Description
Busy Day Soup is a hearty and comforting American-style soup packed with ground beef, vegetables, beans, and pasta. Perfect for quick dinners, this flavorful soup combines pantry staples and cooks easily on the stovetop, making it ideal for busy days or meal prepping. It’s flexible, freezer-friendly, and nutritious, offering a balanced meal rich in protein and fiber.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can mixed vegetables (undrained)
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids and Pasta
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup elbow macaroni or small pasta
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Aromatics: In a large soup pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat to keep the soup from being greasy.
- Add Vegetables, Beans, and Broth: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned mixed vegetables with their liquid, rinsed beans, and beef broth. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Season the Soup: Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to blend the seasonings throughout the soup base.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the elbow macaroni or small pasta to the pot. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom, until the pasta is tender.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste the soup and adjust any seasonings as needed. Serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian option.
- Frozen mixed vegetables can be used instead of canned; add a bit more broth if needed.
- This soup reheats well and freezes nicely. To freeze, omit the pasta and add it fresh when reheating to maintain texture.
