Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup by Todd Wilbur

*~Suzy~*'s Note:

It's finally here! What everyone's been waiting for! Just in time for winter, this soup is sure to warm your soul with it's savory flavor and wonderful aroma. I've asked many an Olive Garden waiter for this recipe, but none gave it to me in detail. One waiter told me the secret ingredient was to add a little red wine to the stock, but I'll leave that up to you to try.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini
• 1/2 cup frozen cut Italian cut green beans
• 1/4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
• 4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note ( Do not use chicken broth!*)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
• 2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup carrot (julienned or shredded)
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 cups hot water
• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup small shell pasta

Directions:

1. Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.
2. Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.
3. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.
4. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.
6. Makes about eight 1 1/2 cup servings.

Reviews

[Little Of Everything]

I work at Olive Garden, and every time I dish out a bowl at work for a guest, a crave comes over me the size of the empire state building! And while I could probably get away with it, I don't feel like risking my job for a quick gulp of the best soup ever. So, I've been scouring the web for something that would satisfy this craving. This recipe was close. Very close. A few things I'd change to make it more true to the Olive Garden recipe: I wouldn't chop the zucchini, but slice it. I'd add cabbage. I'd leave out at least one can of beans, and add another can of tomato. It needs more pepper. I'd increase the amount of green beans. There is something else too, that I can't put my finger on . Maybe I'll do a little digging at work and find out. But anyway, this is really close and very good so thanks for posting.

[PescatariYum]

I just have to say that the wine makes all of the difference in this recipe. It's good without it...but it's totally Olive Garden's soup with it. I used about 1/2 cup of Yellowtail Shiraz in the last 15-20 minutes. When it was done I nearly died. This is seriously the secret to Olive Garden's minestrone!!!!!!

[Miss Annie]

Wow! This is some good soup. I have never tried it at Olive Garden, but if you say this is close I will have to go try it soon. Flavors, color, just the right amount of herbs and seasonings are all here. I did not add the red wine until I try OG's to see if it really is in there. However, this was absolutely lovely and I thank you Suzy for sharing it. I would recommend this to anyone!