Healthy Hearty Soup
A hearty, nutritious soup combining lean ground turkey, vegetables, beans, and pasta in a flavorful broth, perfect for comforting family dinners or healthy lunches.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. ground turkey ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced carrots ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can pinto beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 3/4 cups beef broth ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup elbow macaroni ⓘ
- 1 (9 oz.) package frozen green beans ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground turkey in a large pot, then add chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Drain excess fat from the meat and vegetables.
- Add sliced carrots, drained pinto beans, canned tomatoes with liquid, beef broth, water, red wine, bay leaf, salt, basil, and pepper to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add elbow macaroni and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in frozen green beans and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve hot, optionally topped with Parmesan cheese.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using fresh herbs like thyme or oregano instead of dried basil. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, substitute the ground turkey with lentils or mushrooms. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. For a heartier texture, try adding some diced potatoes or sweet potatoes along with the carrots.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this healthy hearty soup hot, optionally topped with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. It pairs well with a simple side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal. This dish is a great option for meal prep, making it easy to enjoy on busy weeknights. For more cozy dinner ideas, check out Meal In A Bowl.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from thickening too much. You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months; just be sure to leave out the macaroni, as it can become mushy when thawed.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Healthy Hearty Soup contains roughly 336 calories, with 19g protein, 60g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (112% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (84% of the Daily Value), and iron (77% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1390mg per serving (60% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?
Yes, you can easily substitute ground turkey with ground beef, chicken, or even a plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian version. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is cooked through.
What can I add to make the soup spicier?
If you prefer a kick of heat, try adding red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the pot along with the other vegetables. You can also include a dash of hot sauce when serving for an extra spicy finish.
Is it possible to make this soup in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can brown the turkey and sauté the onions and garlic first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Just add the macaroni in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).