The humble hamburger soup brings together the richness of ground beef and the sweetness of seasonal vegetables for a meal that comforts with every spoonful. It’s simple, affordable, and tastes like a dish that’s been slow-cooked all day—yet it’s ready in just 40 minutes.
This recipe is extremely versatile—perfect for using up pantry veggies, tweaking with pasta, or even transforming into a cheesy version by stirring in shredded cheddar at the end. Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping meals for the week, this one-pot wonder is sure to warm both hearts and bellies.
Full Recipe:
-
1 to 1 1/3 pounds ground beef
-
1 cup diced yellow onion (about 1 small onion)
-
2 stalks celery, diced
-
2 large carrots, diced
-
1 sweet bell pepper, seeded and diced
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
-
2 tablespoons tomato paste
-
1 teaspoon dried oregano
-
1/2 teaspoon salt
-
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
2 cups beef broth
-
1/2 cup red wine (optional, can substitute with tomato juice or broth with a splash of vinegar)
-
1 cup elbow macaroni (optional)
Directions:
-
In a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into chunks with a spoon. When fully browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
-
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of rendered fat (or add olive oil if needed).
-
Add onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
-
Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
-
Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, and red wine (if using). Stir in the cooked ground beef.
-
Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
-
If using macaroni, stir it in after 10 minutes of simmering and continue cooking until tender.
-
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty garlic bread or a sprinkle of cheese if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 331 kcal | Servings: 4–6 servings
A Deep Dive Into Hamburger Vegetable Soup
Hamburger Vegetable Soup is one of those comforting classics that feels like a warm hug on a cold evening. It’s humble, nutritious, and surprisingly versatile, making it a favorite among families, meal-preppers, and anyone looking for a quick, hearty meal that satisfies without demanding too much time or effort. While it’s simple in ingredients, it delivers big on flavor, and that’s why it has earned a spot in the hearts—and kitchens—of home cooks across the world.
A Nod to Nostalgia and Home-Cooked Comfort
For many, this soup is reminiscent of childhood memories—mom or grandma ladling out steaming bowls at the dinner table. That’s because hamburger vegetable soup has long been a staple in American home kitchens, cherished not just for its rich taste but for its resourcefulness. Ground beef is often more affordable than other cuts of meat, and its ability to take on flavor makes it ideal for a dish where vegetables, tomatoes, and spices meld into something greater than the sum of their parts.
The beauty of this soup lies in its balance. The richness of the beef is complemented by the brightness of diced tomatoes and the sweetness of bell peppers and carrots. There’s a familiar earthiness that makes this dish feel wholesome—like something you’d crave after a long day or when you’re in need of a little soul food.
The One-Pot Wonder for Busy Lives
One of the most appealing aspects of hamburger vegetable soup is how convenient it is to make. Everything comes together in one pot, minimizing clean-up and maximizing flavor. It’s perfect for weeknights when time is limited but you still want to sit down to a nourishing, satisfying meal. Unlike many soups that require hours of simmering, this version can be ready in as little as 40 minutes while still tasting like it was slow-cooked all day.
Its simplicity doesn’t mean it’s boring—quite the opposite. Cooking the vegetables in the rendered fat from the beef adds layers of savory richness, and finishing with beef broth and tomatoes rounds out the soup with depth and heartiness. Optional additions like pasta or shredded cheese let you make it your own.
Flexible and Adaptable to What You Have
This recipe is highly adaptable to whatever ingredients you have in your kitchen or pantry. The standard version uses onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and garlic—but it welcomes variations. Have a potato that needs using? Dice it and toss it in. A half-bag of frozen green beans or peas lingering in the freezer? Add them. You can even throw in canned beans like kidney or black beans for extra fiber and protein.
The ability to customize this soup makes it great for reducing food waste. It’s the kind of dish that thrives on creativity and encourages home cooks to work with what they’ve got, which makes it feel less like a strict recipe and more like a forgiving framework.
Ideal for Meal Prep and Freezer-Friendly
Another reason this soup is a go-to in many households is its incredible meal-prep value. It stores beautifully in the fridge for up to five days, making it a great option for leftovers or grab-and-go lunches. It also freezes exceptionally well. Once cooled, you can portion it into containers or freezer bags and have hearty, homemade soup ready to reheat on busy nights or when illness strikes.
Its consistency holds up after thawing, especially if you avoid adding pasta before freezing. If you plan to freeze a batch, you can always cook the macaroni separately and add it later to avoid it turning mushy.
Wholesome and Family-Approved
Despite being deeply comforting, hamburger vegetable soup is surprisingly balanced nutritionally. It offers a healthy dose of protein from the beef, fiber and vitamins from the veggies, and a modest amount of healthy fats. It’s filling without being heavy, making it an ideal dinner option for all ages—from toddlers to grandparents.
Kids especially love this soup, thanks to the familiar flavors and soft textures. Parents appreciate that they can sneak in extra vegetables without protest. The slightly sweet bell peppers, tender carrots, and savory broth are approachable even for picky eaters.
Great Flavor with Minimal Ingredients
One of the secrets to this soup’s bold flavor is the way it builds taste in layers. Browning the beef first creates a flavorful base. Cooking the vegetables in the rendered fat adds depth. Stirring in tomato paste and garlic at the right moment enhances umami and aroma. Then, simmering it all together with beef broth allows the ingredients to meld beautifully.
If you opt to add a splash of red wine, it gives the soup a subtle richness that elevates it to something more elegant. On the flip side, you can easily omit the wine and use extra broth or a splash of vinegar and still get a deeply satisfying result.
Turn It Into Something New
Once you’ve made this soup once, you might find yourself tempted to experiment. And you should. You can turn it into a “cheeseburger soup” by adding shredded cheddar at the end and topping it with a few pickles or a dollop of sour cream. Or lean into Tex-Mex flavors by adding chili powder, black beans, and corn, and topping it with crushed tortilla chips and avocado.
These twists let you take one base recipe and reimagine it in several different ways, keeping things fresh and exciting without needing to reinvent your grocery list.
Budget-Friendly Without Sacrificing Quality
One of the reasons hamburger vegetable soup has stood the test of time is its affordability. It proves that you don’t need an expensive cut of meat or a long list of specialty items to make something deeply flavorful and satisfying. Ground beef, a few basic vegetables, and pantry staples are all you need to feed a crowd.
For those cooking on a budget or trying to stretch their dollars further, this soup is a smart, comforting solution. Even with the optional additions of wine or cheese, it still clocks in as a cost-effective meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Perfect for Every Season
Though we often think of soup as a cold-weather dish, this hamburger vegetable soup is light enough to enjoy year-round. Its vibrant veggies and tomato-based broth make it suitable even in spring and early fall when you’re craving something warm but not heavy. Pair it with a fresh salad or some crusty bread and you’ve got a meal that works in any season.
During winter, it’s especially comforting—ideal for snow days, busy holiday weeks, or anytime you need a big pot of something cozy and nourishing to warm you from the inside out.
Conclusion: A Bowl Full of Comfort, Simplicity, and Tradition
Hamburger Vegetable Soup may not be flashy or gourmet, but that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s the kind of meal that reminds us of the power of simplicity. With minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking methods, it delivers warmth, flavor, and nourishment in every spoonful.
It’s a dish that brings families together, uses what you already have, and feeds your body and your soul. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, stocking your freezer, or just trying to make dinner on a Tuesday night a little easier, this soup has your back.
So the next time you’re wondering what to make that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and delicious—reach for this recipe. It might just become your new favorite go-to.