Minestrone Soup in Jar (Printable Version)

Colorful layered vegetable and pasta soup in jars. Prepare ahead, store for days, and enjoy hot whenever you're ready.

# What You Need:

→ 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 (optional)
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, omit for vegan)

# Steps:

01 - Layer the ingredients in each clean, quart-size mason jar in the following order (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.
03 - When ready to eat, remove the jar from the refrigerator. Add 2 cups boiling water to cover the ingredients. Stir well or screw the lid back on and shake gently to mix.
04 - Let sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the vegetables are tender. Alternatively, microwave the open jar (without the metal lid) for 3-4 minutes, stirring halfway.
05 - Stir again, season to taste, and top with grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The vibrant layers of ingredients create an instant wow factor when lined up in your fridge, like little jars of culinary sunshine waiting to brighten even the most chaotic day.
  • After forgetting my lunch at home one too many times, these grab-and-go jars became my personal insurance policy against sad desk lunches and expensive takeout.
02 -
  • Adding ingredients in the wrong order can result in undercooked pasta or crunchy vegetables – I learned this the hard way when I randomly tossed everything together and ended up with a jar of conflicting textures.
  • The soup continues to thicken as it sits, so if you prefer a brothier consistency, either add extra water initially or keep some hot water nearby for adjustments.
03 -
  • Pre-toast the pasta in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding it to your jars – this simple step prevents it from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy when you add hot water.
  • Keep the heaviest ingredients at the bottom and the herbs and seasonings at the top – this creates not only a beautiful visual effect but ensures everything distributes properly when you add hot water.
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