Busy Day Soup – Indulge in the heartwarming taste of our Busy Day Soup. A perfect blend of savory beef, aromatic tomatoes, and fulfilling pasta creates a delightful symphony of flavors. This American chef-d’oeuvre is your ticket to a scrumptious meal, especially when you’re short on time.
The first time I made this Busy Day Soup, I was, unsurprisingly, swamped with work and mom duties. It was one of those days where every tick of the clock seemed louder than the last. I needed something quick, yet nutritious, for dinner. As the soup simmered, its comforting aroma filled my kitchen, turning my hectic day around. And the verdict? My husband, being his typical food critic self, gave it two thumbs up! Our little one? Let’s just say her empty bowl spoke volumes.
What makes this Busy Day Soup truly special?
The Busy Day Soup is a true lifesaver when you’re pressed for time, ready to serve in just 40 minutes. Its hearty mixture of mixed vegetables and lean beef guarantees a wholesome meal that doesn’t compromise on health. And its protean nature means you can customize it to your heart’s content, whether you’re counting a new veggie or switching up the protein.
What You Need To Make This Busy Day Soup Recipe?
Olive Oil: Not just any oil, but the backbone of Mediterranean cuisine. It’s known to elevate dishes with its rich, fruity notes. Choosing extra virgin is like treating your soup to a premium touch.
80/20 Ground Beef: This specific ratio is the unsung hero in the meat world. It promises juiciness with every bite, yet ensures the soup doesn’t become overly greasy.
Dry Onion Soup Mix: A humble packet, but a culinary game-changer! This mix isn’t just for convenience; it’s a symphony of flavors compressed into one, cutting down your seasoning time by half.
Low Sodium Beef Broth: Think of this as the canvas for our soup masterpiece. It brings depth and umami, but its low sodium nature ensures the salt doesn’t steal the show.
Diced Tomatoes with Juice: This duo plays two roles. The diced pieces add texture, while the juice injects a tangy richness, making the soup vibrant and full-bodied.
Frozen Mixed Vegetables: The unsung heroes that boost the nutrient quotient without compromising taste. Their frozen nature locks in freshness, ensuring you get a garden-fresh taste in every spoonful.
Elbow Macaroni: More than just pasta, it’s the soul of this soup. It soaks up all the flavors, turning from plain pasta pieces to delightful flavor bombs.
Steps To Make Busy Day Soup:
Step 1: Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot. Feel the warmth? That’s your cue to add in the ground beef.
Step 2: Now, here’s the fun part. As the beef sizzles, break it apart with a spoon. Watch as it turns from pink to perfectly brown.
Step 3: Wave away any extra fat – we won’t be needing that. Now, sprinkle your dry onion soup mix over the beef, giving it a good stir.
Step 4: Pour in that rich beef broth, followed by the diced tomatoes and their flavorful juice. Add in the mixed veggies. Stir and let the magic happen.
Step 5: Once it’s boiling, toss in the elbow pasta. Let it dance in the pot for about 10 minutes.
Step 6: Done? Remove from the heat. Serve up bowls of this comforting soup and don’t forget the Parmesan cheese for that finishing touch!
Tip:
Looking to enhance the flavors in your Busy Day Soup? Once you’ve browned the beef and before adding the broth give the pot a splash of wine to deglaze it. This step not only helps scrape up all those caramelized bits, from the bottom (hello flavor boost!) but it also adds a subtle depth and complexity, to the soup’s base. It pairs well with the beef and tomatoes too! Just make sure to let it simmer for a minute or two so that any alcohol cooks off before moving on to the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I substitute the beef with another protein?
Unquestionably! Chicken or turkey would work well as replacements. Just make sure to modify the cooking time consequently.
How do I store the leftover soup?
To hold it fresh store the soup in an airtight container. Refrigerate it. You’ll find that it tastes better the following day!
Is there a vegetarian version of the Busy Day Soup?
Absolutely! If you skip the beef and supersede it with vegetable broth you can still relish a vegetarian version. Additionally, consider counting tofu or beans for a protein boost.
Busy Day Soup
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Busy Day Soup is the culinary embrace you didn’t know you needed on a bustling day. It artfully marries the robustness of 80/20 ground beef with the aromatic whispers of a carefully chosen onion soup mix. As you dive into its depths, the tang of diced tomatoes mingles with farm-fresh mixed vegetables, while elbow macaroni dances, absorbing the rich, flavorful broth.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb. 80/20 ground beef
1 oz. package dry onion soup mix
4 c low sodium beef broth
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, with their juice
1 (12 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables
1 c dried elbow macaroni
Topping:
Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Start by heating some olive oil in a pot. Once it’s hot add the ground beef. Cook it until it turns brown.
If there’s any fat drain it off. Then mix in the onion soup package.
Next pour, in the beef broth along with the tomatoes and their juice as well as the frozen vegetables. Bring everything to a boil.
Now stir in the elbow macaroni. Let it cook until it becomes tender, which usually takes 10 minutes.
Finally, serve this dish while it’s still hot and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top if you like.
Notes
For those on a gluten-free journey, fear not; this heartwarming Busy Day Soup can still be a comforting companion on your table. Swap out the regular elbow macaroni with a gluten-free version available in most health stores or online. Ensure your dry onion soup mix is labeled gluten-free as some may contain hidden gluten. Always be keen on reading ingredient labels, as gluten can often lurk in unexpected places. With these simple tweaks, you can indulge in this soup’s comforting embrace without the gluten baggage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
My name is Natasha and I am the owner of nodashofgluten.com, a blog dedicated to all kinds of recipes. On my website, you can find classic dishes, vegetarian delights, creative snacks, Gluten-free recipes, and desserts – all proving that cooking isn’t as hard as it seems! With easy-to-follow instructions and tips on how to make your meals even better, I strive to help everyone become master chefs in their own kitchen. Come join me at nodashofgluten.com for some delicious fun!
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