Minestrone Soup in Jar (Print View)

Hearty vegetable and pasta soup layered in jars. Make ahead, store, then add water and heat for a convenient, nourishing meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Base Layer

01 - 1/3 cup small pasta (ditalini, elbow macaroni, or mini shells)

→ Dried Beans & Legumes

02 - 2 tbsp dried red lentils
03 - 2 tbsp canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables

04 - 1/3 cup zucchini, diced
05 - 1/3 cup carrots, diced
06 - 1/3 cup celery, diced
07 - 1/4 cup frozen green peas
08 - 1/4 cup baby spinach, chopped

→ Tomato & Flavor

09 - 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
10 - 1 tbsp tomato paste

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - 1 vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled

→ For Serving

17 - 2 cups boiling water per jar
18 - Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Layer ingredients in each clean quart-size mason jar in this order from bottom to top: pasta, lentils, beans, carrots, celery, zucchini, peas, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, seasonings, and bouillon cube. Press down gently to compact if needed.
02 - Seal jars tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days until ready to use.
03 - When ready to eat, remove jar from refrigerator. Add 2 cups boiling water to cover all ingredients. Stir well or screw lid back on and shake gently to combine.
04 - Let sit for 10-15 minutes until pasta is cooked and vegetables are tender. Alternatively, microwave the open jar without metal lid for 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway through.
05 - Stir again, season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed, and top with grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Each jar feels like unwrapping a present to yourself on busy workdays when cooking feels impossible but you still deserve something wholesome.
  • The vibrant layers look genuinely beautiful sitting in your refrigerator, making meal prep feel more like a creative activity than a chore.
02 -
  • Dont cut vegetables too large or theyll remain too crunchy even after steeping in hot water for the full time.
  • Adding the tomato paste near the top rather than mixed throughout prevents it from clumping around dry ingredients and allows it to properly dissolve.
03 -
  • Use wide-mouth mason jars for easier ingredient layering and eating directly from the jar without struggling to reach the bottom.
  • For travel, secure the lid with a rubber band and wrap in a kitchen towel inside your bag to prevent temperature changes and potential leaks.
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