Hearty Vegetable and Bean Soup (Printer-friendly)
Comforting soup packed with vegetables and beans, ready in one hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 zucchini, diced
09 - 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
→ Beans and Broth
10 - 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
12 - 6 cups vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
13 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
→ Spices and Seasonings
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
17 - 1 bay leaf
18 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Optional Additions
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
20 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice for brightness
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add potatoes, bell pepper, and garlic to the pot. Cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
03 - Stir in zucchini, drained beans, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
05 - Add kale or spinach and simmer for another 5 minutes until greens are wilted and incorporated.
06 - Remove bay leaf and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while steaming hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It transforms whatever vegetables are languishing in your crisper drawer into something that tastes like it simmered all day even though it takes under an hour
- The texture is somewhere between a soup and a stew, substantial enough to be a full meal but still broth-forward enough to feel light
- It actually tastes better the next day, which means lunch is already solved and you did zero extra work
02 -
- I once forgot to remove the bay leaf before serving and my very polite guest spent ten minutes fishing it out of her bowl while pretending nothing was wrong
- The soup thickens considerably in the refrigerator, so add a splash of water or broth when reheating leftovers
- Smoked paprika is not the same as regular paprika and using the wrong one changes the entire character of the dish
03 -
- Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering creates an incredibly savory, umami rich base even if you do not eat cheese
- Finish each bowl with a drizzle of really good olive oil just before serving