Warm up your evenings with a bowl of our delicious and hearty vegetable soup—a perfect blend of nutrition and taste!
This easy dinner idea is packed with garden-fresh vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, and spinach, making it a staple for those who love healthy and satisfying meals.
With the rich flavors of sautéed bacon and onions, combined with a medley of diced potatoes and carrots, this soup promises a culinary delight in every spoonful.
Ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend meal, our recipe not only fills your kitchen with inviting aromas but also your stomach with wholesome goodness.
Topped with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley, this comfort food is your go-to solution for any chilly day.
Get ready to stir up some joy and savor the flavors of this comforting soup!
⦁ 3 beefsteak tomatoes - Blanch, peel, quarter, deseed, and chop.
⦁ 11 oz (350g) broad beans, frozen - Thaw.
⦁ 11 oz (350g) carrots - Peel, wash, and dice.
⦁ ½ celeriac bulb - Peel, wash, and dice.
⦁ 2 sticks celery - Trim, wash, and slice.
⦁ 2 ½ oz (75g) spinach - Wash and drain.
⦁ 30z (150g) streaky bacon
Dice and sauté.
⦁ 2 onions - Peel and finely chop, sauté with bacon.
⦁ 4 potatoes - Peel, wash, and finely dice, add to the sauté.
⦁ 1 ¾ pints (1 liter) water - Add and simmer.
Season.
⦁ 2 tbsp (30ml) oil - Used for sautéing.
⦁ 2 ½ oz (80g) grated parmesan - Serve sprinkled on top..
1. Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water, then cool in ice water, peel, quarter, remove seeds, and roughly chop.
2. Defrost the beans. Peel, rinse, and dice the carrots and celeriac.
3. Rinse and drain the spinach. Clean, wash, and slice the celery.
4. Cut the bacon into dice and fry in oil until it becomes translucent.
5. Peel and finely chop the onions, then fry them with the bacon until tender.
6. Peel, rinse, and finely dice the potatoes. Add them to the pan along with the carrots, celeriac, and celery, and fry for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Pour in 1 liter of water and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, courgettes, beans, spinach, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
8. Finely chop the parsley and mix it into the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the soup sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.
🛒 Choosing Ingredients
✔ Vegetables – Use a mix of seasonal veggies like carrots, celery, onion, zucchini, potatoes, green beans, and leafy greens (e.g., spinach or kale)
✔ Fresh Beefsteak Tomatoes – Juicy, meaty, and low in seeds; peel and chop before adding
✔ Beans – Cannellini, borlotti, or kidney beans; canned for ease or dried (pre-soaked) for depth
✔ Pasta or Rice – Ditalini, orzo, elbow pasta, or Arborio rice; adds comforting starch
✔ Garlic & Onion – Essential for a flavorful base
✔ Herbs – Bay leaf, thyme, oregano, or rosemary (fresh or dried)
✔ Vegetable Stock – Quality broth is key; use homemade or low-sodium store-bought
✔ Olive Oil – For sautéing and drizzling
✔ Parmigiano Reggiano Rind (optional) – Simmering it in the broth adds savory umami
👩🍳 Preparation
✔ Start with Soffritto – Gently sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery for a sweet, aromatic base
✔ Blanch & Peel Tomatoes – Score an “X” on the bottom, blanch briefly, then peel and dice for a smoother soup
✔ Add Tomatoes Early – Cook down after soffritto to concentrate flavor and soften texture
✔ Simmer Gently – Let soup bubble on low for at least 30–40 minutes to meld flavors
✔ Cook Pasta Separately (optional) – Prevents it from soaking up too much liquid or going mushy
✔ Stir in Greens Last – Leafy greens go in during the final few minutes to stay vibrant and tender
🔥 Cooking Techniques
✔ Deglaze with Wine (Optional) – A splash of white wine after sautéing adds depth
✔ Use the Parm Rind Trick – Simmering a cheese rind enhances the umami base
✔ Control Consistency – Add more broth if the fresh tomatoes make the soup too thick
✔ Let Tomatoes Break Down – Stir occasionally to help them melt into the base
🍳 Balancing Flavors
✔ Naturally Sweeter Base – Beefsteak tomatoes are sweeter and less acidic than canned; adjust salt and herbs accordingly
✔ Add Tomato Paste (Optional) – For more depth if tomatoes are very mild
✔ Herb Freshness – Add fresh parsley or basil at the end for vibrant lift
✔ Acidity Balance – A squeeze of lemon or splash of vinegar can add brightness if needed
📦 Storage
✔ Fridge – Lasts 3–4 days; flavors improve over time
✔ Freeze Friendly – Freeze without pasta for best texture
✔ Reheat Gently – Over low heat to preserve veggie texture
✔ Batch Cooking Win – Perfect for making ahead with seasonal veggies and fresh tomato goodness
🍽 Serving
✔ With Bread – Crusty bread or focaccia for dipping
✔ Garnish Ideas – Grated Parmesan, pesto swirl, or olive oil drizzle
✔ Serve Hot or Warm – Cozy for any season
✔ Wine Pairing – Light reds like Dolcetto or crisp whites like Verdicchio