-I prefer adding my pasta directly in the pot along with the vegetables. This is ideal if you are serving your minestrone immediately. -However, if you plan to freeze your minestrone or serve it the following day, cook the pasta separately and stir into the minestrone before serving. This is to prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy. -If you cook your pasta separately, reduce the amount of water or broth added to the soup to 5 cups.