Busy Day Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef and Noodles Recipe
Busy Day Soup is a hearty and comforting dish packed with seasoned ground beef, a medley of vegetables, and tender elbow pasta noodles, all simmered together in a flavorful low-sodium vegetable broth. This easy-to-make soup is perfect for busy weeknights and makes a satisfying meal for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean, 7% fat)
- 1 packet onion mushroom soup mix (1.8-ounce, Lipton brand recommended)
- 2 cups water, room temperature
- 4 cups (1 quart) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 15.25 ounces whole kernel corn, drained
- 14.5 ounces cut green beans, drained
- 14.5 ounces peas and carrots, drained
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes, in juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ pound dry elbow pasta noodles (8 ounces)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large 6 to 8 quart stockpot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the lean ground beef and brown it for 5 to 6 minutes or until no pink remains, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Prepare soup mix: In a separate bowl, combine the onion mushroom soup mix packet with 2 cups of room temperature water. Stir to hydrate the onions and spices, then add this mixture to the pot with the browned and drained ground beef.
- Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the low-sodium vegetable broth, then add the drained whole kernel corn, cut green beans, peas and carrots, petite diced tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together.
- Simmer the soup: Reduce heat to medium and let the soup simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to allow flavors to meld and prevent sticking.
- Cook the noodles: Add the dry elbow pasta noodles to the simmering soup and stir. Cook for 10 to 13 minutes, stirring every few minutes to keep the noodles from sticking together. Once the noodles are tender and fully cooked, turn off the heat.
Notes
- Be sure to drain excess fat after browning the beef for a leaner soup.
- Stir frequently during noodle cooking to prevent clumping.
- This soup can be reheated well and often tastes better the next day as flavors deepen.
- Use low-sodium broth to better control the saltiness of the soup.
- Variations can include adding other vegetables like celery or bell peppers for more texture and flavor.
