Elevate Canned Vegetable Soup With One Aromatic Ingredient

While there's nothing wrong with eating canned soup as-is, there are plenty of different ingredients that can transform it into a luxurious dinner. From cupboard to cup, preparing canned soup doesn't take much — which is why it's so easy to give this pantry product a tasty boost. This convenient, dinner-in-a-pinch product has been a staple in kitchens across America for over a century, but there's one aromatic ingredient you may have forgotten that will easily take it to the next level. It's versatile, easy to prep and doesn't take much to give it an upgrade. Enter pesto.

Adding a dollop of pesto to your favorite canned vegetable soup can give you a fresh flavor boost that will make it taste homemade. Pesto is typically made from fresh herbs, nuts (pine nuts are the traditional choice), garlic, olive oil, and an umami-rich cheese such as Pecorino or Parmesan. This salty, herby, and fresh mixture is ideal for adding brightness to canned soup. And if you're keeping a jar of pesto in the fridge, knowing how long it's good for once you've opened the jar will be key to making sure you're always adding a spoonful of herbaceous flavor to your soups. 

The word pesto comes from the Italian word pestare, which means to crush or to pound. This sauce is said to have originated in Genoa, a northern region of Italy. It's typically made with a mortar and pestle and uses fresh basil, garlic, cheese, pine nuts, and olive oil (though many recipes employ their own unique ingredient lineups, especially by swapping in different nuts). Putting bold pesto on pasta, bruschetta, or even using it to upgrade pasta salad are the most common ways of using this traditional, Italian sauce. But why stop there? Adding it soup or frying eggs in this bright green sauce might just become one of you new favorite applications. 

A spoonful of fresh pesto is the key to giving your canned vegetable soup that aromatic, homemade taste. The basil adds an herbal edge, the olive oil adds richness, the cheese provides creaminess, and the pine nuts bring a toasted nuttiness to the soup. A swirl of pesto will enliven just about any version of this dish but will especially let tomato or vegetable soup shine. For instance, the natural sweetness of tomatoes or other veggies balances well with the peppery and nutty notes of the pesto, elevating the overall dish and flavor profile.