Easy One-Pot Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Craving a warm, hearty meal that’s simple to make? This Hamburger Vegetable Soup is your answer! It’s packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavor, perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights. Best of all, it all comes together in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze. Get ready for a comforting, satisfying meal everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Vegetable Soup

This comforting ground beef and vegetable soup is a true lifesaver for busy home cooks. Here’s why it will become a family favorite:

• Quick and Easy Preparation: You can have this delicious soup ready on your table in under 40 minutes.
• Minimal One-Pot Cleanup: Everything cooks in a single pot, drastically cutting down on dishwashing.
• Budget-Friendly Ingredients: It uses common pantry staples and affordable fresh produce, keeping costs low.
• Perfect for Meal Prepping: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it ideal for lunches or dinners throughout the week.
• Warm and Satisfying Comfort Food: It’s a truly cozy dish that nourishes the body and soul, perfect for any season.

Ingredients

Creating this flavorful Hamburger Vegetable Soup requires simple, accessible ingredients. You’ll likely have many of these on hand already, which makes whipping up this hearty meal even easier. Let’s gather what you need:

• 1 pound ground beef: Using leaner ground beef, such as 93% lean, can help minimize excess fat, as detailed in these tips for reducing fat in ground beef.
• ½ cup chopped yellow onion: Adds a foundational savory note.
• 3 cloves garlic: Minced, fresh garlic offers the best flavor.
• 28 oz diced tomatoes: Canned, with their juices, for a rich tomato base.
• 3 cups frozen vegetables for soup: A convenient mix including corn, peas, carrots, green beans, and potatoes.
• 3 cups beef broth: Or beef stock, providing liquid and depth.
• 15 oz tomato sauce: Canned, to thicken and enhance the tomato flavor.
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning: A dried blend of herbs for classic savory notes.
• 1 tsp Beef Better Than Bouillon: Adds a concentrated, rich beefy essence.
• ¼ tsp kosher salt: To taste, enhancing all the flavors.
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper: For a touch of mild spice.
• ¼ tsp garlic powder: Boosts the garlic notes subtly.
• ¼ tsp onion powder: Deepens the overall savory profile.
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes: For a gentle hint of warmth and spice.
• 1 bay leaf: Infuses an aromatic, earthy note into the soup.
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley: Chopped, for a bright, fresh garnish.

Notes & Substitutions

You can easily customize this recipe to your preferences. For a milder flavor, use sweet onion or grate it finely for picky eaters. If you don’t have tomato sauce, substitute it with tomato paste diluted with an equal amount of water. Feel free to adjust the spices to match your personal taste.

Equipment

You don’t need much specialized gear to make this delicious beef and vegetable soup. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity.

• Large Dutch oven or soup pot: Essential for cooking everything in one go.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: For browning meat and stirring ingredients.
• Cutting board and knife: For preparing the onion and garlic.

Instructions

Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Hamburger Vegetable Soup. This one-pot method makes it incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks.

1. Brown the beef and aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, set over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped yellow onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned and the onion is softened. Ensure the beef juices run clear.
2. Drain excess fat (if needed): If you didn’t use lean ground beef, carefully drain any excess fat from the pot. This keeps your soup from being greasy.
3. Add all remaining ingredients: Stir in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice), the frozen mixed vegetables, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Add the Italian seasoning, Beef Better Than Bouillon, kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and the bay leaf.
4. Simmer to perfection: Bring the soup mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the vegetables to become tender.
5. Prepare for serving: Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf from the soup before serving. It has imparted its flavor and is no longer needed.
6. Garnish and serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Enjoy your homemade, hearty meal!

Slow Cooker Instructions

You can easily adapt this comforting Hamburger Vegetable Soup for your slow cooker.

1. Brown first: Brown the ground beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet on the stovetop.
2. Combine: Transfer the browned mixture to your slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients from the recipe.
3. Cook: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender and flavors have deepened.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Elevate your ground beef and vegetable soup with these expert tips, and learn how to fix common issues.

• Brown the beef well: Don’t rush this step. Thoroughly browning the ground beef before adding other ingredients creates a deeper, richer flavor base for your soup.
• Adjust seasonings: Taste your soup as it simmers. Feel free to add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to suit your preference. A pinch of sugar can balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Don’t overcook vegetables: Keep an eye on your frozen mixed vegetables. You want them tender-crisp, not mushy, so avoid simmering for too long past the recommended time.
• For thicker soup: If you prefer a heartier consistency, stir in a handful of small pasta like elbow macaroni or ditalini during the last 10 minutes of simmering. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry, then stir it into the simmering soup until thickened.
• Deepen the flavor: For an extra layer of complexity, add a splash of red wine (about ¼ cup) after browning the beef and before adding the tomatoes. Let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol.

Serving, Storage, & Variations

This versatile Hamburger Vegetable Soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions. It also stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve this hearty soup with warm, crusty bread, fluffy cornbread, or homemade biscuits for dipping.
• Top individual bowls with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for extra creaminess and flavor.

Storage

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover beef and vegetable soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. The flavors often deepen overnight.
• Freeze: For longer storage, freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Variations

• Add starches: Incorporate cooked pasta (like elbow macaroni), rice, barley, or farro directly into the pot during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, or serve over a bed of grain.
• Boost legumes: Stir in a can of rinsed kidney beans, cannellini beans, or even some red lentils for added protein and fiber.
• Change the protein: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this delicious soup.
• Introduce different vegetables: Feel free to add other favorites like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Umami kick: A dash of Worcestershire sauce (1-2 teaspoons) can add a fantastic savory depth to the soup.

Nutrition

This Hamburger Vegetable Soup offers a balanced and wholesome meal option. It provides a good source of protein, along with essential vitamins and dietary fiber from the generous amount of vegetables. For more information on how fruits and vegetables contribute to overall health, consult research from the National Institutes of Health. The following nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about making this delightful Hamburger Vegetable Soup.

Do you need to drain hamburger meat for soup?
Yes, if you use ground beef with a higher fat content (like 80/20), it is best to drain the excess fat after browning. Leaner ground beef (90% or higher) often doesn’t require draining.

Is browning the hamburger necessary for soup?
Absolutely! Browning the ground beef is crucial for developing a rich, savory flavor base for your soup. It enhances the taste significantly compared to adding raw meat directly.

Can fresh vegetables be used instead of frozen?
Certainly! You can use an equivalent amount of fresh chopped vegetables like carrots, potatoes, green beans, and corn. Just adjust cooking times as fresh vegetables may take slightly longer to become tender.

How can I make this soup spicier?
To increase the heat, simply add more red pepper flakes, or incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other seasonings. You can also garnish with a dash of hot sauce when serving.

Can this soup be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, this soup is fantastic for making ahead! It reheats beautifully and the flavors often deepen overnight, making it perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner later.

Conclusion

This Easy One-Pot Hamburger Vegetable Soup is truly a winner, combining hearty flavors with incredible convenience. It’s comforting, nourishing, and so simple to make, proving that delicious meals don’t have to be complicated. Give this recipe a try tonight and discover your new go-to family favorite. We’d love to hear how it turned out! Please share your comments and ratings below.

Easy One-Pot Hamburger Vegetable Soup

This easy one-pot hamburger vegetable soup is a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Loaded with ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a rich tomato broth, it comes together in under an hour.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 27 minutes mins

Total Time 42 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 350

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (93% lean)
• ½ cup yellow onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 28 oz diced tomatoes (canned with juice)
• 3 cups frozen vegetables for soup (includes corn, peas, tomatoes, carrots, green beans, and potatoes)
• 3 cups beef broth (or stock)
• 15 oz tomato sauce (can)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp Beef Better Than Bouillon
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

• Large pot

Method

 

Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the beef is cooked through.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, frozen vegetables, beef broth, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, Beef Better Than Bouillon, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf to the pot.
3. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Carefully remove and discard the bay leaf from the soup.
5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

This soup is perfect for meal prep; it tastes even better the next day. Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, like zucchini or spinach.