One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew
A comforting, nutrient-packed stew simmered with seasonal vegetables and beans, ready in under an hour with minimal cleanup. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 60 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can, drained kidney beans
- 1 (15 oz) can, drained cannellini beans
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups, chopped kale
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can drained kidney beans, 1 can drained cannellini beans, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, and 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Step 3: Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and cook for 10 minutes until kale is tender and flavors meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew?
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 One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew?
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 One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Hearty Vegetable and Bean Stew?
American one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect one pot recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
