Serves 10 to 12

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons high-quality olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 sticks celery, finely chopped  
• 2 Tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 3 cartons (32 fl. oz. each) low-salt vegetable broth* (see note below)
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes**
• 4 carrots, peeled, cut into bite size pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 12 green beans, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 zucchini, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 yellow squash, cut into bite size pieces
• 3 medium potatoes, cut into bite size pieces

Chef notes: This soup uses one large pot, so cleanup is a breeze. Ingredients are added to the recipe in stages per directions below.

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onions and celery in the olive oil until tender (about 5 minutes), stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cook and stir until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the broth, fire-roasted tomatoes, carrots, bay leaves, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to medium. Cook, partially covered, over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the green beans, zucchini, and squash. Cook, partially covered, for another 10 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook, partially covered, for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes and vegetables are tender.

*Non-vegetarians may substitute the vegetable broth with cartons of chicken or beef broth.

**Enjoy the fire-roasted flavor? If so, add two cans of diced fire-roasted tomatoes to the soup pot rather than one. Having trouble finding canned fire roasted tomatoes?  Click the following link for a recipe to make your own:  fire roasted tomatoes.

Chef’s tips:

• Adding rice or noodles to this soup? If so, cook them separately, ladle the rice or noodles into individual bowls, and add the soup over top.  
• Want to make this soup ahead and freeze it? Slightly undercook the potatoes to prevent them from overcooking when reheating on the stovetop.

Learn more:

Vegetable soup offers immense health benefits. Click here to learn more.

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