This Ground Beef Soup is one of my absolute favorite things to make when the weather gets chilly.
It’s hearty, flavorful, and just so comforting.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
The best part? It’s super easy to whip up!
This recipe creates a rich, savory soup packed with ground beef, tender vegetables, and a flavorful broth. It’s a classic, simple dish that’s truly satisfying.
Recipe Overview: Ground Beef Soup
This soup is all about building layers of flavor. We start by browning the ground beef, which adds a deep, savory note. Then, we sauté the vegetables to bring out their sweetness.
Everything simmers together in a delicious broth, creating a soup that’s both hearty and comforting.
It is the perfect meal for chilly evenings. It also reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep.
Serve it with a side of crusty bread for dipping, or a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on top.
Detailed Ingredients for Ground Beef Soup
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious soup:
- Ground Beef: 1 pound. I usually use lean ground beef (like 90% lean), but you can use whatever you prefer. Just be sure to drain off any excess grease after browning.
- Onion: 1 medium, diced. Yellow or white onion works best.
- Carrots: 2 medium, peeled and diced.
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is best, but you can use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in a pinch.
- Beef Broth: 6 cups. You can use store-bought or homemade. If using store-bought, I recommend low-sodium so you can control the saltiness.
- Diced Tomatoes: One 14.5-ounce can, undrained. This adds a nice acidity and sweetness to the soup.
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons. This adds a richer, deeper tomato flavor.
- Potatoes: 1 pound, peeled and diced. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work well.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon. This blend of dried herbs adds a classic Italian flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste. Remember, you can always add more later, so start with a small amount.
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon. For sautéing the vegetables.
Substitutions:
- Feel free to swap out the vegetables for your favorites. Green beans, corn, or peas would all be delicious additions.
- If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Ground Beef Soup
Let’s get cooking!
- Brown the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly. They should be starting to get tender, but not completely cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – it should just be lightly golden.
- Stir in Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. This helps to deepen the flavor.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (undrained). Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
- Taste and Adjust: Once the potatoes are cooked, taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want to add a bit more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.
Variations & Tips for the Best Ground Beef Soup
- Make it Creamy: For a creamier soup, stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Add Some Spice: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Make it Ahead: This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Storage: Let the soup cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Serving Suggestions: As I mentioned, this soup is wonderful with crusty bread. A grilled cheese sandwich is also a fantastic pairing!
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 35 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Equipment you’ll need: Large pot or Dutch oven, cutting board, knife.
Ground Beef Soup
Hearty and flavorful Ground Beef Soup packed with ground beef, tender vegetables, and a savory broth. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups beef broth
- 14.5- ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it's fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften slightly.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
- Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes (undrained). Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Add the diced potatoes to the pot.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings as needed. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
