Description
Busy Day Soup is a comforting and hearty recipe that combines savory ground beef, a flavorful onion soup mix, diced tomatoes, and tender macaroni with mixed vegetables. This one-pot meal simmers slowly to meld the flavors perfectly, making it a convenient and satisfying dish ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Liquids and Soups
- 6 cups water
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 cup uncooked macaroni noodles
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat to keep the soup from becoming greasy.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the 6 cups of water, add the onion soup mix, and the canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir everything to combine well, then bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer to Blend Flavors: Maintain the soup at medium-low heat and let it simmer for 1 hour. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully and enrich the broth.
- Add Pasta and Vegetables: After simmering, stir in the uncooked macaroni noodles and frozen mixed vegetables directly from the freezer. Cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the noodles and vegetables are tender to the bite.
- Season to Taste: Taste the soup and season it with salt and pepper according to your preference, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- Serve Hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately, optionally accompanied by crackers or fresh bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Use low-sodium onion soup mix to reduce the salt content.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra freshness.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute macaroni with a gluten-free pasta variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
