Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup
A light, refreshing soup featuring delicate rice noodles and fresh vegetables in a clear broth, ideal for a quick, healthy dinner. This general-inspired soups ready in about 20 minutes pairs tablespoon sesame oil, small thinly sliced carrot, florets broccoli for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 200 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 small thinly sliced carrot
- 1/2 cup florets broccoli
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 ounces rice noodles
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon juice lime
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add sliced carrot and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 2: Add broccoli florets and mushrooms, stirring for 3 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Add 2 ounces rice noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until noodles are tender but still firm.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Season with salt to taste before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep tablespoon sesame oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Clear Vegetable and Noodle Soup?
General soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A lovely light soup that's great for a healthy meal. Will make again!
- ★★★★★
Easy to make and delicious. My family loved it for dinner tonight.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The noodles were just right and the vegetables were fresh.
