Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 8 cups vegetable broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup small pasta (such as macaroni or small shells)
- Fresh parsley or basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Add the diced carrots, celery, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.
Stir in the diced zucchini, green beans, and corn. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and add the dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
While the soup is simmering, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and cook the small pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Once the vegetables are tender, remove and discard the bay leaf.
Stir the cooked pasta into the soup. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat the pasta through.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Ladle the hot vegetable soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil leaves if desired.
Serve your homemade vegetable soup hot with crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy!
This hearty and nutritious vegetable soup is perfect for a comforting meal on a chilly day. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or herbs to suit your taste.