Nurse's Restorative Vegetable Soup

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A soothing, nutrient-packed soup with layered vegetables and herbs, designed for easy preparation and balanced comfort like a nurse's restorative care. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs Olive oil, large Carrot, stalks 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 tsp dried thyme.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and add 2 peeled and diced medium potatoes. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup trimmed and cut green beans and 2 cups chopped kale, continuing to simmer for 5 minutes until greens wilt and are tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Nurse's Restorative 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 Nurse's Restorative 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Nurse's Restorative 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 Nurse's Restorative Vegetable 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 Nurse's Restorative 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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