Hearty Budget Soup
A comforting, nutrient-packed soup made with affordable canned beans and seasonal veggies. This global-inspired 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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
