Imagine a soup that’s just as perfect for rainy evenings as it is for hearty lunchboxes—the Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup has your back every time. Brimming with an abundance of tender vegetables, every spoonful delivers pure comfort, savory flavors, and a big serving of health. The best part? It’s so easy to customize with whatever veggies you have on hand, and it tastes even better the next day. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, you’ll fall in love with how wonderfully simple and satisfying this soup is.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup lies in its humble, wholesome ingredients—each one adds something special, whether it’s a dash of color, a touch of sweetness, or a layer of flavor to build that irresistible broth. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters:
Olive oil: Helps soften and caramelize the aromatics, adding depth to the soup’s flavor base.
Yellow onion: Brings subtle sweetness and flavor complexity as it sautés.
Carrots: Provide color and natural sweetness, plus a pleasant bite.
Celery: Adds a classic savory note and aromatic crunch.
Canned diced tomatoes (with juice): Gives body, tang, and beautiful color to the broth.
Low-sodium vegetable broth: The foundation for the soup’s savory character—control the salt and savor the flavors.
Potatoes: Make the soup wonderfully filling and utterly comforting with their hearty texture.
Green beans: Brighten up each bowl with vibrant color and a satisfying snap.
Bay leaves: Layers in an aromatic, herbal undertone that gently perfumes the soup.
Salt: Pulls out the flavors of every single vegetable. Add to taste!
Ground black pepper: Provides subtle warmth and a finishing kick.
Frozen sweet corn: Adds bursts of sweetness and golden pops of color.
Frozen sweet peas: Lending a fresh, sweet flavor while keeping things green and bright.
Green onions: A final punch of mild onion flavor and fresh crunch.
Fresh parsley: Brightens up everything for a fresh, herbal finish.
How to Make
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add your chopped onions and carrots, giving them a good stir so they’re evenly coated. Let them sizzle and soften for about 6 to 8 minutes until they’re golden and fragrant—this step releases amazing natural sweetness and sets up a flavorful base for your Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Step 2: Add Vegetables & Broth
Now toss in the celery, canned diced tomatoes (juice included!), vegetable broth, potatoes, green beans, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together. You’ll immediately notice a medley of beautiful colors floating in the pot—each one brings its own essence to this vibrant soup.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling nicely, lower the heat and let it simmer away, uncovered, for about 25 minutes. You’re looking for the vegetables to become tender, releasing their flavors and melding that broth into something magical. This is when your kitchen will smell utterly irresistible!
Step 4: Add Frozen Vegetables & Herbs
Stir in the frozen corn, sweet peas, green onions, and fresh parsley. These ingredients cook up quickly and keep their bright color and snap. Let everything simmer for another 5 to 8 minutes—just enough to heat through and let those fresh flavors shine in your Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup.
Step 5: Taste & Adjust Seasoning
This is the perfect moment to grab a spoon and taste! Add a little more salt or pepper if you’d like—it’s your masterpiece. Adjust until the flavors sing for your taste buds.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Ladle generous servings of soup into bowls. Invite everyone to gather around and soak up the goodness. Crusty bread is always a winner on the side, but honestly, this soup stands strong all on its own.
How to Serve
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley, a grating of Parmesan cheese, or even a dollop of sour cream can turn your Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup from simple to absolutely memorable. For a little texture, try some homemade croutons or cracked black pepper right on top.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs perfectly with a warm, crusty baguette or a slice of multigrain bread. If you’re looking for something extra, a cheesy grilled sandwich or a light green salad balances out the meal beautifully—making lunchtime or dinner feel complete.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour your soup into mugs for easy sipping at casual gatherings, or serve it in hollowed-out bread bowls for a show-stopping presentation. For a fun, family-style approach, bring the big pot straight to the table and let everyone serve themselves for that cozy, communal feel.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup stores brilliantly in the fridge. Simply allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. The flavors continue to develop overnight, so leftovers are always a treat for up to 5 days after cooking.
Freezing
This soup is a meal-prepping champion and freezes beautifully. Let your soup cool completely before ladling it into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags (leave a little space for expansion). It keeps well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Gently warm your soup on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming hot, or microwave individual bowls for quick lunches. Give it a good stir so the veggies heat through evenly. Add a splash of broth or water if the consistency seems a bit thick after storing.
FAQs
Can I add extra vegetables to this soup?
Absolutely! Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup is incredibly flexible—try spinach, kale, zucchini, bell peppers, or even broccoli florets. Use up what you have, and let the seasons inspire your choices.
Is this soup suitable for vegans?
Yes, the base recipe is fully vegetarian and vegan-friendly, as long as your broth is 100 percent plant-based. Just skip any cheese garnishes if you’re keeping it vegan.
Can I add protein to make it more filling?
You sure can! Stir in some drained chickpeas, white beans, lentils, or even cooked quinoa for a hearty dose of plant-based protein. These additions blend beautifully with the flavors and make the Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup extra satisfying.
What if I only have chicken broth?
You can substitute chicken broth for the vegetable broth if it suits your dietary needs, but the flavor will shift a bit. It’ll still be delicious—just with a slightly more savory note.
How do I stop the potatoes from getting mushy?
Be sure to simmer the soup just until the potatoes are tender but not falling apart, and avoid over-stirring. Waxy potatoes also hold their shape best if you want perfect cubes every time.
Final Thoughts
If ever there was a reason to fall in love with homemade soup, this Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup is it. Packed with vibrant veggies and comfort in every bite, it’s a dish that will make you feel good from the inside out. Give it a try—you’ll come back to this one again and again!
This Easy & Hearty Vegetable Soup is a comforting and healthy meal loaded with tender vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes in a savory broth. It’s a customizable dish perfect for any occasion and great for meal prep.
Total Time:1 hour 20 minutes
Yield:10 cups
Ingredients
Aromatics:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
Vegetables:
2 large carrots, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
28 oz canned diced tomatoes (with juice)
60 oz low-sodium vegetable broth
3 medium potatoes, diced
1 cup green beans, chopped
3 bay leaves
Seasonings:
2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Frozen Additions:
1 cup frozen sweet corn
1 cup frozen sweet peas
½ cup green onions, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add onions and carrots and sauté for 6-8 minutes, until golden brown.
Add Vegetables & Broth: Add celery, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, diced potatoes, green beans, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Simmer the Soup: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Add Frozen Vegetables & Herbs: Stir in frozen corn, sweet peas, green onions, and parsley. Simmer for an additional 5-8 minutes.
Taste & Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve & Enjoy: Ladle soup into bowls and serve with crusty bread or as a standalone meal.
Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Customization: Add greens like spinach or kale, or swap in quinoa or lentils for added protein.
