Melting Pot Vegetable Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, globally-inspired soup celebrating America's growing ethnic diversity, featuring seasonal vegetables in a creamy tomato broth. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium carrots, stalks celery, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 185 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice 2 medium carrots, 2 stalks celery, and 1 medium onion into 1/4-inch pieces. Mince 3 cloves garlic. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add vegetables and cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon, then add 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes (with juice) and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups chopped kale and simmer for 3 more minutes until kale is tender. Remove from heat, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, and let sit for 2 minutes until the soup thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Melting Pot Vegetable Soup take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Melting Pot Vegetable 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 medium carrots from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Melting Pot Vegetable 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 Melting Pot Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Melting Pot Vegetable 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.

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