Recipe

On a crisp autumn weekday evening, nothing satisfies like a hearty, main-course soup that warms you from the inside out. This Italian-style rustic pasta soup makes clever use of a "Veggie Soup Base" prepped in advance with your Geedel vegetable chopper on the weekend, ready to serve in just 15 minutes. The short pasta absorbs the essence of the vegetables and herbs, delivering the authentic taste of Tuscan sunshine in every spoonful.

Ingredients (serves 4):

Veggie Soup Base Pack (prepped ahead): 1 yellow onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 zucchini

Soup Base: 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes, 1.5 liters vegetable or chicken broth, 1 cup short pasta (e.g., Ditalini, small shell pasta)

Italian Herbs: 2 garlic cloves, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf

Beans & Flavor Boost: 1 can (400g) white beans (e.g., cannellini), drained and rinsed

Finishing Touches: ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil, salt and black pepper

Optional: Sliced pepperoni or diced bacon for added depth

Weekend Prep Steps:

1.  Prep the Soup Base Vegetables (using Geedel):

    Wash, peel (zucchini skin can be left on), and roughly chop the onion, carrots, celery, and zucchini. Fit the dicing blade into your Geedel food chopper. Place carrot chunks in the container and press down steadily and firmly 5-6 times until uniformly diced. The efficient design of this manual vegetable chopper allows dense root vegetables to be finely cut in moments. Repeat with the onion, celery, and zucchini.

2.  Portion and Freeze:

    Divide the mixed vegetable dice into sealable freezer bags, about 3 cups per portion (enough for one pot of soup). Remove excess air, flatten, and freeze. Can be stored for up to 3 months. The flat shape speeds up thawing.

Quick Cooking Steps (Weekday Evening):

1.  Build the Flavor Foundation (6:00 PM):

    Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Take a Veggie Soup Base pack from the freezer—no need to fully thaw—and add it directly to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant. Add the crushed garlic cloves now.

2.  Construct the Broth (6:08):

    Pour the entire can of crushed tomatoes and the broth into the pot. Add the fresh rosemary, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes to let the herbal flavors infuse.

3.  Add the Main Components (6:18):

    Stir the short pasta and the drained white beans into the pot. Cook according to the pasta's package instructions (usually 8-12 minutes) until the pasta is al dente (firm to the bite).

4.  Final Seasoning & Serving (6:30):

    Remove the rosemary stem, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Turn off the heat and stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the soup for a rich, savory depth.

5.  To Serve:

    Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley. Finish with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Serve with a slice of toasted crusty sourdough or focaccia for dipping—a perfect, complete meal.

Pro Tips:

Flavor Upgrade: Before sautéing the vegetables in Step 1, try crisping up some sliced pepperoni or diced bacon. Use the rendered fat to cook the veggies for a significantly deeper flavor profile.

Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker soup, use a fork or potato masher to crush some of the white beans against the side of the pot before adding the pasta.

Keep it Vegetarian: Simply use vegetable broth and omit any meat-based additions to ensure the dish is fully vegetarian.

Summary:

This flavorful Italian pasta soup perfectly embodies the convenience of the "Veggie Soup Base" concept. The Geedel vegetable chopper makes the most time-consuming part of prep—dicing—quick and efficient. Homemade frozen vegetable packs not only save precious time on weekdays but also guarantee a pure, robust flavor for your soup base. A bowl of hot soup and a cozy dinner moment—this is the warm reward in our fast-paced lives.