True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons

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

A hearty, nutrient-packed soup featuring seasonal vegetables in a savory herb-infused broth, topped with crispy homemade croutons for a comforting meal. This american-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium, diced 1/4-inch carrots, diced 1/4-inch celery stalks, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced carrots, celery, and yellow onion, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. Stir in 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (with juice). Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup ditalini pasta and cook for 8 minutes until pasta is al dente. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: For croutons, toss 4 slices cubed whole wheat bread with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Bake on a sheet pan at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp.
  6. Step 6: Serve soup hot with a sprinkle of homemade croutons and extra thyme.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons?

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 1/4-inch celery stalks from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons?

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 True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons 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.

What goes well with True Garden Vegetable Soup with Herbed Croutons?

American soups 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.

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