Shortcut Italian Vegetable Soup

This is the kind of soup you throw together when the fridge is looking sparse but you still want something that feels like a real meal.

A packet of dry vegetable soup mix does the heavy lifting, while canned tomato sauce, kidney beans, and corn bulk it up into a thick, rustic Italian-style bowl.

Let the slow cooker do its thing for a few hours, then hit it with grated Parmesan right before serving. That salty, nutty cheese pulls everything together.

Pro Tips

• Chop the carrots small. Smaller pieces break down better in the slow cooker and give the broth more body.
• Add the beans and corn late. Stirring them in at the end keeps their texture from turning to mush.
• Crusty bread is non-negotiable. Serve with a thick slice for dunking. You’ll thank yourself.