Comforting Creamy Beef and Tomato Soup
This Comforting Creamy Beef and Tomato Soup is basically like a big, cozy hug on a chilly day. It’s got all the good stuff—hearty ground beef, a rich tomato base, and that little extra magic from the cream cheese that makes it so smooth and creamy. And the best part? It’s crazy easy to whip up in under 40 minutes. The pasta soaks up all the flavors, so every bite feels satisfying and comforting, like you’ve been cooking all day, even though you haven’t. It’s one of those meals that just hits the spot when you need something warm and comforting.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or swap it with Italian sausage if you want a kick
- 1 small yellow onion diced (about 1 c)
- 1 clove garlic minced (about 1 tsp)
- 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce
- 4 c chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar totally optional, but it adds a nice touch
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp kosher salt plus more if you need to adjust the taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes to taste (optional, if you like a little heat)
- 1 c about 3½ - 4 oz uncooked small pasta (think shells, elbow macaroni, ditalini, or even those fun mini wagon wheels)
- 4 oz cream cheese cut into cubes and softened at room temp
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh basil or parsley; freshly grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Grab a big soup pot or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high. Toss in the ground beef and diced onion, and let them cook together until the beef is browned and the onion turns soft and translucent—this should take about 5-7 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and stir it around for another minute until it smells amazing. Go ahead and drain off any of that extra grease—no one wants a greasy soup, right?
- Now, stir in your marinara sauce, broth, tomato sauce, brown sugar, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Give it all a good stir, then bring it to a gentle simmer.
- Once it’s simmering, add your pasta. Let it cook until it’s al dente, following the time on the pasta package. Make sure to give it a stir every now and then to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot, and adjust the heat as needed to keep that nice gentle simmer going.
- When the pasta’s ready, take the pot off the heat. Drop in the cubes of softened cream cheese and whisk it in until the soup turns all creamy and smooth, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
- Spoon the soup into bowls, and if you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some fresh herbs or grated Parmesan on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Making this soup gluten-free is super easy! All you need to do is swap out the regular pasta for a gluten-free variety. There are so many great options these days—gluten-free shells, macaroni, you name it! Just pick your favorite. Also, double-check your marinara sauce and broth, since some brands sneak in gluten where you least expect it. But other than that, you’re good to go. With those simple swaps, you can still enjoy all the creamy, comforting goodness of this soup without a second thought.