I call minestrone my "default" soup. Not only is it easy to make, one could actually dump in it whatever vegetables, beans and meat you have available. Minestrone always happen whenever I have to clean the fridge. You know what it's like, there's like half of everything: cucumber, zucchini, carrots, sausage, everything! I live and cook for myself most of the time, so I tend to "save" ingredients. I hate throwing out half of, say, a carrot; those "halves" are all kept in the fridge.
vegetables: zucchini, potatoes, cucumber, carrots, bell pepper, squash/pumpkin, beans or peas, tomato
herbs: basil, oregano, parsley
broth: tomato sauce, chicken/beef broth
meat (whatever is available): bacon, salted ham, chorizo, corned beef, etc.
Dice the veggies and meats. Be sure they are approximately the same size.
Saute garlic, onion and tomato in olive oil. Add the bell pepper, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, cooked beans or peas. Saute a little, then add the broth. Bring to a boil, then add the pasta, basil and oregano. Cook until pasta is done.
Season with salt and pepper. One last boil and serve. Drizzle olive oil before serving. You may also garnish with parsley and bacon/sausage bits. Serve with garlic bread of course. =)