A Deliciously Tasty Vegetable Noodle Soup Recipe
When you think of soup, you think of comfort. Soup is a versatile dish, perfect for cold evenings or when you don’t feel like cooking for a long time. It also comes in handy when you’re unwell because it takes a short time to prepare. Our vegetable noodle soup recipe is soothing and comforting and will be ready in a few minutes.
Vegetable Noodle Soup Recipe
With this vegetable noodle soup, you can use whatever vegetables you prefer. This allows you to tailor the soup to your preference. With that said, the ingredients you need include the following.
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup of diced celery
- 1/2 cup of diced onion
- 3/4 cup of diced carrot
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Parmesan rind (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup orzo (any pasta or noodle you have is still okay)
- 1/2 tsp each: dried basil, dried thyme, dried parsley, dried oregano
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup each: frozen peas, frozen corn
- Handful of fresh dill, basil, or parsley leaves
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Place a large pot over medium heat and add olive oil, onion, and celery. Let it cook for a few minutes and add the garlic and saute.
- Add the carrots and let the vegetables cook for about 7 minutes or until crisp-tender. Keep stirring, and don’t allow the veggies to turn brown. If they start browning, reduce the heat.
- Add the seasonings- dried basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. For the salt, start with a little, as the stock already contains salt, and you don’t want to oversalt the food.
- Add the stock, bay leaves, and parmesan rind, and bring the soup to a boil.
- Add in the orzo pasta and let it boil for about 6 to 9 minutes or until it is al dente.
- Stir in the corn and peas and let everything cook for a minute.
- Remove from heat and add pepper and salt if needed.
- Remove the bay leaves and Parmesan grind and serve in bowls
- Add the dill, basil, or parsley to the served noodle soup.
Tips and Tricks for Making Tasty Vegetable Noodle Soup
Ensure you dice the onions, carrots, and celery into small pieces. If possible, you can use a food processor to dice the vegetables. Also, sauté thoroughly instead of dumping everything into the pot at once. Doing so heightens the flavor of the soup. Plus, you don’t want to bite into a crunchy carrot or celery when taking your soup.
Parmesan rind is the protective layer of the cheese wheel. It develops as the cheese ages, and it’s very hard to chew. But while most people throw it away, Southern Living recommends using it for soups and broths. It’s packed with flavor and enriches soups, stews, and sauces. If you don’t have it, that’s okay because it’s optional. But if you really want to use it, check your grocery store. Most places that carve wheels of parmesan are likely to have it and can sell it for lower prices.
Use high-quality stock because it’s the foundation of the soup. The better the quality, the better your soup will taste. If you aren’t on a strict vegan diet, substitute vegetable stock with chicken stock. Also, once the soup boils and after adding the noodles, reduce the heat to avoid overcooking some ingredients.
As we mentioned earlier, you can use different vegetables depending on your preference. For instance, potatoes, green beans, and leeks are great options to add to the soup. For additional proteins, add extra firm tofu.
This soup can be thicker or thinner, depending on your preference. For a thinner soup, add more vegetable stock, and for a thicker soup, use less stock. Just ensure you adjust the seasoning accordingly for a great flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This soup is tasty and filled with goodness. It contains delicious broth and a variety of vegetables.
- It also takes a short time to prepare. In less than 30 minutes, your soup is ready. Even when unwell, you’ll still have an easy time preparing the soup.
- While we associate soups with days we are unwell, you can have this soup anytime. According to LiveStrong, vegetable soup boosts immunity which can help prevent you from being sick.
- Between the vegetables and noodles, you get a well-balanced meal.
What Type of Pasta Should I Use?
In the recipe, we have mentioned orzo pasta. However, you can use any type of small pasta. Our favorites include macaroni, small shells, acini de pepe, cavatelli, and ditalini.
What to Serve With Vegetable Noodle Soup
This soup tastes amazing with just about anything. Take a look at our top suggestions.
- Baked potatoes: Baking potatoes creates a fluffy and delicious accompaniment for your soup. You can also opt for sweet potatoes as a healthier option.
- Winter kale salad: This salad contains pomegranate arils, toasted pecans, red onions, and kale. It is the perfect pairing for the soup when you want to add more greens to your table.
- Cornbread: Cornbread is the perfect partner for any type of soup.
- Naan bread: Naan bread is quite underrated, yet it makes an amazing accompaniment to this soup. You can have it like that or stuff it with lettuce, your favorite meats, and cheese for a complete meal.
- Grilled cheese sandwich: Grilled cheese sandwiches are always a crowd-pleaser and go well with soup.
How to Store Vegetable Noodle Soup
If you leave the soup out for a long time, it will get thicker. The noodles absorb the soup and leave almost no liquid in the meal. For this reason, we suggest you prepare this meal just before you devour it. Leftovers might still be tasty, but the pasta will be soaked and lose its texture.
If you want to prepare the soup earlier, don’t add the noodles. When ready to serve, you can return the soup to the stove, add the noodles and serve. Another alternative is to prepare the noodles separately and mix them when ready to serve. If you store both separately, they can last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The same principle applies to freezing the soup. Hold off on the noodles and add them when ready to take the soup. The soup can last in the freezer for about three months.
Can I Add Meat to This Soup?
It depends on your preference. This meal is strictly vegetarian, which is why we insist on using vegetable stock instead of beef or chicken stock. Adding meat creates a different recipe. However, if you want some meat in your soup, you can add beef or chicken.
