This smoky vegetable soup with Carrot and courgette (zucchini) is a real family favourite. It is robust and satisfying enough to serve as a main meal with gloriously thick chunks of bread or equally well placed when served as an appetiser, dressed up with a few tasty garnishes. It has a deep, smoky paprika flavour and comes loaded with plenty of vegetables.
It was strangely humid around me yesterday, but today I definitely detected a whiff of autumn in the atmosphere. In fact, newsflash: I was vaguely cold today, for just a few moments. I’ve not been chilly in England for quite some time.
When we get to this time of year something changes in me. I know we are on a downhill and fastmoving track to December, but I don’t mind. Before we get to the final chapter of the year, we get to enjoy all of the bounties that autumn brings our way.
Of course, I’m not just talking about stockpiles of apples or the vivid displays of colour that will appear on our trees very soon. Those, along with numerous festivities the world over, are all welcome autumn treats.
Unsurprisingly, I’m also thinking about the food options that the colder autumnal weather brings our way. It’s time to break out the baking spices. It’s time for pie and stews – with a few dumplings if I’m very lucky. And it’s unquestionably time for soup. We have soup as our main meal at least once a week for most of the year. There are so many soups to make that it’s a dish that my family never grows tired of.
Today’s carrot and courgette soup with paprika, however, is one of our all-time favourites. Try serving it with a sandwich alongside for a substantial lunch – my favourites are egg mayo and cheese savoury or my chilli cheese toastie.
As is often the case with favourite recipes, they just evolve over time. Yes, you guessed it, this smoky vegetable soup with Carrots & courgettes (zucchini) is one such recipe. I’ve been ladling it out for years, but I never bothered to write down the list of ingredients for it until recently. And that is why this established favourite is only just taking the star turn on LittleSugarSnaps.
If you like soups involving courgette don’t miss my tomato, courgette and fennel soup.
How to Make Carrot & Courgette Soup
As with most soups, this hearty carrot and zucchini soup is very easy to prepare:
- fry some onion, garlic and chorizo
- grate the vegetables in a food processor
- add to the onion mix with a good dose of paprika & oregano and cook for a few minutes
- pour in the stock and tinned tomatoes, season and simmer
It’s really that easy. And because the food processor does most of the veggie preparation, this soup requires minimal hands-on time.
Serving Ideas for Carrot & Zucchini Soup
As for serving, we rather like mopping up this smoky vegetable soup with some homemade Cheesy Jalapeno Bread, but any tasty loaf will do. This soup is hearty with a deeply satisfying warmth from the paprika & chorizo and makes a great weeknight supper just as it is. Oh, and it can easily be made vegetarian – just omit the chorizo for a couple of handfuls of cooked black beans.
Should you be on the look out for a fancy appetiser this soup can cover your back too. Simply serve smaller portions and top each bowl with a few slices of thinly sliced fried chorizo, some crumbled feta or some croutons.
As autumn takes hold, and seasonal festivities arise, I’m looking forward to serving this smoky carrot and courgette soup al fresco – I’m daydreaming about enamel mugs with a spoon to hand and a front row position by a large bonfire.
Have you tried my other soups?
- Mulligatawny soup
- Split-pea, chicken & rice soup
- Mushroom & Stilton soup
- Celeriac, spinach & blue cheese soup
📖 Recipe
Paprika Soup with Carrot and Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 White onion (medium)
- 2 Cloves garlic
- 300 g/ 10 ½ oz Carrot
- 300 g/ 10 ½ oz Zucchini
- 75 g/ 2 ½ oz Chorizo
- 1 tablespoon Paprika (sweet, mild)
- 2 tablespoon Fresh oregano – finely chopped
- 1x 400g/ 14 oz Tin chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoon Tomato puree
- 1 lt/ 4 cups Vegetable stock
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion & chorizo and fry in a large saucepan with 1 tablespoon olive oil until the onion begins to soften
- Crush the garlic cloves and add to the pan
- Grate the carrot and zucchini finely. (Using a food processor is the quickest and easiest way to do this). Add to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften slightly
- Add the paprika and oregano. Stir in
- Next pour in the tinned tomatoes along with the tomato puree, the stock and some seasoning. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and let cook for 20 minutes
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired
- Serve immediately or let cool and store (covered) in the fridge for up to 3 days
Autumn
I got a yellow squash from a librarian and some carrots from a flower farmer and I desperately looked online for something to do with them and thank god I did. This was the best thing I’ve ever cooked with my own two hands — I unfortunately couldn’t find chorizo, so I swapped it out for Italian salami, but it was still so lovely and warm and rich. This morning the air smelled like autumn and the world is good the world is good the world is good.
Jane Coupland
Thankyou Autumn – it’s the perfect soup for the changing of the seasons from warm sunny days to cooler ones. It’s always been a family favourite – all of my household enjoy this one.
Doug
Made this when we had COVID and we were craving for a soup, but only had limited fresh food in the house. We’d carrots and courgettes, onion and garlic harvested before we fell ill from our allotment and a stump of chorizo. It was AMAZING! I made it in our soup maker just topping up to max rather than the liquid amounts as precisely listed here – I made it chunky then blended it a little to give it a hybrid texture. You are a genius – it was the only thing we enjoyed all day. I confess I added a splash of Sherry, a dash of Worcestershire Sauce and a very light sprinkle of mild chilli powder.
Jane Saunders
Ah Doug, thanks so much. It remains one of our family favourites – just so hearty and comforting. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and I wish you a speedy recovery!
Jillian
Hearty and delicious soup.
Jane Saunders
thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it.
Rosy B
I’ve only just discovered your site – thank goodness for courgette glut which led me to this recipe. Husband and I loved it so I’ll definitely be making more.
Jane Saunders
Thankyou Rosy for your lovely feedback. My daughter absolutely loves this soup and frequently asks for it. She normally hates courgette!
sheenam | thetwincookingrproject
Looks so hearty and comforting!! Love the colour. Trying this recipe for sure.
Jane Saunders
Thanks Sheenam. I hope you enjoy it.
Betty
This is perfect for the changing seasons! I love the smoky flavour of paprika, can’t wait o try this!
Jane Saunders
Thanks Betty – I hope your tastebuds back my family up and declare it a favourite.
Britni
Im so excited for fall weather because it means it is soup time. Thank you
Jane Saunders
Me too – bring on the vats of soup.
Renee Goerger
I love paprika and I love this soup. It’s got a great balance of flavor and that color is amazing!!
Jane Saunders
Thankyou Renee. I do like bright food and the paprika just boosts the red nature of this soup.