Hearty Vegetable and Bean Soup (Printable version)
Nutrient-packed comfort food with vegetables and beans in a savory broth.
# 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
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, both types of beans, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Mix well to incorporate.
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 together.
05 - Add kale or spinach to the pot and simmer for another 5 minutes until greens are wilted and tender.
06 - Remove and discard bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice if desired. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This soup comes together with whatever vegetables you have lurking in your crisper drawer making it perfect for those days between grocery runs
- The combination of two different bean varieties creates such a satisfying creaminess without any dairy
02 -
- I once forgot to rinse the canned beans and ended up with a soup so salty it was nearly inedible
- The smoked paprika is what transforms this from a standard vegetable soup into something that feels like it simmered for hours
03 -
- Adding a Parmesan rind during simmering adds incredible depth if you are not strictly vegan
- A pinch of red pepper flakes with the dried herbs gives this a gentle warmth that builds slowly