Tag: budget friendly

This Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, or commonly called Hamburger Soup, is the perfect easy soup recipe for a busy day. Our 30 minute soup recipe is a flavorful ground beef based soup loaded with vegetables, lean ground beef, diced tomatoes and potatoes. It’s a one-pot dinner that makes it an easy cozy soup recipe!

Hamburger Soup is a quick and easy ground beef recipe, but don’t worry, as simple as it is to make, it’s still packed with flavor. And best of all, it hits 5 major wins:

1. It’s great made ahead of time
2. Totally budget friendly
3. A one pot meal
4. Reheats well, even better than day 1
5. AND freezes perfectly!

Mom’s Wisdom

One of the first things I learned when I got married was that my mom’s budget-food recipes she sent me off to college with were exactly what I needed as a busy newlywed as well. Easy beef vegetable soup is a filling and inexpensive recipe that makes life so much easier when you’re trying to get dinner on the table.

Mom taught me that homemade soups are super easy to throw together and they’re much tastier than store-bought canned soup, plus healthier too. I like to make a double batch so I can eat one and freeze one!

Ingredients for Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion, garlic, and veggies. It adds flavor and helps everything soften before the broth goes in.
• White Onion: Builds the savory flavor base for the soup. Onions add natural sweetness and depth.
• Ground Beef: The hearty protein that makes this soup filling and comforting. Browning it first adds rich flavor. We use 90/10.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic savory notes that round out the broth.
• Carrots: Add sweetness, color, and texture while bringing natural balance to the savory beef.
• Celery: Contributes a mild, earthy flavor that pairs with onion and carrots for a classic soup base.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and adds richness and body to the broth.
• Russet Potatoes: Make the soup hearty and filling, while their starch helps naturally thicken the broth.

Ingredients continued…

• Beef Broth: The main liquid base, enhancing the beef flavor and tying all the ingredients together. You can also use water with beef bouillon.
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Add a smoky, tangy depth and little bursts of tomato flavor throughout the soup.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A splash of umami and tang that boosts the savory richness of the beef.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses the broth with a subtle earthy, herbal note while it simmers.
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Quick, convenient way to add more veggies, color, and nutrition without extra chopping. I like to find one that has corn, green beans, peas and carrots included.
• Italian Seasoning: A balanced blend of herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme) that gives the soup a warm, comforting flavor.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick and balances the richness of the beef.
• Fresh Parsley: Sprinkled at the end for freshness, color, and a bright finishing note.

How to Make Hearty Ground Beef Soup

1. Sauté: Heat a little oil in a dutch oven over medium heat, then add the onion, ground beef, carrots and celery until the beef is cooked through. Drain the excess fat.
2. Combine: Add the tomato paste and stir into the meat followed by the potatoes, broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning and bay leaf.
3. Simmer: Let the soup simmer for 10 minutes with a lid on.
4. Add: Now add in the remaining ingredients (except the parsley).
5. Simmer: Let the soup simmer for another 15-20 minutes.
6. Serve: Sprinkle each bowl with fresh chopped parsley and serve with some yummy crusty bread.

What to Serve with Hamburger Soup

While the soup is simmering, I like to prepare a quick salad which helps to lighten up the meal, while my mom would always slice up a loaf of french bread or even serve sandwich bread… yes, sandwich bread, it was the 90s. 😉 You could also make some quick dinner rolls to go with it.

FAQ

Storing and Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep for 4-5 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.

This is also a freezer-friendly soup recipe. Let the soup cool completely and pour it into a freezer safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat on the stovetop until heated through.

This ground beef vegetable soup with potatoes is the perfect mix of healthy and hearty. A simple recipe that’s freezer-friendly, budget-friendly, and always delicious!

Watch Our Video on How to Make Ground Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe

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