What to serve with minestrone soup? From crusty bread to crunchy salads, I have some amazing ideas to take your soup experience to the next level.
Minestrone soup is a hearty Italian soup containing beans, pasta, and vegetables. It’s comforting and filling.
What goes well with minestrone soup? I’ll help you explore the best flavor combinations!
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What bread to serve with minestrone soup?
Fresh bread pairs well with minestrone soup. Some great ideas are:
- Italian bread
Serve minestrone soup with sliced ciabatta, baguette, or rustic Italian bread. Italian bread pair nicely with minestrone soup’s garlicky tomato flavor.
- Focaccia
Focaccia is a type of flat Italian bread with herbs and olive oil. Its chewiness and saltiness can pair very nicely with your bowl of soup. You can also top it with cheese for extra flavor (how about cubes of fried halloumi or a halloumi alternative).
- Garlic bread
Garlic toast bread can add amazing flavor to minestrone soup. Spread butter and chopped garlic over bread pieces, top with grated Parmesan cheese, and toast in the oven until golden and crispy. I love how minestrone’s tomato-based liquid complements garlicky notes.
- Whole grain bread
For a healthy minestrone soup side, try whole grain bread. Whole wheat or multigrain breads provide more fiber and minerals than refined breads and give a nutty taste and substantial texture to your meal.
- Bagel
Try toasted bagels with minestrone soup. Bagels are thick and chewy, and their somewhat sweet flavor contrasts well with the soup’s savory aromas.
Your minestrone soup bread choice relies on your tastes and diet. To increase taste and texture, toast or reheat your bread before serving.
What sandwich goes with minestrone soup?
Sandwiches can be a hearty accompaniment for soup. These sandwiches complement minestrone soup’s rich flavors:
- Grilled cheese
Thick soup pairs well with melting cheese, crusty bread, and savory spices. For added flavor, add sliced tomatoes, onions, or bacon to your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or provolone.
You can also check out these alternatives to white cheddar for your favorite sandwich.
- Italian panini
Minestrone soup pairs well with Italian paninis. Salami, prosciutto, mortadella, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and pesto make a delicious sandwich. Grill it till crispy and golden for a delicious soup-complementing sandwich.
You can leave out the meat for a vegetarian panini. I like to top it with roasted eggplant and zucchini, mozzarella cheese, pesto, and olive oil.
- Vegetable wrap
A vegetarian wrap with minestrone soup is a lighter alternative. Fill a whole wheat or spinach wrap with lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, and avocado. Add hummus or a mild dressing for taste, and you’ll have a healthful and tasty wrap that complements the soup and adds crunch.
Adding a grilled cheese sandwich, Italian panini, or vegetable wrap to soup makes it heartier. Next time you have minestrone soup, try these tasty additions to enhance your meal.
What kind of salad to serve with minestrone soup?
Let’s choose a salad that complements Italian minestrone soup’s rich taste. Here are some salad pairings with a variety of flavors:
- Italian chopped salad
Minestrone soup pairs well with Italian salad. A zesty Italian vinaigrette coats lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and provolone cheese. Fresh vegetables and acidic dressing can contrast the soup’s flavors and textures.
- Caesar salad
Caesar salad goes well with minestrone soup. Crisp romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese swirled in a creamy Caesar dressing can add creaminess and zest to your hearty soup.
If you need extra protein, many people like grilled chicken or shrimp. My option for vegetarians is grilled tofu.
- Bean salad
Minestrone soup contains beans, making a bean salad a perfect side dish. Bean salads can be made using cannellini beans, kidney beans, mung beans at a stretch, chickpeas, sliced bell peppers, red onions, and fresh herbs.
A mild vinaigrette and all the fresh ingredients also make it super healthy!
- Caprese salad
To balance the richness of your soup, try serving it with a Caprese salad. Balsamic glaze and olive oil sprinkled over fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil provide a bright, acidic contrast.
- Mixed greens salad
Lettuce, spinach, and arugula make a delicious mixed greens salad for minestrone soup. To personalize, add cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and a simple vinaigrette. Just use any seasonal vegetables you have available.
If you can’t make an arugula salad, you can try out some of these arugula substitute greens, including baby kale, watercress and more.
Choosing a salad to serve with your hearty soup is easy—all it takes is a little creativity and the right ingredients. Have fun exploring all the different flavors!
What meat to serve with minestrone soup?
Minestrone soup is a tasty Italian soup with veggies, beans, and pasta or rice. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans like me.
For meat-eaters, there are various alternatives that pair well too. One of my friends suggested offering you these meat ideas:
- Italian sausage
Minestrone soup tastes great with sweet or spicy Italian sausage. Cook the sausage separately, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and add it to the soup in the last few minutes. Italian sausage’s herbs and spices lend depth to the soup.
- Pancetta or bacon
Minestrone soup goes well with pancetta or bacon. Use them as soup toppings after cooking them till crispy. Pancetta or bacon adds richness and smokiness to a bowl of minestrone soup.
- Prosciutto
Thinly sliced Italian cured ham is a tasty addition to minestrone soup. After crisping the prosciutto, scatter it over your delicious tomato broth before serving.
- Roast chicken
Roast chicken goes nicely with many soups, including minestrone. Serve sliced or shredded roast chicken on the side or add it to the soup for protein. Roast chicken’s soft, juicy flesh adds extra warmth to the soup.
- Meatballs
Serve minestrone soup with some meatballs. Bake or pan-fry meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices before adding them to the soup.
As a vegetarian, I have to say that I’m always a fan of vegetable-based soups, but if you’re a meat eater, any of these meats can make a great addition to your minestrone soup.
What wine to serve with minestrone soup?
Minestrone soup is a tasty Italian soup with veggies, beans, and pasta or rice. It’s a great option for vegetarians and vegans like me.
For meat-eaters, there are various alternatives that pair well too. One of my friends suggested offering you these meat ideas:
- Italian sausage
Minestrone soup tastes great with sweet or spicy Italian sausage. Cook the sausage separately, slice it into bite-sized pieces, and add it to the soup in the last few minutes. Italian sausage’s herbs and spices lend depth to the soup.
- Pancetta or bacon
Minestrone soup goes well with pancetta or bacon. Use them as soup toppings after cooking them till crispy. Pancetta or bacon adds richness and smokiness to a bowl of minestrone soup.
- Prosciutto
Thinly sliced Italian cured ham is a tasty addition to minestrone soup. After crisping the prosciutto, scatter it over your delicious tomato broth before serving.
- Roast chicken
Roast chicken goes nicely with many soups, including minestrone. Serve sliced or shredded roast chicken on the side or add it to the soup for protein. Roast chicken’s soft, juicy flesh adds extra warmth to the soup.
- Meatballs
Serve minestrone soup with some meatballs. Bake or pan-fry meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices before adding them to the soup.
As a vegetarian, I have to say that I’m always a fan of vegetable-based soups, but if you’re a meat eater, any of these meats can make a great addition to your minestrone soup.
Dessert to go with minestrone soup
It’s vital to find a dessert that matches minestrone soup’s substantial tastes without being too sugary or heavy. Desserts for minestrone soup include:
- Fruit salad
A fruit salad makes a light dessert after minestrone soup. Mix berries, citrus, melons, and stone fruits in a dish. For freshness, pour honey or sprinkle mint over your salad.
You can also consider some of these mint substitutes for an extra kick of freshness.
- Lemon sorbet
Minestrone soup’s rich tastes go well with lemon sorbet’s tartness. Lemon can cut the soup’s richness and renew the savory undertones.
- Biscotti
Italian twice-baked cookies provide a crisp and delicious dessert for minestrone soup. With a substantial soup, their crunchy, somewhat sweet texture is excellent. Simple almond or anise biscotti is a tasty treat!
- Yogurt with fresh berries
Yogurt with fresh berries is a healthful dessert for minestrone soup. Top your yogurt with fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. The soup’s strong taste can be balanced with sour yogurt and sweet berries.
If you need some extra ideas, I have an article on blueberry substitutes. Feel free to have a look!
- Olive oil cake
Olive oil cake is a moist, savory delicacy that pairs well with minestrone soup. The cake’s mild sweetness and olive oil’s fruitiness might compliment the soup’s savory qualities. For more taste, try a citrus- or almond-flavored olive oil cake.
Choose a dessert for minestrone soup based on taste balance and guest preferences. A dessert that matches the soup’s savory qualities without overpowering it is the ideal option.
Minestrone soup FAQs
In Italy, minestrone soup is typically served with crusty bread and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
No, not all minestrone recipes include pasta. Many recipes omit the ingredient, instead featuring a variety of legumes and vegetables.
If your minestrone tastes bland, try adding more herbs and spices such as oregano, basil, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Add additional vegetables like cooked potatoes or roasted peppers to increase flavor complexity. You can also balance flavors with a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
Parmesan cheese and aromatic herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano are the best toppings for minestrone soup.
BOTTOM LINE: Minestrone soup, paired with the correct sides, is substantial and delicious. You can get sandwiches, fresh salads, or bread. Rustic Italian bread, garlic bread or focaccia may soak up the delectable soup, while Italian chopped salad, Caprese salad or Caesar salad can provide freshness. Whatever you choose, you’re in for a real treat!
I hope you enjoyed the variety of side dishes for this hearty Italian vegetable soup. Share your favorite combinations in the comments below.
Are you looking for more Italian flavors? Check out these tasty sauces, salads, proteins and drinks to serve with ravioli! Or if you’re branching out, learn the best pairings for egg rolls, what to serve with frittatas for brunch and the perfect food to serve with empanadas!