A Healthy Vegetable Soup made extra tasty……this is my version of the famous Zero Weight Watchers Points cabbage soup. It has 0.4 points (let’s round it down to zero!) but it tastes way, way, way better!
A healthy vegetable soup made extra tasty.
Do you know about the zero Weight Watchers Points cabbage soup? Essentially, all you do is put all the vegetables, broth/stock and a dollop of tomato paste into a pot, bring it to a boil then that’s it.
I don’t even need to try it to know that it would be rather bland. I just couldn’t bring myself to make it. So I made up my own version. of a healthy vegetable soup:-)
Yes, mine involves a tiny bit of oil so a soffrito of onion, celery and carrots can be slowly sautéed until sweet which creates a beautiful flavour base for this soup. There is a reason that this is the way that many of the greatest classics in this world start – like Beef Ragu!
In addition to the soffrito, I also sauté oregano and fennel. Much like hot water makes the flavour of cocoa powder “bloom”, sautéing dried herbs and spices really opens up their flavour. If you haven’t tried it before, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
I know fennel may sound like an interesting choice, but the reason I chose it is because I wanted to give this soup a Spanish kick and what better way to give a soup a big flavour kick than to use Chorizo seasonings? 🙂
So that’s why I use fennel. It’s very subtle and not a key ingredient, so skip it if you don’t like or have it.
But if you do buy it especially to use in this recipe (and it costs no more than the usual dried herbs), use the leftovers to make my brother’s epic Sausage Rolls. They are da bomb! – Nagi x
Soup Dippers
Quick Cheesy Garlic Bread • Better-Than-Dominos Garlic Bread • Soft No Knead Dinner Rolls
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Healthy Vegetable Soup (0.4 WW Points) recipe video!
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Spanish Healthy Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
Soup:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
- 2 medium carrots , finely chopped
- 1 large celery stalk/rib , finely chopped
- 2 red capsicums / bell peppers , cut into 2 cm / 4/5” pieces
- 5 cups cabbage , cut into 3 cm / 1.2” pieces (about 400g/14oz)
- 800g / 28 oz crushed tomato
- 3 cups (750 ml) vegetable or chicken broth (low fat!)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika (or any paprika)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust spiciness to taste)
Finishes (not optional!):
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon – zest + juice to taste
- Finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 30 seconds or so.
- Add oregano and fennel seeds, cook for 2 minutes (lets flavour “bloom”).
- Turn heat down to medium low. Add carrots and celery, cook, stirring regularly, for 8 minutes until onion is sweet (not browned). This step is key to the flavour base of this soup.
- Add capsicum, turn heat up to high and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add remaining Soup ingredients, bring to simmer then place lid on. Turn heat down to medium low, simmer for 25 minutes.
- Remove lid, adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle soup into bowls. Grate over lemon zest, squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley. Serve!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
When Dozer sings…
Clint says
Wow this is a beautiful recipe and actually quite sweet when cooked the way describe thank you
Nagi says
Yes! Vegetables sweeten when sautéed slowly! N x
Angela Garlick says
Hi Nagi,
Could I make this without cabbage.?
Thanks for all your lovely recipes,!
Nagi says
You sure can! Though I’d recommend substituting with something else – spinach, kale, whatever you want! N xx
marsh says
Great soup!!
Nagi says
Thanks Marsh! 🙂
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Shelley! Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback! N xx
Sarah says
Hi Nagi! Thanks so much for the awesome recipes! I made this soup and it was aweeesome and different 🙂 A quick one: I want to make it again but this time I don’t have red bell pepper. Think I can get away with using green ones? (eyes closed) Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi Sarah – yes of course! This recipe is really suited to any veggies that can be sautéed like those in the recipe! N xx
Jo says
What a flavoursome vegetable soup. I gave it to hubby as per recipe and he loved it, the other half I have beefed up with some kidney beans and a chorizo (fried gently before addding) for dinner. Loving your recipes, thank you.
Nagi says
That’s so great to hear Jo! Thanks for letting me know – N xx
Glenys Cadman says
Hi Nagi
this is a terrific flavourful soup especially for zero points. My husband cooked it last night and we have given it 5 stars! An almost unheard of rating in our household!!
Thanks Glenys
Nagi says
WOAH!!! Five stars for a diet soup?? That is a HIGH PRAISE! N x
Bonnie says
Hi Nagi
Made this soup tonight for dinner. Another grand slam! I just love your recipes and how simple they are to make. Love your videos, they do help. I always like videos because I know if I doing it right
I did everything in your recipe. But, I did add a couple of vegi’s that I like. I did use chicken broth. Well, I now will look around your recipes and see if I can find something new again
As always, Bonnie in Markleeville, in the Sierra’s
Don’t forget to give Dozer a hug for me
Nagi says
YES YES YES!!! I am so super happy to hear you enjoyed this Bonnie, validates it! N xx PS I promise to pass on the hug as soon as I get back home to Australia!
Jenni says
I too have succumbed to the problem of over-eating. I would like to blame you and all the wonderful meals we have been cooking from your website, but alas it is all down to will-power. After stepping on the scales this morning the willpower has increased significantly and I am now enjoying a bowl of this delicious soup. Tomorrow it’s your delicious Asian cabbage salad (150 calories and so much taste). Everything in moderation, hey Nagi 🙂
Nagi says
YOU need to step up your healthiness??? What about ME, overindulging in NYC?? 😂 More healthy recipes coming right up! N xx
Bonnie says
Hi Nagi. This soup is for me! Lol. I going to make it this week. I cannot wait.
Btw. Dozed is adorable. Glad you finally went to a real rodeo. I love corn dogs, I could never eat that one! What’s in your left hand?
Peace to you, Bonnie from Markleeville, CA
Nagi says
A giant stick of fried tenders!!! 😂
jessica says
Hi, its really healthy soup, used healthy ingredients thanks for sharing this soup i will try this recipe
Nagi says
Thanks Jessica! I do hope you try it one day! N xx
Paul says
Corn dog? Surely you mean Pluto Pup?
Nagi says
Is that another name for them??? 🙂
Paul says
Are you playing funnies? How long have you lived here? Never been to the Show, or a farmers market? Mate, they’re Pluto Pups.
I know the Yanks call them corn dogs, and I suppose that will catch on here eventually, like x-y-zee in the alphabet, but never with people of my generation.
We speak Australian, not American.
Pluto Pup.
PS: Made a bad blue, using up leftover veggies and chucked in 1/4 red cabbage. Soup looks like it was cooked in squid ink. Sigh.
Nagi says
PS I’ve lived in Australia since I was 3.
Nagi says
Hi Paul! Maybe I’m just blind to these at our markets, I swear they are not sold at any local markets I’ve been too! PS Thanks for the tip on red cabbage, I will add that tip!
Fred rickson says
Nagi…MSG…excommunicate any helpful knowledge in your blog. Good on you.
Deborah Porton says
I just love your recipies! Tho, I will tweak some of the ingredients.
Out of curiosity, any chance you will make it to Arizona? I would love to meet u & discuss cooking recipies w you!
Nagi says
Hi Deborah! Definitely tweak the ingredients, that’s the beauty of recipes like this, they are a great “guide”! 🙂 Unfortunately won’t be making it out to Arizona this trip but it’s on my list! I have friends there I have been promising to visit for years and years! N x
Wee says
Oh, Nagi,
Lovely to have you visit Canada, Nagi. The Calgary Stampede is a long-established tradition, perhaps now, long-in-the-tooth but for history’s sake, I guess an icon of bygone times. The mid-way that accompanies it, with myriad snackstalls, is up from the States, travels to all Canadian venues and, as such, brings with it the large proportions you mention. In my sussing, Canucks are still a little shy of such sagging plates. Welcome, dear, but please don’t jam us into the gargantuan over-consumption of our neighbours to the south.
Nagi says
Hi Wee!! I say it all in good jest 🙂 Actually, there were sensible sized portions of everything too, it is just that I could never resist the word “GIANT”!!! 🙂 N xx
Malika A. Black says
Another great soup Nagi!
Wow you are in Calgary!
Sounds like you are having a good time over there! Beautiful pictures! Enjoy your vacation!
Nagi says
Having an amazing time!!!! N xx
Sheila Woodyard says
Welcome to Alberta! I am glad you are enjoying yourself in Calgary, but you also need to visit us up here in Edmonton!
We boast the largest shopping mall in the world (okay, so I am a bit biased as I work in one of the shops, Build-A-Bear do you have one in Sydney?) and lots of other great things to see and do!
Enjoy yourself, and if you do get up to West Edmonton Mall, pop into the store and see if I am working!
Nagi says
OMG can you believe that the one other person I know in Alberta lives in Edmonton and I was supposed to go up but plans changed?? I definitely hope to get up there one of these days!!
Ani says
Welcome to Canada! Are you coming out to the West Coast?
Nagi says
Thanks Ani! Unfortunately not this time – but I WILL BE BACK! This was a quick trip to visit a friend and the Stampede 🙂 N xx
Vera G says
Wow, women what are you Geting up to!!?. Please make sure you came home with all bones in place. That’s my kind of recepies, soup, more soup, Love it. Dear neighbour says are we having more soup….Do you know on real cold day( on Tues 02 C) would drink home made chicken stock to warme up. Thank you for your time and effort much appreciated . Nagi, with my sister still nothing, back to hospital tomorrow for talk and they think next week treatment. Hope, Hope God they know what they are doing. This is Realy NERVE WRECKING, TUMMY IS DOING MERRY GO AROUND, MY HANDS ARE SHAKING….. HOPE FOR SUNSHINE. You’ll have weather shock on return. Sydney was colder than Melb.. Look after your self and HAVE BLAST OF A TIME!! Vera.
Nagi says
Ha ha ha! Believe me I am! Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear your sister is still getting the run around. That’s just so terrible. I will think of her. And yes….I expect the weather will be a shock….I’m now in NYC and it is rather hot!! N xx
Jenny says
Enjoy your stay in Calgary. I’m from Brisbane and have been living in Calgary for 30 years. Great place to live.
Nagi says
Fellow Aussie in Calgary!!!! So…you cope with the -30C winters??? 😂