Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Busy Day Soup, perfect for quick family meals. Packed with wholesome ingredients and simple preparation, you’ll savor a warm, satisfying dish that brings instant comfort to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Protein and Canned Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic, allowing them to become translucent and fragrant for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate diced carrots, celery, and zucchini, gently sautéing for 5 minutes to develop depth of flavor.
- Pour in tomatoes, beans, corn, vegetable broth, and season with basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
- Elevate heat to create a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low.
- Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and vegetables to become tender.
- Extract bay leaf and conduct a final taste test, adjusting seasonings as your palate desires.
- Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately for maximum enjoyment and optimal temperature.
Notes
- Boost vegetable nutrition by using fresh, seasonal produce for maximum flavor and health benefits.
- Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting broth quantity or partially blending some vegetables for a creamier texture.
- Make it protein-packed by adding cooked chicken, quinoa, or lentils for a more substantial meal option.
- Create a low-sodium version by using homemade vegetable broth and reducing added salt, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 117 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 510 mg
- Fat: 3.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg