Description

Busy Day Soup is a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for quick and comforting dinners. Ground beef, diced tomatoes, and mixed vegetables simmer together with onion soup mix and macaroni noodles, creating a delicious soup that melds savory flavors with satisfying textures. Ideal for feeding a family or prepping meals ahead, this soup is easy to make and warms you up on any busy day.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
6 cups water
1 packet onion soup mix
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
1 cup uncooked macaroni noodles
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large soup pot, heat over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook it thoroughly until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Once done, drain any excess fat carefully to reduce grease in the soup.
Add Soup Base: Pour in the 6 cups of water, then stir in the onion soup mix and canned diced tomatoes along with their juices. Mix well to combine all the flavors and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Simmer to Develop Flavor: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer gently for 1 hour. This slow simmering helps the flavors meld together and enriches the broth with the beef and vegetables’ essence.
Add Noodles and Vegetables: After an hour, add the uncooked macaroni noodles and frozen mixed vegetables directly into the pot. Continue cooking for about 15 minutes until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Season to Taste: Taste the soup and season it with salt and pepper according to your preference, balancing the flavors to your liking.
Serve Hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. Complement with crackers or slices of crusty bread for a fulfilling meal.

Notes

You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
For extra flavor, add minced garlic or herbs like thyme or parsley while simmering.
If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the water slightly or add a slurry of cornstarch and water near the end of cooking.
Frozen mixed vegetables can be replaced with fresh diced veggies according to season and preference.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.