Description
Hearty hamburger soup with macaroni brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables with its rich, meaty broth and tender pasta. Packed with ground beef, vegetables, and satisfying flavors, you’ll find this simple one-pot meal perfect for chilly evenings and quick family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen or fresh green beans (optional)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 6 cups (1.5 L) beef broth
- 1 cup (250 ml) tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup (85 g) elbow macaroni (or other small pasta)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Protein Base: Warm olive oil in a capacious stockpot over medium temperature. Introduce ground beef, fragmenting it meticulously while cooking until a rich, caramel-brown color emerges. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatics release their fragrant essence and onions transform to translucent.
- Develop Soup Foundation: Pour in robust beef broth, diced tomatoes with their vibrant juices, and velvety tomato sauce. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, smoky paprika, kosher salt, and cracked pepper to elevate the flavor profile. Allow liquid to reach a gentle boil, then reduce to a tranquil simmer, permitting vegetables to tenderize and meld flavors.
- Integrate Hearty Elements: Introduce macaroni, crisp green beans, and sweet corn kernels into the simmering liquid. Monitor pasta’s transformation, ensuring it reaches perfect al dente consistency – tender yet maintaining subtle resistance. Assess seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to harmonize taste elements.
- Finalize and Present: Carefully ladle the steaming, robust soup into ceramic bowls. Embellish with delicate fresh parsley sprigs. Complement the dish with crusty artisan bread or a crisp, verdant salad for a complete, nourishing meal experience.
Notes
- Customize the meat to suit dietary needs by substituting ground beef with lean turkey, plant-based crumbles, or ground chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium beef broth and reducing added salt, making this soup friendly for heart-healthy diets.
- Boost vegetable content by adding extra veggies like zucchini, spinach, or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and create more texture.
- Enhance storage and meal prep potential by allowing the soup to cool completely before refrigerating, which helps flavors develop and allows for easy reheating throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg