This Soulful Southern Style Minestrone Soup is a hearty blend of veggies, beans, and elbow macaroni simmered in a flavorful broth with collard greens and a touch of hot sauce for Southern flair. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings and pairs beautifully with cornbread or on its own.

Y’all know I love a good pot of soup, and when the weather starts to get a little chilly, there’s nothing like a big ol’ bowl of comfort to warm you up from the inside out. This Soulful Southern Style Minestrone Soup brings the best of both worlds—Southern flavor with a hearty Italian twist. We’re talking collard greens, a touch of hot sauce, and that oh-so-satisfying combo of beans and pasta. Whether you’re fixing it for the family or just want to treat yourself, this recipe will have you feeling cozy and full in no time.

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Bacon grease (or olive oil): For that rich, Southern flavor base. (I love bacon grease, but olive oil works if you prefer!)
Onion: Finely chopped to start building that aromatic flavor.
Carrots: Sliced into thin rounds to add a slight sweetness and texture.
Bell pepper: Diced for a hint of sweetness and color.
Celery: Diced, because no soup is complete without it!
Zucchini: Chopped into half-moons for some extra veggie goodness.
Garlic: Minced—because garlic makes everything better.
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (14 oz can): Adds that smoky, deep flavor we love.
Tomato paste: To thicken the soup and intensify the tomato flavor.
Chicken broth (or vegetable broth): Your base; choose veggie broth for a vegetarian option.
Italian seasoning: The perfect blend of herbs to tie it all together.
Smoked paprika: Adds depth and a touch of Southern soul.
Cannellini beans (15 oz can): Drained and rinsed for a creamy texture.
Kidney beans (15 oz can): Drained and rinsed for heartiness and color.
Elbow macaroni: Classic pasta choice to make it stick-to-your-ribs good.
Collard greens (or spinach): Chopped and stirred in at the end for that Southern flair.
Seasoning Salt: To bring all those flavors together.
Hot sauce: Because a little heat makes everything better. Adjust to your liking!
Fresh parsley: Chopped for a fresh finish.
Parmesan cheese (optional): For a rich, savory garnish.

Make Southern Style Minestrone Soup

Directions:

Prepare the Base
In a large pot, heat your bacon grease (or olive oil) over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onions, carrots, bell pepper, and celery. Let them sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften and smell oh-so-good. Then add in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, stirring constantly so it doesn’t burn.
Build the Soup
Next, stir in those fire-roasted diced tomatoes and the tomato paste—this is where that rich flavor starts to build. Add your chicken (or veggie) broth, along with the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let the flavors start getting cozy with each other.
Add the Main Ingredients
Now it’s time to throw in your beans and elbow macaroni. Continue simmering for about 10-12 minutes, until the pasta is perfectly al dente, and the veggies are tender but still holding their shape.
Finish with Greens
Stir in those chopped collard greens (or spinach if you prefer) and let them wilt down for about 3 minutes. Add the Seasoning Salt and hot sauce—taste and adjust depending on how bold you like it.
Serve and Garnish
Ladle this hearty, comforting soup into bowls and top it off with some freshly chopped parsley. If you’re feeling extra fancy, go ahead and sprinkle on a little Parmesan cheese. Honey, you deserve it!

Tips and tricks for the perfect Minestrone Soup

Go Vegetarian: If you’re skipping the meat, use vegetable broth and olive oil instead of bacon grease. You won’t lose a bit of flavor.
Make it Heartier: If you’re extra hungry, feel free to add more beans or a little extra pasta to make it even more filling.
Storage: This soup keeps beautifully! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Just keep in mind that the pasta might get a little softer once reheated.
Spice it Up: Adjust the hot sauce to your taste. If you want even more kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some extra smoked paprika.

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Soulful Southern Style Minestrone Soup

This Southern-inspired Minestrone Soup is a rich mix of vegetables, beans, and pasta, all simmered in a savory broth with collard greens and a dash of hot sauce for that classic Southern kick. It's a cozy, satisfying dish that's perfect for cooler days and pairs well with cornbread or can be enjoyed solo.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Servings people

Ingredients

1 tablespoon bacon grease or olive oil
1 cup onion finely chopped
1/2 cup carrots sliced into thin rounds
1/2 cup bell pepper diced
1/2 cup celery diced
1 medium zucchini chopped into half-moons
3 cloves garlic minced
1 14- ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 15- ounce can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
1 15- ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
1/2 cup elbow macaroni
2 cups collard greens chopped (or substitute with spinach)
2 teaspoons Seasoning Salt
1 tablespoon hot sauce adjust to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving Optional

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the bacon grease (or olive oil) over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté the vegetables until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.
Stir in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Add the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika, mixing well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Once the soup is simmering, add the cannellini beans, kidney beans, and elbow macaroni. Continue to simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the chopped collard greens, letting them wilt for about 3 minutes. Add the Seasoning Salt and hot sauce, adjusting the amount to your taste preference.
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. For an extra touch of richness, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

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Soulful Southern Style Minestrone Soup

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