Make great soup using a few basic ingredients!

Did you know that soup is one of the easiest low calorie main dish meals you can make? All you need are some basic ingredients and you can make a delicious almost fat-free, gluten-free meal!
Over the past four years, I have come to realize that a you only need to keep a few basic ingredients on hand.
Pantry:
1 quart of chicken broth or a chicken broth cubes
I quart of beef broth or a jar of beef broth cubes
1 14-oz can of diced tomatoes
Rice or a small box of you favorite pasta (bow ties, orzo, ditalini)
Seasonings like salt, pepper, dried or minced onions, garlic salt, oregano, sage, bay leaves, and something spicy like cumin, creole, or cayane pepper.

Vegetables
Onion
Celery
Carrots
Garlic
1 10-oz bag of frozen mixed vegetables

Meat and Poultry (I keep frozen)
Chicken
Any kind of ground meat (beef, pork, turkey)
Any kind of sausage ( sweet, hot, andouille, smoked, chorizo)

Here is a good basic recipe:
1 cup each diced onion, celery, and carrots sautéed in a tiny bit of olive olive until onions are translucent. If using ground meat, add to the onion mix and cook till browned. Add 1 qt. of broth and diced meat (chicken, or pre-cooked sausage). Add seasonings to taste, bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes till meat is heated through or if using chicken-is cooked throughly.
Add pasta during the last 10 or so minutes ( check package for recommended al dente cooking time)..

Some basic combos:
Chicken soup- onions, garlic, carrots, chicken broth, chicken, rice or pasta
Beef vegetable. - onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ground beef or small cubes of bottom round, beef broth, diced tomatoes, mixed veges, bay leaf.
Spicy soups- onion, garlic, celery, peppers, ground meat or spicy sausage, diced tomatoes, cumin or creole seasoning

I have made some great variations using other items that I happen to have on hand:
Fresh spinach (you just want to wilt it so add right before serving)
Yellow squash- diced
Zucchini- diced
Potatoes- peeled and diced
Beans- any kind! Chick peas, red kidney, navy, butter, black, you-name-it!  (Rinsed and drained)
Grated cheese- add to top when serving.
Frozen ravoli and  tortellini

Serve with bread and salad and you'll have a great meal or two. Freeze left overs for another easy meal.
Have fun- taste as you go!