Hearty Garden Vegetable Soup

Hearty Garden Vegetable Soup

Loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and rich slow-simmered flavor, this comforting vegetable soup is the kind of meal that tastes even better the next day. 

Ingredients

Vegetable Soup

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 cup green beans, cut into pieces
  • 1 cup cabbage, chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 8 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Additions

  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 can white beans or kidney beans
  • Fresh spinach or kale
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Build the Flavor Base

Heat the olive oil in a Simmer Down Cookware Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until softened, about 5–7 minutes.

Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the Vegetables

Add the potatoes, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, and diced tomatoes.

Pour in the broth and stir in the Italian seasoning, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Simmer the Soup

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.

Cover partially with the Dutch oven lid and simmer for 35–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the broth is rich and flavorful.

Finish the Soup

If using optional additions such as corn, peas, beans, spinach, or kale, stir them in during the final 10 minutes of cooking.

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Serve

Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Serve with warm bread or crackers.

Enjoy!