Wanda'S Vegetable Soup
Wanda's Vegetable Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish combining tender meat, fresh vegetables, and a medley of seasonings. Perfect for family dinners or cold days, it offers a comforting blend of savory broth, vegetables, and choice of rice, pasta, or potatoes for a customizable, nutritious meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pkg. broth (chicken, beef or ham) ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 clove crushed garlic ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp Italian seasoning ⓘ
- 1 cup meat (chicken, beef or ham) ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced carrot ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can whole tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can whole kernel corn ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can sliced okra ⓘ
- 1 cup uncooked rice or 1/2 lb. egg noodles or 2 cups diced potatoes ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook and dice the meat.
- Save the broth from the cooked meat.
- Sauté onions, celery, green peppers, and garlic in olive or vegetable oil.
- Add the remaining ingredients, including broth, tomatoes, corn, okra, and meat.
- Add rice, pasta, or potatoes as desired.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer until all ingredients are cooked and flavors meld.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier soup, consider using shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover beef. You can substitute quinoa for rice for a gluten-free option. If you're short on time, canned vegetables can be a quick addition. Adjust the Italian seasoning to your taste, and feel free to experiment with different herbs like thyme or basil for added flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Wanda's Vegetable Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Carol's Strawberry Pie for dessert. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for added flair. This soup also makes a great base for other dishes, so feel free to get creative with your servings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the soup from thickening too much. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wanda'S Vegetable Soup contains roughly 611 calories, with 27g protein, 106g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (158% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (59% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2139mg per serving (93% 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 make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken or beef broth. You can enhance the flavor by adding more vegetables and beans, making it a hearty and satisfying vegetarian option.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños while sautéing the vegetables. You can also serve the soup with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer to spice it up to their liking.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes, this soup freezes well! Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stovetop, adding a bit of broth if needed.
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).