Turn forgotten produce and herbs loitering in the fridge into this easy, quick soup. It’ll keep for days, leaving you with meals for the foreseeable future.

Game plan: You’ll need to make Pesto before you begin.

  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 
  • Active: 45 mins

Ingredients (14)

  • 4 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, medium dice
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 medium carrots, medium dice
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, medium dice
  • 2 cups additional vegetables of your choice (such as red pepper, cabbage, asparagus, mushrooms, fennel, or peas), medium dice
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 1 pinch dried thyme (optional)
  • 1/4 cup white wine or dry vermouth (optional)
  • 4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, medium dice
  • Pesto, for garnish (optional, see above)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the carrots and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the celery and, if using, any hearty vegetables (such as cabbage and fennel) and the bay leaf and thyme. Season again with salt and pepper and cook an additional 5 minutes. If using, add the wine or vermouth (for some acidity) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the alcohol has reduced by about half, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add the broth, potatoes, and any quicker-cooking vegetables (such as asparagus and peas). Let the soup come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and gently simmer, uncovered, until the potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork, about 15 to 25 minutes. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed. If you choose, serve with a dollop of pesto.