Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoonsolive oil (divided)
- 1stalk celery (about10ribs), root trimmed and cut into thirds
- 1pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
- 5 ouncescremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 teaspoonsdried thyme
- 7 cupswater or vegetable broth
- 1 cupelbow pasta
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- For serving (optional):
- A pinch of paprika or red pepper flakes
- Fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- 1. Roast the Celery
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the celery pieces on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Roast for 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the edges are lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside.
- 2. Cook the Mushrooms and Potatoes
- In a large pot, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release moisture and begin to brown.
- Stir in the diced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle in the dried thyme.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to coat the potatoes in the aromatics.
- 3. Simmer the Soup
- Pour in the water or vegetable broth, increase the heat to bring it to a boil, then reduce to low.
- Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and beginning to break down slightly.
- 4. Blend for Creaminess
- Once the potatoes are soft, remove about half of the potato mixture with some broth and place it in a blender or food processor.
- Add the roasted celery and a few spoonfuls of broth to help blend smoothly.
- Blend until creamy, then pour the mixture back into the pot and stir well.
- 5. Cook the Pasta
- Bring the soup back to a gentle boil.
- Add the elbow pasta and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender but still slightly firm.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- 6. Serve and Garnish
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped dill or parsley.
- Sprinkle lightly with paprika or red pepper flakes for a bit of color and spice.
- Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve hot.
- Chef’s Tips
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk or cream at the end of cooking.
- You can replace elbow pasta with orzo, small shells, or even rice.
- This soup keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days — just thin it out with a bit of broth before reheating.