Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
The Story & Intro
There’s something deeply comforting about a Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup simmering on the stove. For me, this dish brings me straight back to chilly autumn evenings in my grandmother’s countryside kitchen just outside Paris. The windows would fog up, the air would smell like herbs and garlic, and a big pot would bubble slowly while we talked about life, love, and what vegetables needed to be used up before market day.
When I moved to America, I missed that kind of slow, soulful cooking. Life here felt faster, louder but my kitchen became my sanctuary. This Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup was one of the first recipes I adapted, blending French farmhouse simplicity with American heartiness. It’s not fancy, it’s not fussy, and that’s exactly why it’s perfect.
This stew is chunky, cozy, and unapologetically wholesome. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug, filled with tender vegetables, rich broth, and herbs that make your whole house smell incredible. I make this Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup when the weather turns cold, when I need comfort, or when I just want something nourishing that feeds both body and soul.
If you’re craving a one-pot meal that’s healthy, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable, this Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup is about to become your new favorite.
🛒 Ingredients
What I love most about this recipe is how flexible it is. Think of it as a canvas — you can swap vegetables based on what you have or what’s in season.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Carrots, sliced
- Celery stalks, chopped
- Potatoes (Yukon gold or russet), cubed
- Sweet potatoes, cubed
- Zucchini, sliced
- Green beans, trimmed
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Vegetable broth
- Bay leaves
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary
- Paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Optional: white beans or chickpeas
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
Making Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup is all about layering flavors slowly. Don’t rush — let the pot do the work.
- Sauté the aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant. - Build the vegetable base
Add carrots and celery. Let them cook for a few minutes to soften slightly. This step builds the backbone of flavor for the stew. - Add hearty vegetables
Stir in potatoes and sweet potatoes. Toss everything together so the vegetables are coated in oil and aromatics. - Tomato richness
Add tomato paste and stir well. Let it cook for a minute to deepen the flavor, then add diced tomatoes with their juices. - Broth and herbs
Pour in vegetable broth, enough to cover the vegetables. Add bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, paprika, salt, and pepper. - Simmer slowly
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. - Add tender vegetables
Add zucchini, green beans, and beans (if using). Simmer for another 10–15 minutes until everything is tender but not mushy. - Taste and adjust
Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with fresh parsley.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
This Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup is perfect for slow evenings when you want something comforting but not complicated.
📝 Notes
- This stew thickens as it sits — leftovers are even better the next day.
- Add a splash of water or broth when reheating.
- For extra protein, add lentils or beans.
- Want heat? A pinch of red pepper flakes works beautifully.
- This soup freezes incredibly well for up to 3 months.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup shines all on its own, but I love serving it with:
- Crusty sourdough bread
- Warm baguette with butter
- Grilled cheese sandwich
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
For a French touch, rub toasted bread with garlic and drizzle with olive oil divine!
🧾 Recipe Card
🌿 Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup 🌿
⏱️ Time
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 55 min | Total: 75 min
🛒 Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion, diced
- Garlic, minced
- Carrots
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Zucchini
- Green beans
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Vegetable broth
- Bay leaves
- Thyme & rosemary
- Paprika, salt, pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
- Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
- Add carrots and celery.
- Stir in potatoes and sweet potatoes.
- Add tomato paste and tomatoes.
- Pour in broth and herbs.
- Simmer 30–40 minutes.
- Add zucchini and green beans.
- Adjust seasoning and serve warm.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 6g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Fat: 6g
Conclusion
This Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup is more than a recipe it’s a reminder to slow down, to nourish yourself, and to find joy in simple ingredients. Every time I make it, I feel connected to my roots, my memories, and the people I cook for.
Whether you’re feeding your family, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something warm and grounding, this stew delivers every time. From my French-American kitchen to yours, I hope this Rustic Vegetable Stew Soup brings comfort, warmth, and a little love to your table 💛🍲