• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Food and Journeys®
  • WORLD CUISINES
  • HOW-TOS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • Notes on Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Categories
  • Countries
  • Global Pantry
  • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Categories
    • Countries
    • Global Pantry
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Soups

    Summer Minestrone (Minestrone alla Milanese)

    Published: Feb 28, 2020 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Neriz · This post contains some affiliate links.

    • 1
    Jump to Recipe

    Here’s a hearty and healthy soup for you!  Summer Minestrone (or Minestrone alla Milanese) is loaded with good vegetables and a bit of rice to provide the ‘comfort’ we all want from every bowl.  Enjoy it as an appetizer or a meal on its own!

    An overhead shot of a pan of summer minestrone with fresh basil and cheese next to it.

    This soup from Milano is traditionally served warm in cold months and room temperature in summer; hence its other name, ‘summer minestrone.’

    Is there a difference in the taste?  Nope, they taste just as delicious, regardless of the weather!

    When served as an appetizer, summer minestrone is a flavorful and light way to start any meal.

    And if you just want to eat it on its own, serve it with some country bread and your favorite glass of wine. 😉

    Regardless of how you want to enjoy it, a serving (or two) of affogato — ice cream drowned in coffee — is an excellent dessert to pair with it!

    IF YOU WANT MORE CLASSIC ITALIAN RECIPES, YOU WILL LOVE THESE FROM LOMBARDIA REGION!

    • Latest feature image for risotto alla milanese showing it on a plate, highlighting the creaminess of the rice.
      Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto)
    • Ossobuco
      Ossobuco

    Ingredients

    Updated image showing all the ingredients you need to prepare minestrone alla milanese at home,
    • Olive oil – use extra virgin olive oil, if possible. 
    • Vegetables – onion, garlic, zucchini, carrot, potatoes, green beans, celery, and savoy cabbage — all chopped in (almost) the same size.
    • Tomatoes – you can use whatever is in season; as long as they’re juicy, they’re great for this summer minestrone recipe.
    • Stock – I generally use chicken stock because I always have it on hand.
    • Herbs – as you can see from the image above, I used basil, sage, and parsley — all fresh herbs
    • Rice – I typically use arborio rice when making minestrone alla Milanese.
    • Parmigiano Reggiano – grated for serving.
    • Seasoning – salt, and ground black pepper.
    An overhead shot of a bowl of summer minestrone, with freshly grated cheese.

    Preparation

    Start making summer minestrone by placing a medium or a large saucepan over medium-high heat.

    Add oil, and once it’s ready, add garlic, onion, and parsley.

    Sauteing garlic, onion and parsley as the base for summer minestrone.

    Saute until the onion softens.

    Add zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, celery, green beans, and potatoes. 

    Season with salt and pepper, then mix.

    Added the diced vegetables for making summer minestrone.

    Pour the stock and mix.

    Pouring stock for summer minestrone.

    Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.

    Lower the heat and simmer for about twenty-five minutes.

    Add rice, a handful of sage and basil leaves, and finely chopped savoy cabbage.

    The rest of the vegetables added to summer minestrone for simmering.

    Mix and place the lid back. 

    Simmer for about eighteen minutes or until the rice is cooked.  

    Take the saucepan off the heat and transfer your summer minestrone into serving bowls.

    Add some grated Parmigiano Reggiano and serve.

    A closer shot of a pan of minestrone alla milanesee, with a ladle ready for serving.

    Helpful tips

    • Chop the vegetables into identical sizes.  

    It makes it easier to cook them simultaneously, as well as easier to spoon them when eating.

    • You can also add cooked beans instead of rice for this summer minestrone recipe.

    However, you might need to adjust the amount of stock just enough for the beans.

    • Other than adding Parmigiano Reggiano, you can drizzle some extra virgin olive oil when serving for an extra punch of flavor. 
    A closer shot of a serving of summer minestrone, with grated Parmigiano on top.

    Recipe variation

    • Dried herbs.  Yes, you can use dried herbs as an alternative to fresh ones, but the difference in the flavor of the resulting Milanese minestrone is quite noticeable.
    • Other types of stock.  Vegetable or beef stock will work excellently as well.

    What is the best type of rice to use for summer minestrone?

    If you want to do it like the locals, you should use the same rice for making risotto — arborio or carnaroli.

    However, long-grained ones like basmati should be fine.

    So how about it?  Give this summer minestrone recipe a try tonight!

    OR YOU CAN GET MORE IDEAS FROM THIS LIST OF SOUPS FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

    IF YOU WANT MORE EUROPEAN RECIPES, YOU WILL LOVE THESE RECIPES BY COUNTRY!

    • Feature image for Portuguese Recipes, as part of recipes by country.
      Easy Portuguese Recipes
    • Feature image for German Recipes post.
      Authentic German Recipes

    📖 Recipe

    Feature image for summer minestrone, showing the soup in a pan.

    Summer Minestrone Recipe (Minestrone alla Milanese)

    Here's a hearty and healthy soup for you!  Summer Minestrone (or Minestrone alla Milanese) is loaded with good vegetables and a bit of rice to provide the 'comfort' we all want from every bowl.  Enjoy it as an appetizer or a meal on its own!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 226kcal
    Author: Neriz

    Equipment

    • Pyrex Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Chopping Board
    • Kitchen Knife
    • Rubber Spatula
    • Medium to Large Pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
    • 1 medium onion, chopped finely
    • 1 small zucchini, diced
    • 1 medium carrot, diced
    • 1 medium tomato
    • 15 pcs green beans, chopped
    • 2 small potatoes, diced
    • 1 stalk celery, diced
    • 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped roughly
    • 4 & 1/2 cups stock
    • 1/2 cup rice
    • 1 small savoy cabbage
    • 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
    • handful mix of sage and basil, chopped roughly
    • salt and pepper, to season

    Instructions

    • Place a medium or large saucepan over medium-high heat.
    • Add oil, and once it's ready, add garlic, onion, and parsley.
    • Saute until the onion softens.
    • Add zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, celery, green beans, and potatoes.
    • Mix, then season with salt and pepper.
    • Pour the stock and mix.
    • Cover with a lid, boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 25 minutes.
    • Add rice, a handful of sage and basil leaves, and finely chopped savoy cabbage.
    • Mix, cover, and then simmer for about 18 minutes until the rice is cooked.  
    • Take the pan off the heat and transfer it into serving bowls.
    • Add some grated Parmigiano Reggiano on your summer minestrone — and serve!

    Notes

    • Cook’s Tip #1:  Chopping the vegetables in identical sizes makes it easier to cook them at the same time, as well as easier to spoon them when eating.
    • Cook’s Tip #2:  Cooked beans can also be added instead of rice, but remember to adjust the amount of stock just enough for the beans.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 881mg | Potassium: 635mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3323IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @foodandjourneys or tag #foodandjourneys!

    More International Soup Recipes

    • A bowl of Filipino mung bean soup, garnished with chicharon.
      Ginisang Munggo (Filipino Mung Bean Soup)
    • A bowl of traditional English Celery Soup, garnished with fresh celery leaves.
      English Celery Soup
    • Lebanese Chicken and Rice Soup, garnished with parsley, ready for serving.
      Lebanese Chicken Soup (with Rice)
    • A bowl of German oxtail soup, garnished with parsley.
      German Oxtail Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nick Morello

      February 18, 2024 at 5:22 pm

      5 stars
      Love this version. I like a longer slower cook to bring the flavors together, like country cooking. I made a pot for 12 people. Cooking time was over an hour.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Latest Pic, 2025 for food and journeys sidebar.

    Hej there!

    A smorgasbord of traditional and delicious international recipes awaits you, so feel free to look around and pick your favorites. No need to leave your kitchen to experience the real deal!

    More about me →

    Image for listing as-featured-on

    Feature of the Month: Filipino Cuisine

    Feature image for Filipino Recipes post, a serving of pancit bihon with a slice of lemon.

    Spring Favorites

    • Freshly-baked German leek pie, highlighting its golden color.
      German Leek Pie
    • Feature image for Roasted Fennel showing the dish straight out of the oven.
      Roasted Fennel (Creamy & Cheesy!)
    • Feature image for asparagus risotto, showing a serving of it, topped with grated parmigiano.
      Asparagus Risotto (Risotto agli Asparagi)
    • Feature image for German Leek Soup, highlighting the creaminess of the soup-
      German Leek Soup

    Popular Posts

    • Two servings of German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe). Both creamy potato soup servings are garnished with spring onions.
      German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
    • A closer shot of kanelbullar on a cooling rack, highlighting the filling of the buns.
      Swedish Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)
    • An overhead shot of a skillet of Spanish Garlic Chicken, straight out of the oven.
      Spanish Garlic Chicken (Pollo Al Ajillo)
    • Arroz de Tomate in a pan, ready for transferring to serving plates, with fresh cherry tomatoes next to it.
      Portuguese Tomato Rice (Arroz de Tomate)
    • Latest feature image for drommekage, highlighting the texture of the cake.
      Danish Dream Cake (Drømmekage)
    • Three freshly-baked pasticciotti sprinkled with powdered sugar and served wiith espresso.
      Pasticciotto (Italian Cream Filled Pastry)
    • An image showing two bowls of Finnish Salmon Soup served with some bread.
      Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)
    • An overhead shot of a bunch of freshly baked taralli, served with a shot of espresso, with scaterred fennel seeds on the background.
      Taralli (Italian Crackers)
    • Swedish Almond Tart
      Swedish Almond Tart
    • Latest feature image (Apr23) for Filipino picadillo showing the dish on a plate.
      Filipino Picadillo
    • Latest feature image for Salt and Pepper pork belly, showing the slices garnished with more chili.
      Salt and Pepper Pork Belly
    • A slice of cardamom sponge cake, served with a cup of coffee.
      Swedish Cardamom Cake

    Favorite Snacks

    • Fried panzerotti served with a glass of wine, for snack.
      Panzerotti (Panzarotti)
    • A collage of flammkuchen toppings to choose from.
      Classic Flammkuchen (+ More Flammkuchen Toppings!)
    • Freshly cooked panelle from Palermo, served with a dustingg of ground black pepper.
      Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)
    • Chocolate balls served with coffee, for afternoon snack.
      Swedish Chocolate Balls (Chokladbollar)

    Sweet Treats

    • Traditional Swedish Cakes that you can easily make at home.
      Traditional Swedish Cakes: Make Them at Home!
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for fika post, showing some Swedish treats, and coffee and tea in the background.
      What is Fika? (Fika Meaning + Recipes)
    • Latest (Oct22) feature image for Easy Italian Desserts and Pastries post.
      Easy Italian Desserts & Pastries Recipes
    • Latest (Oct22) Feature image for Traditional German Desserts and Pastries.
      Traditional German Desserts and Pastries

    Popular Cuisines

    • Latest feature image for authentic Swedish recipes, showing västerbottenostpaj, a midsummer favorite.
      Authentic Swedish Recipes
    • Feature image for Italian recipes by region post.
      Italian Recipes by Region
    • Feature image for German Recipes post.
      Authentic German Recipes
    • Feature image for Portuguese Recipes, as part of recipes by country.
      Easy Portuguese Recipes
    • Feature image for Traditional Spanish Recipes, a pan of espinacas con garbanzos.
      Traditional Spanish Recipes
    • Feature image for Finnish Recipes post.
      Easy Finnish Recipes
    • Feature image for Greek Recipes post.
      Traditional Greek Recipes
    • Feature image for Lebanese Recipes post.
      Lebanese Recipes

    Footer

    Policy

    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • About Me

    Copyright

    • Notes on Copyright

    A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

    Copyright © 2025. FOOD AND JOURNEYS®

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.