Looking for a warm, hearty, and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare? This pistou soup is exactly what you need! With its delicious mix of fresh veggies, beans, and the signature pistou sauce, this soup is both nourishing and satisfying. Whether you’re new to French cuisine or a long-time fan, this recipe brings classic comfort food right to your kitchen.
Pistou is a vibrant, plant-based version of the famous Italian pesto, made with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil. This version uses simple, wholesome ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, and white beans to create a delicious, veggie-packed base. Add in the homemade pistou sauce, and you’ll have a bowl of pure goodness that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any season.
Ready to dive into this tasty French classic? Let’s get started!
Why You Must Make This Pistou Soup
This vegan French soup is a flavorful and nourishing recipe that brings together fresh vegetables, hearty beans, and a zesty pistou sauce. The vibrant basil, garlic, and olive oil in the pistou elevate the whole dish, making every bite bursting with goodness! Here are more reasons to try it:
- Packed with Fresh Veggies. Vegan pistou soup is full of colorful vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, and carrots. These veggies not only add a burst of flavor, but they also provide plenty of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It’s a perfect way to get your daily dose of plant-based nutrition in one bowl!
- Flavorful Pistou Sauce. The pistou sauce is the star of this soup! Made with fresh basil, garlic, and olive oil, it adds a fragrant, herby punch that ties the whole dish together. It’s a simple, yet incredibly flavorful addition that’s sure to impress.
- Hearty and Filling. The addition of white beans (like in this creamy white bean hummus) makes this soup satisfying and hearty. They provide protein and fiber, helping you feel full and energized. It’s a meal that keeps you going, whether it’s lunch or dinner!
- Quick and Easy to Make. This soup doesn’t take hours to prepare! With easy-to-find ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, you can enjoy a homemade, flavorful meal in no time. It’s perfect for busy days when you need something delicious without the hassle.
- Comforting and Nourishing. There’s something so comforting about a warm, veggie-filled soup, especially when it’s as nutritious as this one. The fresh ingredients, combined with the pistou’s vibrant flavors, make it a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any time of year.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
The key ingredients in this bright and herby soup include fresh vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, and carrots, along with white beans for heartiness. The pistou sauce, made with basil, garlic, and olive oil, adds a fragrant and flavorful kick. If you’re missing an ingredient, you can easily swap in other veggies or beans, and adjust the seasonings to fit your taste!
- Fresh Vegetables (zucchini, carrot, tomato, onion): Fresh vegetables form the base of pistou soup. Chop the veggies into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. You can swap zucchini with other summer squash, carrots with parsnips, or tomatoes with canned crushed tomatoes if fresh ones aren’t available. Shallots would work well instead of red onion.
- Small Pasta: Little pasta shapes like ditalini or orzo are perfect for this soup because they absorb the broth while maintaining their texture. If you prefer gluten-free options, try using rice or gluten-free pasta instead.
- Red Wine: Adds depth and complexity to the broth, giving it a rich, savory flavor. If you prefer not to use vegan wine, vegetable broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar can provide a similar tangy depth. Be sure to cook off the alcohol by letting it simmer for a few minutes.
- Fresh Greens (Baby Spinach and Basil): The must-have ingredients that give the pistou sauce its bright color and flavor. You can substitute spinach with kale or arugula, and basil with fresh oregano or parsley for different herbal flavors.
- Garlic Cloves: Brings a punch of savory flavor to the pistou sauce and soup in general. Mince or crush the garlic to release its flavor, and sauté it briefly to avoid bitterness. If you’re out of fresh garlic, you can substitute it with garlic powder—just use about half the amount.
- Walnuts: They help create a nutty flavor and smooth, creamy consistency when blended with the herbs. If you’re out of walnuts, pine nuts are a classic choice, but you can also use almonds, cashews, or even sunflower seeds for a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.
How to Make French Pistou Soup
Making pistou soup is simple and fun! Start by sautéing your favorite veggies, then add pasta, beans, and vegetable broth for a hearty base. Finish it off with a fragrant pistou sauce made of fresh basil, garlic, walnuts, and olive oil, and let the flavors come together for a delicious, comforting meal!
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables – Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking for 3–5 minutes until softened. Then, stir in zucchini, carrot, tomato, beans, sea salt, and pepper, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add broth, pasta, wine, and bay leaves, stirring to combine. Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, until the pasta and vegetables are tender.
Step 2: Make the Pistou and Serve – In a food processor or blender, combine garlic, spinach, basil, walnuts, oil, lemon juice, miso, sea salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, about 15–30 seconds. Discard the bay leaves from the soup, then ladle the soup into bowls and top with a generous dollop of pistou and vegan Parmesan, if desired.
So quick and easy!
Serving Tips and Suggestions
Keep this French pistou soup simple with a side of bread or pair it with some roasted veggies. However you decide to serve it, you can’t go wrong! Here are some of our favorite ways:
- Serve with Crusty Bread – Nothing beats dipping a warm, crusty piece of bread into a bowl of pistou soup! A fresh baguette or your favorite crusty loaf (like this spelt bread) will soak up the flavorful broth, making every bite even more satisfying.
- Add Parmesan – Top your soup with a sprinkle of vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy, savory twist. It adds a rich flavor that enhances the vibrant pistou sauce and veggies!
- Pair with a Simple Side Salad – A light, crisp side salad is the perfect balance to this hearty soup. Try a mixed green salad with a green goddess vinaigrette to keep the meal fresh and bright.
- Make It a Full Meal with Roasted Veggies – For a more filling meal, serve your pistou soup with roasted vegetables. Carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers work wonderfully and add a tasty, tender texture.
- Serve with a Vegan Grilled Cheese – For a cozy, comforting meal, serve your pistou soup alongside a vegan grilled cheese sandwich. The crispy, melty sandwich pairs perfectly with the warm, flavorful soup for a classic combination!
FAQs
Keep the pistou sauce separate in a separate container from the soup itself. Store both covered in the fridge and reheat separately on the stovetop until desired temperature. Add sauce on top of the soup when ready.
Yes! Simply substitute the wheat pasta for a gluten-free option, such as rice, bean, or lentil pasta instead. Or, if you’re not a soup-with-pasta fan, you could add in rice pilaf (like in this stuffed acorn squash recipe) instead.
Pesto and pistou are both flavorful sauces, but they’re a bit different. Pesto, from Italy, is made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Pistou, from France, skips the nuts and cheese, focusing on basil, garlic, and olive oil for a simpler, dairy-free twist. Both are delicious in soups, pastas, or as a topping!
More Delicious Soups to Try
Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the “Print Recipe” button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchen—or better yet—create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!
French Pistou Soup
Ingredients
For The Soup
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 small zucchini diced
- 1 small carrot finely chopped
- 1 large tomato seeded and diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can navy beans rinsed and drained
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 5 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup small pasta such as tubetti
- 2 tablespoons red wine
- 2 bay leaves
For The Pistou
- 1 clove garlic coarsely chopped
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach or arugula
- ½ cup packed fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup toasted walnut pieces
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons light miso paste
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add zucchini, carrot, tomato, beans, sea salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add broth, pasta, wine, and bay leaves. Stir to incorporate and cover. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until pasta and vegetables are soft.
- Add garlic, spinach, basil, walnuts, oil, lemon juice, miso, sea salt, and pepper to a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend for 15 to 30 seconds, or until smooth.
- Discard bay leaves before serving. Ladle warm soup into bowls and top with a generous dollop of pistou, and Parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- Wine Suggestion: Marsala wine from Sicily is great for cooking because it won’t break the bank. However, if you have an open bottle of red wine, just pop in 2 tablespoons in place of the Marsala and your soup will be equally as delicious.
- Storing Leftover Soup: Keep the pistou sauce in a separate container than the soup itself. Store both covered in the fridge and reheat separately on the stovetop until the desired temperature. Add sauce on top of the soup when ready.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta for a gluten-free variety such as rice, lentil, or bean pasta. Also, wild rice would work, too!
Nutrition
This French Pistou Soup recipe was shared with permission by Heather Bell and Jenny Engel from Vegan 101.
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