When the weather turns chilly, nothing beats a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe delivers on all fronts: it’s packed with flavor, incredibly satisfying, and wonderfully easy to make. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder brings simple, homemade goodness to your family table with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Hamburger Soup
You’ll quickly fall in love with this easy hamburger soup for many reasons. It’s a kitchen staple that truly embodies comfort and convenience.
- Effortless Preparation: This recipe comes together with minimal fuss, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Pantry Friendly: You likely have most of the ingredients already on hand, simplifying your grocery list.
- Family Favorite: Everyone at the table will enjoy this satisfying and flavorful soup.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for lunches throughout the week.
- Deep, Comforting Flavor: Each spoonful offers a rich, savory experience that warms you from the inside out.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or what you have on hand.
Ingredients
To make this delicious Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe, gather these fresh and pantry staples. The combination creates a rich, satisfying meal.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups)
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 cup frozen corn or peas, added in the last 5 minutes of cooking
Notes & Substitutions
Feel free to adapt this recipe to your liking. You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Mix and match vegetables like green beans, zucchini, or bell peppers. Chicken or vegetable broth works well if you don’t have beef broth. Fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can replace dried ones; use three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried. For a gluten-free version, ensure your beef broth is certified gluten-free.
Equipment
You don’t need much special equipment to whip up this comforting soup. A few kitchen basics will do the trick.
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (at least 6-quart capacity)
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula
- Ladle for serving
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own delightful Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe. It’s a straightforward process perfect for beginners.
First, heat the olive oil in your large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with your spoon, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pot and set the beef aside. This step is crucial for developing flavor in your hamburger soup.
To ensure food safety, it’s crucial to cook ground beef to the safe internal temperature for ground beef.
Next, reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté these vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Return the browned ground beef to the pot. Add the diced potatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), and crushed tomatoes. Pour in the beef broth. Season the mixture generously with Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together well, ensuring all ingredients are combined.
Bring the soup to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes. Continue simmering until the potatoes and carrots are fork-tender. If using optional frozen corn or peas, stir them in during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Finally, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or herbs. Serve your flavorful hamburger soup hot and enjoy this easy meal.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieve the best results with your hamburger soup by keeping a few tricks in mind. These tips ensure maximum flavor and ideal texture.
Maximize flavor by browning your ground beef thoroughly until it has a nice crust. Don’t overcrowd the pot; cook ingredients in batches if necessary for even browning. Always adjust seasoning during the simmering process, tasting as you go. For a thicker soup, mash a portion of the cooked potatoes directly in the pot before serving. To prevent mushy vegetables, add quick-cooking ones like peas or corn towards the end. If your soup tastes bland, add a pinch more salt, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, or a bit of beef bouillon.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe is perfect on its own, but also shines with simple accompaniments.
Serve your hot hamburger soup with a slice of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls for dipping. A light side salad makes a great fresh contrast to the rich soup. For a heartier meal, pair it with classic grilled cheese sandwiches. Store any leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This soup also freezes beautifully; transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop.
To vary this recipe, consider adding different vegetables like chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or green beans. For extra bulk, stir in cooked small pasta (like elbow macaroni) or rice during the last few minutes of simmering. A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese or a dollop of sour cream stirred in just before serving adds richness. For a bit of heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes with the other seasonings.
Nutrition Information
This Hearty Hamburger Soup is a nutritious, balanced meal. It provides significant protein from the ground beef, essential for muscle health. The array of vegetables contributes dietary fiber, promoting digestive wellness, along with important vitamins and minerals such like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.
The vegetables in this soup contribute to dietary fiber, which is known to support digestive health and offer various other benefits of dietary fiber.
While calorie density can vary, it offers sustained energy. Always remember that exact values depend on specific ingredients and portion sizes, so make choices that align with your dietary needs.
| Nutrient | Per Serving (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350-450 |
| Protein | 25-30g |
| Fat | 15-20g |
| Carbohydrates | 30-40g |
| Fiber | 5-7g |
| Sodium | 600-800mg |
FAQ
Can I freeze this hamburger soup?
Yes, this Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe freezes wonderfully. Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers for up to three months.
How long does it last in the refrigerator?
You can store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It’s perfect for meal prepping.
What other vegetables can I add?
Feel free to add bell peppers, green beans, or zucchini. Add them during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering to prevent them from becoming too soft.
How can I make the soup thicker?
For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked potatoes against the side of the pot. You can also mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the simmering soup.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey is an excellent leaner alternative. Follow the same cooking instructions for browning the meat.
Conclusion
This Hearty Hamburger Soup Recipe truly embodies comfort in a bowl. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and delivers a deeply satisfying meal that the whole family will adore. Don’t hesitate to make this flavorful, one-pot wonder part of your regular dinner rotation. Whip up a batch tonight, gather your loved ones around the table, and savor the warmth and deliciousness of homemade goodness. Enjoy every comforting spoonful!
