As we continue to eat our way through soup land, this week, I focus on the veggies. Italian Vegetable Soup is rich and hearty with the addition of ground beef. Cajun Corn Soup is spicy and delicious. Vegetable Burger Soup takes only minutes to make. Serve any of these soups with some crusty bread and a fresh salad and you’ve got yourself a meal! Happy eating!

Italian Vegetable Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1 C. chopped onion
1 C. chopped celery
1 C. chopped carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5-oz. can peeled and diced tomatoes
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
2 19-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 C. water
5 tsp. beef bouillon granules
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 C. chopped cabbage
1 15.25-oz. can whole kernel corn
1 15-oz. can green beans
1 C. macaroni

Place ground beef in a large soup pot. Cook over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in onion, celery, carrots, garlic, chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, water and bouillon. Season with parsley, oregano and basil. Simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in cabbage, corn, green beans and pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente. Add more water if needed.

Cajun Corn Soup

1 C. chopped onion
1 C. chopped green pepper
6 green onions, sliced
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. all-purpose flour
3 c water
1 14.5-oz. can Cajun style tomatoes
2 C. chopped peeled tomatoes
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
2 16-oz. pkgs. frozen whole kernel corn
3 C. cooked ham, cubed
1.5 lbs. smoked sausage, sliced
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Salt to taste
Hot pepper sauce to taste

In a large kettle or Dutch oven, saute’ onion, green pepper and green onions in oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook until bubbly. Add water, stewed tomatoes and chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, mixing well. Stir in the corn, ham, sausage, cayenne pepper, salt and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Vegetable Burger Soup

1 lb. ground beef
4 C. water
2 16-oz. cans stewed tomatoes
2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce
2 10-oz. pkgs. frozen mixed veggies
1/2 C. dry onion soup mix
2 tsp. sugar

In a large saucepan, brown ground beef. Drain off excess fat. Stir in water, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, vegetables, onion soup mix and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.