Italian Vegetable Soup 🍲
Description:
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of Italy with this hearty and wholesome Italian Vegetable Soup recipe. Bursting with a medley of fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and a touch of Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a nourishing bowl of goodness. This recipe is brought to you by lovewithrecipes.com.
Cooking Times:
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Recipe Category: Stocks
Keywords: Cheese, Onions, Beans, Vegetable, European, Weeknight, Stove Top, Less than 4 Hours
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 10 cups | Water |
| 2 tsp | Salt |
| 1 | Onion, chopped |
| 2 | Celery ribs, chopped |
| 1 | Bay leaf |
| 1 | Carrot, sliced |
| 15 oz | Red kidney beans, drained and rinsed |
| 1/2 lb | Fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces |
| 1 | Celery rib, sliced |
| 1/2 cup | Tiny peas |
| 1 | Zucchini, diced |
| 1/2 cup | Carrot, diced |
| 1 | Onion, finely chopped |
| 1 | Potato, diced |
| 1/4 cup | Fresh parsley, chopped |
| 1/4 cup | Fresh basil, chopped |
| 3 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 1 can (28 oz) | Plum tomatoes, crushed with their juices |
| 1 tbsp | Worcestershire sauce |
| 1 tsp | Chicken soup base |
| 1 tsp | Italian seasoning |
| To taste | Salt and black pepper |
| Parmesan cheese, grated for serving |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Broth:
- In a large cooking pot, combine 10 cups of water, 2 teaspoons of salt, chopped onion, celery ribs, celery leaves, bay leaf, and sliced carrot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.
- Once done, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids. Return the clear broth to the cooking pot.
-
Prep the Vegetables:
- While the broth is simmering, prepare all the vegetables as directed in the ingredients list.
-
Adjust Broth Volume:
- The vegetable broth should measure approximately 8 cups after straining. If needed, add additional water to reach this volume. Bring the broth back to a boil.
-
Combine Ingredients:
- To the hot broth, add the drained and rinsed red kidney beans, trimmed green beans, sliced celery rib, tiny peas, diced zucchini, diced carrot, finely chopped onion, diced potato, chopped parsley, minced garlic, and crushed plum tomatoes (including their juices).
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, chicken soup base, Italian seasoning, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
-
Simmer the Soup:
- Return the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded beautifully.
-
Adjust Seasonings:
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want to add a bit more salt or pepper to suit your preferences.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Ladle the piping hot Italian Vegetable Soup into bowls.
- Sprinkle each serving generously with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
- Serve the soup alongside crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
-
Storage Tips:
- Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This soup also freezes well! Simply transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some room for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.
With its vibrant colors, robust flavors, and wholesome ingredients, this Italian Vegetable Soup is sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether enjoyed as a comforting weeknight dinner or shared with loved ones on a cozy weekend gathering, this recipe is a delightful celebration of Italian cuisine’s simplicity and warmth. So, gather your ingredients, simmer up a pot of this nourishing soup, and let its aromatic goodness fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas! Buon appetito! 🇮🇹🥣
