Behind the Seasoning: Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone

We set out to create a dish that captured the the spirit of community and gathering around a dining room table that spans cultures and languages. There's something special about the smell of simmering soup that summons us to sit and share and slurp and socialize. Mangia!

What is Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone?

Minestrone is a traditional Italian soup that is often made with pasta and whatever vegetables are in season and on hand. With a little something for everyone, minestrone is the perfect dish to celebrate the colossal flavors of Italian cuisine: savory tomato, sweet basil, robust oregano, aromatic garlic, and sunny lemon. 

You might not have an Italian nonna to make this delicious soup and tell you to eat, but this is the next best thing. This hearty, flavorful soup will satisfy your stomach and your soul.

Where and How to Buy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone

If you are craving a bowl of minestrone, your local market will have all of the ingredients you need to make a big bowl of soup. There are many great recipes out there if you want to make this classic dish from scratch.

However, if you're looking for a shortcut, our Spice & Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone is already 90% there. All you need to do is add your favorite vegetables and pasta into the mix - it’s that simple. The Meal Starter Spice Mix can be bought individually or in 3-packs to help you save a few bucks (it's also a great option to keep in your pantry for dinner in a pinch). 

What spices and seasonings are in Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone?

Bright and herby with rich, umami flavor, our new Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone is as easy to make as it is to eat. Each mix comes loaded with a host of heavenly herbs like basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. A few kitchen staples—a little butter, diced tomatoes, and your favorite pasta and seasonal vegetables—are all that's needed to turn this delicious mix into an easy meal for the whole family.

What is special about sun-dried tomatoes?

If you’re not so sure about sun-dried tomatoes, there is nothing to be skeptical about. As their name suggests, these tomatoes are dried under the sun. Drying the tomatoes in the sun removes moisture and gives them a much thicker skin. During this process, the tomatoes develop a chewy texture that is sweet and a little tart. You'll often see these in the grocery store in a jar. We use a dried, powdered version, which adds a sweet, slightly raisin-like note to this mix of spices for soup.

What does Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone taste like?

This minestrone soup is comfort food in a bite. One spoonful and your tastebuds will experience a bright and herby flavor that is warm and filled with umami notes and subtle sweetness.  

One of the best parts about our Spice & Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone is that the flavors are super customizable. Minestrone traditionally varies by region and by the season. We provide the base, but choosing vegetables and pasta is up to you.

The veggie pasta-bilities are virtually endless. Add peas, carrots, potatoes, and bow-tie pasta for an American twist. Or try kale and asparagus with ditalini for a bright spring flavor. Winter vegetables like squash and carrots with tortellini is perfect for a snowy afternoon. 

What are the ingredients of minestrone soup?

Minestrone soup is one of those recipes that is a little different depending on who you ask (and they will each tell you that theirs is the best!). The base typically consists of a blend of vegetables, beans, and elbow pasta swimming in a tomato-based broth.

While our simple Spice & Easy Meal Starter Spice Mix only calls for a few ingredients, you can definitely add even more to the pot. This minestrone is vegetarian but feel free to add in some sausage. You can also add whatever beans you'd like or swap the pasta for rice or other grains. Just make sure to adjust your cooking time. 

What can be substituted for Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone?

If you have a craving for Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone and can’t get your hands on our Spice & Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone Meal Starter Spice Mix, there are some other options you can turn to make a similar bowl of goodness. Our Tomato Powder mixed with your choice of stock plus vegetables, pasta, and a blend of pantry herbs and seasonings like basil, thyme, garlic, salt, pepper, and rosemary will make for a tasty bowl of soup. 

We also have a few other recipes that you might want to try instead. Italian Style Vegetarian Farro Soup also has tomatoes and vegetables with Italian Herbs. If you want to leave out the tomatoes and add some meat, try Tuscan Sausage & Potato Soup instead.

What's the difference between minestrone and vegetable soup?

While the two soups have some overlap in ingredients, they differ when it comes to taste. Think of the two soups as cousins rather than siblings. They both load up on vegetables, however, vegetable soups tend to be more straightforward when it comes to ingredients and highlight just the vegetables. The staple ingredients in minestrone soup include vegetables, beans, and pasta. The texture of the two soups makes them different, as well. Minestrone is also typically a little chunkier and vegetables soups might have the veggies chopped a little finer.

How to Make Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone

Our Spice & Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone couldn’t be easier to make. Our Spice & Easy Meal Starter Spice Mix cuts down the prep work but highlights the flavor of the dish to make it taste like you spent all day in the kitchen. 

All you need to do is melt butter in a large pot and pour in the Spice & Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone, tomatoes, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce it to medium-low heat, and let it simmer. 

While the pot simmers, prepare your favorite vegetables. Chop up carrots, kale, potatoes, or squash. After about 20 minutes, add the vegetables and pasta. Then simmer until the pasta is cooked and the veggies are tender.

This soup is excellent for getting rid of any leftovers in your fridge. Throw in onions, celery, carrots, or whatever vegetable is sitting in your crisper drawer. The Spice & Easy mix takes care of the seasoning and flavor to blend all the leftovers together in a pot.

If you want to skip the chopping all together, use frozen or canned veggies instead. Just wait to add them until the pasta is almost cooked through.

What To Serve With Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone

Sun-Dried Tomato Minestrone is hearty enough to be the star of the meal. But if you're having guests over and want to round out the meal, it's easy to pair with other dishes. Here are some of our favorite dishes to eat the soup alongside. 

• Spicy Margherita Flatbread - This flatbread is spicy and sweet all in one bite. It’s a great light bite with a big bowl of soup.  
• Warm Pesto Bread - Upgrade your old-school garlic bread with herbs and cheese and use it to sop up any leftover broth.
• Lemon Chicken Cacciatore - With loads of spices and flavors in the soup, this chicken is a bright entree that pairs perfectly.
• Creamy Italian Dressing - Soup and salad is a classic combination. Top your favorite salad with this creamy Italian dressing for a great flavor companion. 
• Truffle Parm Apple Grilled Cheese—There is nothing like a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of soup on a rainy day. This elevated version of this sandwich makes for a tasty combo with the sun-dried minestrone.  

Share your minestrone meal with us on Instagram (@savoryspiceshop) and for even more internationally inspired seasonings, shop our World Flavors selections.