Hearty Harvest Vegetable and Rice Soup
Warm up your soul with this Hearty Harvest Vegetable and Rice Soup, brimming with fresh seasonal vegetables and wholesome rice. Perfect for chilly days, this slow-cooked delight combines the rich flavors of vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and a medley of vibrant veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and carrots. Enhanced by aromatic garlic and fresh basil, each comforting bowl is packed with nutrients and hearty textures. An ideal dish for family gatherings or meal prep for the week ahead, it promises to be a favorite among both the young and the young at heart.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable broth
2 (14 ounce cans)
Crushed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce can, undrained)
Bouillon cubes
2 (vegetable, chicken, or beef)
Carrots
1.5 (cups, chopped)
Zucchini
3 (small, cut into 1/2 inch slices)
Yellow bell pepper
1 (medium, cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
Green onion
0.5 (cup, sliced)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (minced)
Cabbage
2 (cups, shredded)
Dried marjoram
2 (teaspoons)
Instant rice
0.5 (cup, uncooked)
Fresh basil
0.25 (cup, chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large slow cooker, combine the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and bouillon cubes, stirring gently to dissolve the bouillon.
2
Add the chopped carrots, zucchini slices, yellow bell pepper pieces, sliced green onion, minced garlic, shredded cabbage, and dried marjoram. Mix well to combine all the fresh ingredients.
3
Cover the slow cooker and set it to LOW, letting the soup cook for 6-8 hours, or until all the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
4
About 15 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked instant rice. Cover and cook on LOW until the rice is tender, which should take about 15 minutes.
5
Once the rice is cooked, stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste the soup and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary, to enhance the flavor.
6
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately, enjoying it with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Harvest Vegetable and Rice Soup?
It is a nutrient-dense, slow-cooked soup featuring seasonal vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers combined with wholesome rice and a tomato-based broth.
Is this vegetable and rice soup vegan?
Yes, if you use vegetable broth and vegetable bouillon cubes, this recipe is entirely vegan and vegetarian friendly.
How long does it take to cook in a slow cooker?
The soup should be cooked on the LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours to ensure the vegetables are tender and flavors are well-blended.
What kind of rice is used in this recipe?
This recipe specifically calls for uncooked instant rice to be added at the very end of the cooking process.
When should I add the rice to the slow cooker?
Add the instant rice approximately 15 minutes before you plan to serve the soup.
Should I drain the crushed tomatoes before adding them?
No, you should use one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes undrained to maintain the soup's liquid volume and flavor.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The recipe includes carrots, zucchini, yellow bell pepper, green onion, shredded cabbage, and garlic.
How many bouillon cubes are required?
The recipe requires 2 bouillon cubes, which can be vegetable, chicken, or beef depending on your preference.
What setting should my slow cooker be on?
The slow cooker should be set to LOW for the duration of the cooking time.
Can I use fresh herbs in this soup?
Yes, the recipe uses 0.25 cup of chopped fresh basil which is stirred in just before serving.
What dried seasoning is used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried marjoram to enhance the aromatic profile of the broth.
How should the zucchini be prepared?
The zucchini should be cut into 1/2 inch slices before being added to the slow cooker.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal dish for meal prep for the week ahead as it stores well and remains flavorful.
How much cabbage is needed?
You will need 2 cups of shredded cabbage for this recipe.
What size should the yellow bell pepper pieces be?
The medium yellow bell pepper should be cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
Can I use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth?
Yes, while vegetable broth is recommended, you can substitute with chicken broth if you prefer.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Absolutely, it is described as a slow-cooked delight perfect for chilly days and cozy meals.
What should I serve with Hearty Harvest Vegetable and Rice Soup?
It is recommended to serve the soup with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe requires 1.5 cups of chopped carrots.
Do I need to stir the soup during the 6-8 hour period?
No, you only need to mix the ingredients well at the beginning and then stir again when adding the rice and basil.
How much instant rice is required?
The recipe uses 0.5 cup of uncooked instant rice.
Can I use a different color of bell pepper?
While the recipe calls for yellow bell pepper, you can substitute with red, orange, or green bell peppers.
How much green onion is used?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of sliced green onion.
Should I season the soup with salt and pepper?
Yes, you should taste the soup after the rice is cooked and add salt and pepper as necessary to enhance the flavor.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 main ingredients in this recipe.
Is the bouillon dissolved first?
Yes, you should stir the bouillon cubes into the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes until they begin to dissolve.
Can I cook this on HIGH for a shorter time?
The instructions recommend LOW for 6-8 hours for the best results, but most slow cooker recipes can be adapted to HIGH for 3-4 hours if needed.
How do I know when the rice is done?
The instant rice should be tender after about 15 minutes of cooking on the LOW setting.
Is this soup gluten-free?
It can be gluten-free if you ensure your vegetable broth and bouillon cubes are certified gluten-free, as the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.