Wastebasket Soup

Transform your leftovers into a hearty, flavorful meal with this Wastebasket Soup recipe, a creative way to reduce food waste while savoring a comforting bowl of goodness. This versatile soup combines diced fresh vegetables, leftover cooked proteins, and pantry staples like beans, canned tomatoes, and dried herbs for a nutrient-packed dish that’s as flexible as it is delicious. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this one-pot wonder simmers to perfection, blending its rich flavors in just 30 minutes. Customize it with your favorite grains or whatever ingredients you have on hand, making it perfect for weeknight meals or meal-prep sessions. Serve it hot with crusty bread, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a zero-waste masterpiece!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., carrots, celery, zucchini, bell peppers), diced
• 1 cup leftover cooked protein (e.g., chicken, sausage, tofu), chopped
• 1 cup cooked beans (e.g., cannellini, kidney, black beans) or lentils
• 1 14-ounce can canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons dried herbs (e.g., thyme, oregano, basil)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup optional cooked grains (e.g., rice, quinoa, pasta)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Step 2

Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the mixed vegetables and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften.

Step 5

Add the chopped leftover protein, cooked beans or lentils, and the canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the dried herbs, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 8

Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

If using cooked grains, stir them into the soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt or pepper, if desired.

Step 11

Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers. Enjoy your zero-waste, flavorful soup!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2002.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1740.2

Total Fat 57.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 125mg	0%
Sodium 4569.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 211.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.5g	0%
Total Sugars 49.4g
Protein 103.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 472.6mg	0%
Iron 18.2mg	0%
Potassium 4416.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.1%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 47.7%