Hearty and Healthy Vegetable Bean Soup

Is there anything more warming than a bowl of hearty soup on a cold day?  Pair soup with a hunk or slice of bread, and you're warmed up in no time.

But with many hearty soups, you have to watch the fat, calories and sodium too.  If you love hearty with an emphasis on healthy, this soup has your number.

This recipe is completely meatless and vegan, but if your crew craves meat, some Italian turkey sausage would pair beautifully with the flavors.

I added alphabet pasta to the recipe, mainly to jazz it up and make it fun for the boys...but you can easily omit it or use any other small pasta, quinoa, couscous or even rice.

Side note:  if you have a big crowd gathering at your home, this soup is a really inexpensive way to feed your group.

Hearty and Healthy Vegetable Bean Soup

1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, sliced
2 celery ribs, sliced
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 medium zucchini, sliced
12 cups water
1 cup dried white beans
1 cup dried black beans
1 cup dried pinto beans
1 cup dried lentils
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
4 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons turmeric (optional)
1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 cup alphabet pasta, small pasta, quinoa, couscous or rice

In a very large stock pot, heat the oil over medium high heat.  Add the onions and garlic, and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until they begin to brown:

Add the carrot, celery, potatoes and zucchini, and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes:

Add the water, beans, lentils, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric and crushed tomatoes and bring to a boil:

Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.  

**Be sure to stir occasionally and check if there is ample water (you can add additional water as needed, just add an additional 1/4 teaspoon salt with each cup of water to keep the soup adequately seasoned), as this is a thick soup and you don't want it to dry out!** 

Add the pasta or other grain and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

I found this fun gluten-free alphabet pasta!

Serve and enjoy!

Serves 12-16.

Life is sweet,
SPC