What You Need
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
4 cups vegetable broth
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
What To Do
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
Add the diced carrots, celery, bell pepper, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes until they start to soften slightly.
Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes (with their juices). Stir in the dried thyme, oregano, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup while still leaving some chunky vegetables intact.
Ladle the hot vegetable soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil leaves. Serve it alongside crusty whole-grain bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.