Instant Pot Minestrone

Step 1

Prep the vegetables: Peel and small dice the onion and carrots. Small dice the celery and zucchini.

Step 2

and add the olive oil to the Instant Pot. When it is heated, add the onion, carrots, celery and tomato paste, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the onions are just translucent.

Step 3

Add the vegetable broth, tomatoes and juices, water, zucchini, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Lock the lid of the Instant Pot. Place the pressure release handle (vent) in the “Sealing” position.

Step 4

Press the Pressure Cook button, making sure the “High Pressure” setting is selected, and set the time. Note that it takes about 15 minutes for the pot to “preheat” and come up to pressure before it starts cooking. (During cooking, avoid touching the metal part of the lid.)

Step 5

Vent the remaining steam from the Instant Pot by moving the pressure release handle to “Venting”, covering your hand with a towel or hot pad. Never put your hands or face near the vent when releasing steam. Open the pressure cooker lid. Remove the bay leaf. Add the white beans, pasta, and grated garlic (you can grate it right into the pot).

Step 6

and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the baby greens for a few seconds until wilted. (If you’re using tougher greens like mature kale, chop them and add them in the last 5 minutes of the cook time.)

Step 7

Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Taste and add fresh ground black pepper and more kosher salt to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley (or optionally add Parmesan cheese shavings or basil pesto or vegan pesto).