wWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With minimal preparation and simple ingredients, this soup comes together effortlessly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Hearty and Filling: The combination of ground beef, pasta, and vegetables ensures a satisfying meal that will keep you full and energized.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable to what you have on hand—swap the ground beef for turkey or chicken, use different types of pasta, or add your favorite vegetables.
- Family-Friendly: Its comforting flavors and textures appeal to both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion soup mix
- Mixed frozen vegetables
- Diced tomatoes with juice
- Water
- Uncooked macaroni
Directions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Base Ingredients: Pour in the water, onion soup mix, and diced tomatoes along with their juice. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Let it cook gently for about 1 hour, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Incorporate Pasta and Vegetables: Add the uncooked macaroni and mixed frozen vegetables to the pot. Stir well.
- Cook Until Tender: Continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the vegetables are heated through.
- Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and enjoy immediately.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
- Preparation Time: About 10 minutes.
- Cooking Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Total Time: Roughly 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Variations
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Pasta Options: Use any small pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or penne.
- Vegetable Additions: Incorporate fresh vegetables such as diced zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Herb Enhancements: Stir in fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme towards the end of cooking for added freshness.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Note that the texture of the pasta may become softer upon thawing.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. If the soup has thickened, add a splash of water or broth to reach the desired consistency.
FAQs
What can I use instead of onion soup mix?
If you don’t have onion soup mix, you can sauté a diced onion with minced garlic and add a teaspoon of salt to replicate the flavor.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, after browning the ground beef, transfer it to a slow cooker along with the other ingredients except for the pasta. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Add the pasta during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Absolutely, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of water. You can add more vegetables or include plant-based protein alternatives like lentils or beans.
How can I prevent the pasta from becoming mushy in leftovers?
To avoid mushy pasta, you can cook the pasta separately and add it to individual servings. Alternatively, undercook the pasta slightly if you anticipate having leftovers.
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh vegetables can be used. Add them at the same time as the pasta and cook until they are tender.
What type of ground beef is best for this recipe?
A lean ground beef (such as 90% lean) is ideal to reduce excess fat, but any ground beef can be used as long as you drain the fat after browning.
How can I add more flavor to the soup?
Enhance the flavor by adding Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, or additional herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves.
Is it okay to use canned vegetables?
Yes, canned vegetables can be used. Be sure to drain and rinse them before adding to the soup to reduce excess sodium.
Can I substitute the macaroni with a gluten-free pasta?
Certainly, gluten-free pasta can be used. Be mindful of the cooking time, as gluten-free pasta may cook faster and can become mushy if overcooked.
How can I make the soup creamier?
For a creamier texture, stir in a splash of heavy cream or milk towards the end of cooking. You can also add a dollop of sour
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Quick Beef Macaroni Veggie Soup
- Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Busy Day Soup is the ultimate comfort food for hectic days. This hearty soup features ground beef, tender pasta, and mixed vegetables in a savory tomato-based broth, making it a quick, satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s versatile enough to customize with different proteins, pasta types, and vegetables. Whether you’re feeding the family or need a simple dinner solution, this soup is a hit with both kids and adults!
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Onion soup mix
- Mixed frozen vegetables
- Diced tomatoes with juice
- Water
- Uncooked macaroni
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Base Ingredients: Stir in water, onion soup mix, and diced tomatoes with their juice.
- Simmer: Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Let cook for about 1 hour to meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Pasta and Vegetables: Add macaroni and mixed frozen vegetables. Stir well.
- Cook Until Tender: Cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender and vegetables are heated.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy!
Notes
- To make the soup spicier, add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- You can substitute ground beef with turkey, chicken, or sausage.
- Fresh vegetables like zucchini or spinach can be used in place of frozen vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
