ cup tomato paste. For a thinner broth, add ⅓ cup or less. Cook on medium for about 30 minutes or until carrots and celery are tender. Stir occasionally. The soup should be at a very soft boil so make adjustments to your stove's needs.
    • Add in spinach and uncooked pasta. Continue to heat at a soft boil for another 15 minutes or until pasta is completely cooked. Add more seasonings to taste and simmer until ready to serve.
    • Chill leftovers in a sealed container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to about 6 weeks.

    Notes

    • One thing you DO NOT want to do is add the uncooked pasta and then walk away for a solid 30 minutes or so. The pasta will essentially break down and you will end up with starchy broth mush instead of soup with pasta. If you are worried about this, you can certainly add already cooked pasta just before serving.
    • This chunky vegetable soup freezes well. Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to one month. I like to freeze individual servings and then I can pull them out for a simple lunch or dinner for one!
    • I have made this soup with gluten free pasta as well. Rice pasta is the one I have found to be the most successful. Do not overcook the pasta for best results. You can also cook the pasta prior to making the soup and toss it in just before serving.
    • I enjoy adding zucchini as well as chopped cabbage sometimes into this soup to change things up.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 998mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 7480IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

    Shop This Post:

    Image of Dutch Oven Pot

    Dutch Oven Pot

    Buy Now →
    Image of Garlic Press

    Garlic Press

    Buy Now →
    Image of Ladle

    Ladle

    Buy Now →
    « Whole Wheat Hidden Veggie Packed Mini Pizzas
    Apple Cinnamon Donuts with Apple Cider Glaze »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Georgette says

      February 23, 2022 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      This was delish! Subbed garbanzos, added mushrooms, corn, peas and a parmesan rind! Will definitely make again!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        February 25, 2022 at 11:13 am

        Love all the extra veggies! And I will be adding a parmesan rind to mine next time as well!

        Reply
    2. Rebecca says

      September 04, 2019 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      this looks so good! I'm all about this simple soup when it actually cools down this fall!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        September 11, 2019 at 8:15 am

        I know right?? Cannot wait for cooler weather!

        Reply
    3. Kelly LeBeau says

      November 28, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      Hey! Just a quick question. Two actually... are you using a 28 oz can of tomatoes? And do you drain them first? Thanks so much 🙂 looking forward to making this

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        November 28, 2017 at 9:24 pm

        Hi Kelly! I use 14.5 oz cans and I don’t drain them first. If you like your soup super thick then you could!

        Reply
        • Kelly says

          December 04, 2017 at 4:01 pm

          Thank you!!! Making it tonight:) super excited

          Reply
          • Lorie says

            December 04, 2017 at 10:49 pm

            Yes! I’m jealous of your dinner. Haaa!

            Reply
    4. Kristina @ Love & Zest says

      October 11, 2017 at 10:56 am

      This soup is warming me up just looking at it! I love your recipe so much! I cannot wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:44 pm

        So good! Hope you love it!

        Reply
    5. Christine says

      October 11, 2017 at 10:48 am

      This looks SO delicious! Very perfect for fall and the cooler temps right now. I'd love to make this for dinner later this week!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:44 pm

        We finally have cooler temps around here so it’s a go for us!

        Reply
    6. Maria says

      October 10, 2017 at 9:17 pm

      I love that soup season is almost here! Looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:44 pm

        Agree!

        Reply
    7. Ana says

      October 10, 2017 at 4:39 pm

      yum yum yum - i love the cold weather for the soups. Saving this one for later!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:45 pm

        Thanks and enjoy Ana!

        Reply
    8. Jessica @ Small Bites by Jessica says

      October 10, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      This looks so fitting for fall! Can't wait until the cooler temps get here so I can make a big batch!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:45 pm

        Enjoy Jessica!

        Reply
    9. Deryn | Running on Real Food says

      October 10, 2017 at 1:36 pm

      I love this, all I value at Christmas these days is indeed being with my family, and lots of eating hahah. But for sure that took time to learn. Also how are even talking about this already?! I'm so looking forward to the holiday season either way, it's the best time of year!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        October 12, 2017 at 12:46 pm

        Ha, it’s an old post!!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to lemons + zest!

    Hello! I’m Lorie, welcome to lemons + zest! If you love to eat, and you love delicious, simple recipes, then you are in the right place. When it comes to cooking these days, I firmly believe that if it takes too long, or too much work to make, then it’s not for me. Read More…

    30 Minute Dinners

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Ground beef pasta recipe in skillet with parsley and basil on top.

    Simple Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

    Spinach Ricotta Chicken

    Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Tomato and Basil

    Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Easy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

    honey lime chicken fajitas on sheet pan.

    Honey Lime Baked Chicken Fajitas

    Simple Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner

    Skillet with chicken thighs and fresh parsley on top.

    Creamy Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

    Vegan sloppy Joes on bun with chips.

    15 Minute Vegan Sloppy Joes

    More 30 Minute Recipes →

    Top Recipes

    Cream of mushroom bone in pork chop with parsley on top over mashed potatoes.

    Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

    Glass jar with overnight oats topped with sliced banana and topped with peanut butter.

    Protein Overnight Oats

    Vanilla cold brew coffee overnight oats in jar with spoon beside it and napkin behind.

    Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Overnight Oats

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    White bowl with lemon orzo salad topped with extra feta cheese and parsley.

    Easy Lemon Orzo Salad With Feta

    Tortellini Caprese salad in white bowl with fresh basil.

    Tortellini Caprese Salad

    Overhead view of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken on cutting board.

    Simple Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

    Pop tarts with sprinkles stacked.

    Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust

    More Top Recipes →

    Copyright © 2023 · lemons + zest