Healthy Vegetable and Bean Soup

This soup tastes like it’s been cooking for hours, but it’s actually ready in less than an hour! It’s the best soup when you have a bunch of random vegetables in the fridge and can’t figure out how to make them into a meal. The trick to making it creamy is blending some of the beans with milk- if you’ve never done this before it’s a healthy way to thicken soups and add some creaminess without actual cream. While the soup is great on it’s own, you can also add in some leftover rotisserie or shredded chicken to boost the protein.

Healthy Vegetable and Bean Soup

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 1 carrot, diced

• 4 cups chopped vegetables: I used zucchini, carrots, and bell peppers

• 12 ounce bag frozen corn, thawed

• 2 15 ounce cans white beans (cannellini), drained and rinsed

• 2 cups milk of choice (I used 2%)

• 32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons dried parsley or dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Optional: shredded chicken can be added

Instructions:

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the chopped vegetables, corn, spices, and one of the can of beans. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the broth and simmer over low heat for 20-30 minutes. The vegetables should be cooked through.

2. While the soup is cooking, blend the other can of rinsed beans with the milk.

3. When the soup is done simmering, add the milk mixture to the pot and stir. If adding already cooked shredded chicken, add it now. Cook for another 5 minutes, or until it’s warmed through.

4. Enjoy warm with some crackers or a nice slice of toasted bread!

Notes:

• Vegan: to make vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken and use vegetable broth in place of the milk.

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