Quick Bite: Vegetable Soup

I must have already shared this recipe with 59,685 people because it is hands-down the best vegetable soup I have ever had. This version is adapted from the Real Simple original by doubling most of the ingredients, adding some chicken sausage and a can of corn, and adjusting the broth to taste. Honestly, this might be the most fool-proof soup recipe I have encountered (whereas that potato leek I once made was not), so I would say play around with it and make it your own. We usually gobble this up with a side of crusty french bread or a grilled-cheese. With weather like this, just make a big batch and come home to a quick bowl of soup for a few days without having to brave it for groceries or dinner out there. I mean really, I'm thisclose to buying a Snuggie if it stays like this!

Ingredients

*To make it easier, you can buy pre-chopped carrots and broccoli

2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 32-ounce cartons free-range chicken broth
• 2 pound Yukon Gold or white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 pound green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces (1 cup)
• 2-3 cups chopped broccoli
• 1 15.25-ounce can of whole kernel yellow corn
• 1 pack of pre-cooked chicken sausage (Trader Joe's or Aidells Organic), sliced
• 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted (optional)
• 1 cup water

• Directions

  Warm the oil in a large saucepan or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, water, potatoes, thyme, and salt. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, broccoli, corn, and chicken sausage and cook 5 to 10 minutes more or until all the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Serve with toasted baguette slices.