A busy day soup recipe may sound like a fancy restaurant dish, but actually it’s just a delicious , nourishing and satisfying bowl of hearty goodness.
It’s a perfect comfort food for a hectic day, packed with nutritious and wholesome ingredients and comes together quickly, so you can enjoy a hearty meal without spending too much time in the kitchen .
This easy-to-make dish is full of flavor and goodness .
Its flavorful broth and fresh veggies make it a tasty and satisfying way to nourish your body.
It’s filling, nutritious and versatile, so it can be served as a main course or as a side dish.
In fact , it does double duty as both lunch and dinner.
And, because it’s served in an ovenproof bowl that can be reheated in the microwave, it’s an ideal option for busy weeknights.

What ingredients do you need for a busy day soup recipe ?
For a busy day soup, you need to start with a good broth.
Some of the most popular recipes call for homemade chicken, beef and vegetable stock, but you can also use store-bought broth if you don’t have time to make your own.
It’s up to you how much broth you’d like to use in the recipe — some may prefer a more robust broth, while others might prefer something less concentrated .
To get started , combine 2 cups of broth with 1 cup of unsalted chicken or beef stock and season it with salt and pepper.
Veggies are next.
Most busy day soup recipes call for onion , garlic and carrots, but feel free to swap out these veggies for other favorites.
Some busy day soup recipes include celery, cucumbers, zucchini and bell peppers as well.
With these ingredients alone, you have everything you need to make a filling and nourishing meal .
The last ingredient is the rice.
You’ll need a variety of rice to make this recipe — white long grain rice is generally used, but brown rice will work as well .
If using regular long grain white rice, cook the rice according to package directions for about 20 minutes; if using parboiled long grain brown rice , cook the rice according to package directions for about 40 minutes.
How long does it take to make a busy day soup recipe ?
With the busy day soup recipe , you can make a hearty meal in a fraction of the time it would take with recipes that require a longer cooking time .
The recipe below takes just 20 minutes to prepare, and serves four to six people.
Is a busy day soup recipe budgetfriendly ?
A busy day soup recipe is a great choice for those who are on a tight budget.
It’s usually made with ingredients that are inexpensive and can be found at any grocery store.
You may not have all the fresh veggies required to make it, but you probably have most of them on hand.
Plus, many busy day soup recipes use leftovers from other recipes or can be made with pantry staples .
For example , this soup uses leftover turkey meat and vegetables from another recipe.
Does a busy day soup recipe require advanced cooking skills ?
To make a busy day soup recipe , you need to know how to cook a few basic things .
The ingredients in this recipe are all staples that you should be able to find at any grocery store.
This means that you don’t need to spend an hour in the kitchen to master this recipe.
You can find recipes using these ingredients and other basic cooking techniques all over the web .
You could even check with your local church or temple for some free cooking classes.
What type of soup is used in a busy day soup recipe ?
Busy day soups are made with vaguely similar ingredients .
However , they vary in the types of ingredients they include and can also vary in their cooking methods and cooking times.
The main difference between a busy day soup recipe and other soup recipes is that busy day soups are more than just a bowl of broth and veggies .
A busy day soup has a rich broth and is often quite flavorful.
It’s filled with nutritious vegetables that add up to a very satisfying meal on its own.
Busy day soups are also known for their versatility , as they can be served cold, at room temperature or warmed up in the microwave.
What are some possible variations of a busy day soup recipe ?
There are many variations of this busy day soup recipe , depending on your taste and preference.
These include:
- Chicken and vegetables version: Add a cooked chicken breast to the broth, along with vegetables like onions , celery and carrots. Cook in the oven or on the stovetop until the chicken is fully cooked and browned .
- Baked tofu version: This busy day soup recipe can also be made with baked tofu , which works great as a substitute for chicken . Just add 1/4 cup (30 g) of grated baked tofu per 1 cup (250 ml) of broth.
- Minestrone verde version: If you prefer a spinach-based soup , try making this busy day soup recipe with a minestrone verde, which is made with kale instead of spinach.
What are some tips for making a busy day soup recipe ?
A busy day soup recipe is very versatile , with many possible variations.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
One of the best things about this recipe is that there are a number of ways to customize it to your own personal tastes .
For example, if you prefer chicken in your soup, then you could use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth and add some boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the end.
Or , if you’d rather go vegetarian, then you can use vegetable broth and skip the chicken entirely.
In addition, you can make this recipe as thick or as thin as you like.
You can also add various vegetables to the mix, such as carrots, celery, parsnips or sweet potatoes.
If you’d like a more substantial soup , consider adding cooked rice or noodles to the mix.
The preparation instructions are pretty simple.
But most importantly, when making this recipe it is important to follow the directions closely.
Remember that your soup will only taste as good as the ingredients you use.
So , get it right and you’ll be rewarded with a flavorful bowl of goodness.
How can a busy day soup recipe be served ?

It’s best to serve this meal as a main dish , because it can be a bit too filling to be served as a side dish.
But if you’re short on time and won’t eat just one bowl, you can also enjoy it as a side dish.
Just add your favorite side dishes like steamed vegetables and warm bread.
Is a busy day soup recipe suitable for vegetarians ?
This busy day soup recipe is a hearty meal for vegetarians.
It’s packed with nutritious, wholesome ingredients like kale, lentils and carrots.
With an array of vitamins and minerals, as well as protein , this soup is a great way to help vegetarians meet their daily nutritional needs.
This recipe includes cooked lentils, which are already pre-cooked so they can be included in the recipe without cooking them again.
Plus, most of the ingredients in this recipe are vegetarian , including the onion.
In addition, it’s easy to make this soup meat-free by substituting tofu for the chicken stock.
Tofu is a great alternative because it can be found in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties.
Even better , tofu is low in fat and cholesterol-free, which makes it a healthier option than chicken.
Can a busy day soup recipe be frozen for later use ?
Yes , you can freeze a busy day soup recipe.
To do so, simply prepare it as directed (except for the final 10 minutes in the oven), and then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.
You’ll want to allow about two hours for the soup to come to room temperature before you reheat it.
Then follow the instructions for reheating.

Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 3/4 cup mixed frozen vegetables
- 5 cups water
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup macaroni
Instructions
- Brown the beef in a big soup pot. Remove fat.
- Add water, tomato juice, and onion soup mix. Simmer on medium-low for one hour.
- Add frozen vegetables and macaroni. Cook for a further 15 minutes over medium heat. Serve warm.