Hearty High-Protein Vegetable Soup Recipe

Hey there, soup lovers! If you’re looking for a delicious way to enjoy a high-protein vegetable soup, you’ve come to the right place. I remember one chilly evening when my son, Jake, came home from school, and the aroma of this soup filled our kitchen. He took one sip and exclaimed, ‘This is the best soup ever, Mom!’ Let’s dive into this cozy recipe that’s perfect for family dinners.

Why You’ll Love It

• Packed with protein and nutrients to fuel your day.
• Easy to make, even on busy weeknights.
• Versatile enough to customize with your favorite veggies.

Pure Comfort

This high-protein vegetable soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It’s warm, hearty, and just what you need to chase away the chill. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in those veggies your family might not always love.

What You Need

• 1 1 tablespoon olive oil – or avocado oil for a different flavor
• 1 1 large yellow onion, diced – adds sweetness and depth
• 2 2 cloves garlic, minced – for a fragrant kick
• 2 2 medium carrots, diced – for natural sweetness
• 2 2 celery stalks, diced – adds crunch and flavor
• 1 1 bell pepper, diced – any color works
• 1 1 zucchini, diced – for a tender bite
• 1 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed – for protein and fiber
• 4 4 cups vegetable broth – homemade or store-bought
• 1 1 teaspoon dried thyme – or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – adds a smoky flavor
• to taste Salt and pepper to taste – adjust as needed
• 2 2 cups fresh spinach – for a nutrient boost

Time to Cook

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 30 minutes | Total: 45 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: Yes, it stores well.

Steps to Make It

1. Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant. This sets a flavorful base for your soup.
2. Next, stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the veggies soften slightly. You’ll love the aroma that fills your kitchen at this point.
3. Add the bell pepper and zucchini to the pot, mixing everything together. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the bell pepper brightens in color and the zucchini begins to soften. This adds a nice crunch to your soup.
4. Now, toss in the chickpeas, vegetable broth, thyme, and smoked paprika. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir and check if the veggies are tender. If they are, you’re almost there!
6. Finally, stir in the fresh spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts. This adds a lovely green color and extra nutrients to your soup. It’s ready to serve!

Make It Perfect

• Feel free to swap out any veggies you have on hand. This soup is super flexible!
• For added protein, consider tossing in some cooked quinoa or lentils.
• If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the veggies.

Mix It Up

• Make it creamy by blending half of the soup and returning it to the pot.
• Add diced tomatoes for a tangy twist.
• For a keto option, skip the chickpeas and add more low-carb veggies.

Perfect Partners

• Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
• Pair with a simple green salad for a complete meal.
• Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt for creaminess.

💡 For more recipes, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.

FAQs

Conclusion

This hearty high-protein vegetable soup recipe is a family favorite that’s easy to whip up and packed with goodness. Whether you’re enjoying it on a chilly night or prepping for a busy week, it’s a comforting bowl of nutrition. So gather your ingredients and get ready to warm your hearts and bellies!

Hearty High-Protein Vegetable Soup Recipe

This high-protein vegetable soup is packed with nutrients and perfect for chilly evenings. It’s easy to make and versatile, allowing you to use your favorite vegetables while delivering comfort in each bowl.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• Large Pot

Ingredients

  

Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil for a different flavor
• 1 large yellow onion, diced adds sweetness and depth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced for a fragrant kick
• 2 medium carrots, diced for natural sweetness
• 2 stalks celery, diced adds crunch and flavor
• 1 bell pepper diced any color works
• 1 zucchini diced for a tender bite
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed for protein and fiber
• 4 cups vegetable broth homemade or store-bought
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor
• to taste Salt and pepper adjust as needed
• 2 cups fresh spinach for a nutrient boost

Instructions

 

• Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and fragrant. This sets a flavorful base for your soup.
• Next, stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the veggies soften slightly. You’ll love the aroma that fills your kitchen at this point.
• Add the bell pepper and zucchini to the pot, mixing everything together. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the bell pepper brightens in color and the zucchini begins to soften. This adds a nice crunch to your soup.
• Now, toss in the chickpeas, vegetable broth, thyme, and smoked paprika. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir and check if the veggies are tender. If they are, you’re almost there!
• Finally, stir in the fresh spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts. This adds a lovely green color and extra nutrients to your soup. It’s ready to serve!

Keyword Comfort Food, Healthy, high-protein, soup, vegetable