First let me confess to always being short on time so "cheating" by using some packaged items in my cooking.
Veggie beef soup
8 cups water
1/8-1/4 cup knorr beef bullion (start with 1/8th and adjust to taste)
1 can 16 ounces diced tomatoes (I use ones I canned from the garden)
3 stalks celery...