Busy Day Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) beans (such as kidney beans, cannellini beans, or chickpeas), drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup pasta or rice (optional)
• Chopped fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, beans, broth, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
4. If using pasta or rice, add it to the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pasta or rice is cooked and the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach, or by adding cooked chicken, sausage, or bacon for extra flavor. The beauty of Busy Day Soup is its adaptability to whatever ingredients you have available and whatever flavors you’re in the mood for. Enjoy!