Hearty Budget Soup
A comforting, nutrient-packed soup made with affordable canned beans and seasonal veggies. This global-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs diced onion, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, 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, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2, peeled and cubed potatoes
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained kidney beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp, dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened. Add 2 cubed potatoes, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans, and 4 cups vegetable broth; stir to combine.
- Step 2: Add 1 bay leaf and 1 tsp thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Remove the bay leaf and serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Budget Soup take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Hearty Budget 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 diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Budget 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 Hearty Budget Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Hearty Budget Soup vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to vegetarian dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
