Italian Mushroom Barley Soup

Cozy up with a steaming bowl of Italian Mushroom Barley Soup, a hearty and wholesome dish bursting with rustic Italian flavors. This recipe combines tender cremini mushrooms, nutty pearl barley, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all simmered in a fragrant broth enriched with Italian seasoning, garlic, and a touch of diced tomatoes. Perfectly balanced and nourishing, this one-pot wonder is ideal for chilly evenings or as a make-ahead meal for the week. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, this vegetarian soup is as easy to make as it is satisfying. Top it off with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness, and serve with crusty bread to complete the experience. Keywords: "Italian Mushroom Barley Soup," "vegetarian soup," "hearty barley soup," "easy Italian recipes," "mushroom soup recipe."

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 medium celery stalk, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 0.75 cups dry pearl barley
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 whole bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0 to taste Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the sliced cremini mushrooms to the pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release their moisture and reduce in size.

Step 5

Rinse the pearl barley under cold water and then add it to the pot.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth and canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), then stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the Italian seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 8

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender.

Step 9

Remove the pot from heat and discard the bay leaf.

Step 10

Stir in the chopped parsley and taste the soup, adjusting the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.

Step 11

Serve hot, optionally garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and extra parsley. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3288.4 grams (3288.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1905

Total Fat 61.90g	79%
Saturated Fat 12.10g	61%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.90g
Cholesterol 11mg	4%
Sodium 7733mg	336%
Total Carbohydrate 287.50g	105%
Dietary Fiber 65.90g	235%
Total Sugars 59.70g
Protein 69.50g	139%

Vitamin D 34IU	170%
Calcium 727mg	56%
Iron 20mg	112%
Potassium 6819mg	145%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.1%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 57.9%