It wasn't the best minestrone soup i've ever had. But I've improvise by doubling the tomato and adding some fresh herbs like basil, parsley. Not a 5 star recipe though

This is a great recipe. Like others I added a bit more... spinach, carrots, zucchini, and italian seasoning instead of the thyme. I also added just a few tablespoons of tomato puree and canned tomatoes instead of fresh. Also threw in a bay leaf of two and a part of a parmesan rind to richen the flavor. Also, very important to add the beans. I made it in two batches, and only put the beans in one as hubby is not a fan. The bean juice added a great dimension to the broth. Next time will definatly add it to all and just let him pick out the beans!

Much more flavorful after a day in the fridge! I didn't add any additional salt because my veg. stock was very salty already. I did add some crushed garlic to the pot with the veggies. This is a delicious, fresh way to get a days serving of vegetables. My boyfriend said he would have liked more pasta in the soup, in which case I would increase the veg. stock (and for those of you mathmatically challanged, like myself, 1.5 quarts is equivalent to 48 ounces of stock).

I'd give this more stars if I could. I've done this any number of ways, plus exactly as the recipe states. One comment that I didn't see from others is to add a dash of hot pepper sauce to the broth, adds just a little extra kick that my family loves. You can use just about ANY veggies that you have on hand, I also add some diced cabbage, great! Thanks for the super recipe!

Excellent! I quadrupled the recipe for a dinner party so I used a combination of cannelini, dark and light kidney beans, because that's what I had on hand. I made it the night before, let it sit in the fridge, and reheated it for dinner. I think it really helped the flavor set in all the vegetables. My friends still compliment me on it.

I didn't have a leek so I used an onion and also used chicken broth instead of veg. Thought it had a nice fresh taste. Simple recipe... I liked it!

DON'T EAT TIL YOU'VE LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT! That's my best advice for this soup. After I made it the first day, it didn't even smell good. Second day I would've given it 4 stars, by day 3 I'm giving it 5 stars (but since that's a little long to wait to eat, I'll stick to the 4 stars). I'm a picky eater: don't like cooked carrots, don't like many tomatoes, and don't get enough vegetables or beans. But stick em in this soup and I'll eat them all! My two year old will too! I didn't like how long it took to make, but I'll pay the price to eat this again. Also, I added another can of beans (turned out to be too many), put in about a cup of pasta with extra liquid (good amt of both), and put in italian seasoning. Excellent!

This was a good basic recipe. I did not use leek as the grocery store didn't have any. I also used dried thyme. Otherwise I followed the recipe.

Read the reviews and added more canned tomatoes as well as garlic. Yummy! Will make it again.

I took the advice of the other reviews and added 8 tablespoons of tomato puree, some garlic and a little fresh oregano that I had on hand. I have to tell you this minestrone soup is fabulous and my family loved it! I can't wait to see how it tastes tomorrow after sitting overnight! My husband's only complaint was there wasn't enough beans. If that's the only complaint I'd call this a sure addition to our family recipes. Thank you Michelle!

this is definitely a great soup! i was so happy with the results. i added a can of crushed tomatoes and used red kidney beans. i'll be making this again for sure.

This is a fantastic fail-safe recipe, you really can't go wrong no matter how you make it or how you change it! Unfortunately, I had to give it only 4 stars because my husband didn't like it as much as me-- his complaint was similar to all the other reviews, "it's kinda bland". I think it really comes down to your personal tastes and how you like your minestrone soup-- THIS SOUP HAS A LIGHT BROTH AND IS HEAVY ON THE VEGGIES. If, you're like me and you like your minestrone like that, then this is the soup for you! Changes I made to adapt to our own tastes: sauteed veggies in one crushed clove of garlic; I used closer to 2 quarts of vegatable broth since the noodles do soak up a lot of the liquid (can adjust broth to your own tastes); used one 14.5oz can of diced tomotoes stewed in garlic, oregano, & basil for more flavor and added one fresh diced tomoato; used about 1/2 tsp. dried thyme since I didn't have fresh thyme laying around (originally used full tsp. but found it overwhelming and had to siphon off some while it was cooking); and since my hubby likes noodles in his soup, I used 1 cup whole wheat noodles (they look white like regular pasta when cooked so no one is the wiser) and cooked them before adding them to the soup so they wouldn't suck up so much of the liquid (they came out to about 2 cups once cooked). Overall, it turned out quite balanced-- you get a little bit of everything you throw in there with each scoop.

This is so delicious. I followed the recipe pretty much as stated. Added a few more vegetables and some kidney beans. The only difference was to add 6-8 Tablespoons of tomato puree to the stock...I like the reddish color and it added a nice taste. Thank you so much for a keeper. I doubled it to freeze and will be enjoying this all winter long.

I'd read on another nutrition site that kids are supposed to eat 1/2 cup (or one light bulb full) of veggies a day and used this recipe to try to up their veggie intake. I almost dropped my fork in shock the 1st time I saw my picky 4 yr old devour this soup. I began making it once a week w/ the following changes: Add spinach, subbed chicken stock/broth, add garlic to oil before other veggies, add can of chick peas for extra protien. This also freezes REALLY well, I like to divide into tupperware and freeze for lunches! Thanks so much!!!

I always make a large batch of this, because it is even better the second or third day. It's a terrific summer dish, not only because the vegetables are in season, but because it's as delicious cold out of the fridge as it is warm. The only change I make is leaving out the green beans and adding spinach just before it's finished cooking (the heat of the soup is enough to cook the spinach).

This is a great easy soup to make. I use half an onion instead of the leek and add a can of red kidney beans(great if you are a bean lover). I also used dried thyme (maybe about 1 teaspoon) and it tastes fine. I've made this several times and my 18 month old loves it!!

I made this soup exactly according to instructions, and it turned out okay -not great, but okay. For a much more flavourful minestrone soup, I prefer "Minestrone Soup I" by A.Hatton on this site.

This recipe is very good. I added some crushed garlic, a couple pinches of oregano, and a full two quarts of stock, instead of 1.5 quarts because I added extra macaroni. Very tasty, especially as leftovers.

Absolutely delicious!! will make it over and over and over:)

This was great! I added alphabet pasta instead of macaroni, just for fun.