Instant Pot Minestrone Soup (Olive Garden Copycat)

I have always been a fan of Olive Garden and one of my all time favorite meals in the winter months is their classic minestrone soup. There is not much better than this hearty soup with tons of healthy vegetables to trigger feelings of nostalgia and warmth. My copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe is so much more than your average vegetable soup. Instead it is a dream in a bowl that turns busy weeknights into a slow and savory gathering of loved ones. 

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Table Of Contents

Ingredients For Easy Minestrone Soup

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 6 oz bag of fresh baby spinach
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 14 oz Italian green beans, drained
• 30 oz great northern beans (also called cannellini beans), drained
• 30 oz red kidney beans, drained
• 14 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 cups shell pasta
• 32 oz vegetable broth
• 2 1/2 cups water

Copycat Olive Garden Recipe

Step-By-Step Instructions

To begin making this healthy soup you will start by turning on your Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil to the bottom of the large pot. Sauté the onion and celery. Once the onion has softened add in the garlic and finish sautéing.

Next, turn off the sauté and add in all of your drained canned beans, fresh vegetables, spinach leaves, tomato paste, vegetable stock, and water. 

Stir everything together, add your seasonings, pasta, and water, and give everything another good stir before sealing the lid onto your pressure cooker.

To cook this delicious homemade soup select high pressure and set the cook time to five minutes. Allow the pressure go through a natural release for ten minutes before hitting the quick release button. 

Crockpot or Slow Cooker Directions

To make my Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe in a slow cooker you will follow many of the same steps above with just a few changes.

Sauté your onion, celery, and garlic as above and then add those fresh veggies along with all of the other ingredients into your slow cooker.

Cook the homemade soup on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Stove Top Directions

Start the Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe by sautéing the onion, celery, and garlic in the bottom of a large stock pot.

Add the remaining ingredients into your large pot and cook on medium heat for 30-45 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked.

Ingredient Substitutions Or Modifications

One of the reasons I think this is the best minestrone soup recipe is that the ingredients are so forgiving. If you need to make a few adjustments you’ll still have that thick soup of Italian origin with savory tomato broth that we know and love from the Olive Garden soup. 

Here are a few substitutions I’ve made from time to time:

• yellow squash instead of zucchini
• tomato sauce instead of tomato paste
• white beans or black beans instead of one of the other canned beans
• ​any small pasta, such as elbow macaroni, instead of shell pasta
• chicken broth instead of vegetable broth
• adding Italian sausage to feed more people

Note: if you want this to be a vegetarian or vegan soup then check your dry pasta shells to make sure they meet your dietary preferences. Also you will want to avoid adding any meat, meat based broths, or topping the soup with cheese. 

Making Ahead, Freezing, and Proper Storage

Preparing Olive Garden’s Minestrone Soup ahead of time is a brilliant way to ensure a quick and delicious meal whenever you need it. Follow these steps to make the most of your soup:

• Cooling Down: Allow the soup to cool before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which could lead to freezer burn or a soggy texture. If you know you are making the soup ahead of time then you can store the dry pasta separately from the rest of the ingredients to maintain its texture.
• Portioning: Divide the soup into individual portions or family-sized servings based on your preferences. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.
• Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers or freezer-safe bags to store the soup. Be sure to leave some space at the top to account for expansion as the soup freezes.
• Label and Date: Don’t forget to label the containers with the contents and date of preparation. This helps you keep track of how long the soup has been stored.

Freezing And Reheating

• Freezing: Minestrone Soup freezes remarkably well. Once properly stored, it can be frozen for up to 3 months without a significant loss of flavor. However, the sooner you consume it, the better the taste and texture will be.
• Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the soup, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before. Slow thawing helps maintain the soup’s integrity. Alternatively, you can thaw it gently in the microwave.
• Reheating: Reheat the Minestrone Soup gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat. You might need to add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

Flavor Intensification

One of the most delightful aspects of making Minestrone Soup ahead of time is how the flavors deepen and develop over hours or days of storage. As the soup rests, the various ingredients mingle and meld, resulting in a more harmonious and robust taste.

This flavor enhancement can be especially pronounced after freezing and thawing, as the temperature changes encourage the flavors to intermingle even further.

So, whether you’re enjoying your Minestrone Soup immediately after cooking or savoring it from the freezer, you’re in for a delightful culinary experience that showcases the magic of slow flavor infusion.

How To Serve Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

After you have hit the quick pressure release and removed the lid be sure to first remove the bay leaf before serving up your yummy Italian soup.

For a touch of authenticity, consider pairing the soup with a rustic loaf of crusty bread, perfect for sopping up every last drop of the flavorful tomato-based broth.

A great way to enhance the experience is by sprinkling a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top, allowing it to melt and meld with the flavors. For a vegetarian option you could use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.