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Cozy Olive Garden Inspired Vegetable Soup Recipe Easy Homemade Comfort Food

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A hearty yet light vegetable soup inspired by Olive Garden, featuring a rich blend of herbs, garlic, and simmered veggies. Perfect for cozy nights and quick comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels (fresh in season)
  • 14.5 oz (410 g) canned diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend (dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup small pasta (ditalini or elbow macaroni)

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into uniform ¼-inch pieces. Chop zucchini and cut green beans into 1-inch lengths. Mince garlic finely (about 10-15 minutes prep).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook and stir for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  5. Add zucchini, green beans, and corn. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until veggies start to soften but still hold shape.
  6. Pour in vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes with juices. Stir to combine.
  7. Add Italian seasoning, dried parsley, bay leaf, salt (start with ½ teaspoon), and black pepper (start with ¼ teaspoon). Stir and bring to a gentle boil.
  8. Lower heat to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and cook for 25-30 minutes until vegetables are tender but not mushy.
  9. If using pasta, add it during the last 10 minutes of simmering, watching to avoid overcooking.
  10. Stir in 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar just before serving to brighten the broth.
  11. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Notes

Do not rush sautéing the aromatic vegetables to develop sweetness. Add balsamic vinegar at the end to brighten flavor. Avoid overcooking zucchini and green beans to keep some bite. Use the same brand of broth for consistent flavor. For a heartier meal, add cooked shredded chicken or beans. Pasta is optional and best added near the end of cooking. Soup tastes better after resting overnight. Can be frozen up to 3 months; add pasta fresh when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegetable soup, Olive Garden soup, easy soup recipe, comfort food, Italian herbs, healthy soup, homemade soup

Find it online: https://larameals.com/cozy-olive-garden-inspired-vegetable-soup-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-food/