This is called ‘Busy Day Soup’ – It’s so tasty and easy, I whip it up whenever I don’t feel like cooking much
We all have those days when the thought of spending hours in the kitchen feels like a chore. When you’re short on time, but still want something warm, comforting, and homemade, this Busy Day Soup is your best friend. It’s simple, hearty, and absolutely delicious. This soup is perfect for when you want something quick, but you don’t want to sacrifice flavor. You can have it ready in less than 90 minutes and it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Here’s how I make this go-to meal when I’m craving something filling, yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
To make this Busy Day Soup, you don’t need a long list of
Ingredients
or a lot of prep time. Just a few basics that you probably already have in your pantry and freezer. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
1 pound ground beef (Or substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option) – This is the protein base that gives the soup its hearty, satisfying texture. You can easily swap the beef for something lighter or even a plant-based ground meat if you prefer!
28 ounces can diced tomatoes, undrained – This is the heart of the soup’s flavor. The tomatoes provide both the liquid base and a tangy sweetness that balances out the savory flavors.
1-2 cups mixed frozen vegetables – You can use whatever frozen veggies you have on hand, like peas, carrots, corn, or green beans. It makes it easy and convenient, and you don’t have to worry about chopping fresh veggies!
1 packet onion soup mix – This is the secret ingredient! It adds a deep, rich onion flavor that really elevates the broth, making the soup savory and satisfying with minimal effort.
5 cups water – The water is the base for the broth and helps everything cook together beautifully.
1 cup uncooked macaroni (or any pasta you prefer) – The pasta is what turns this soup into a filling, comforting meal. You can use any kind of pasta you like, whether it’s elbow macaroni, shells, or even spaghetti broken into small pieces.
Instructions
Making this Busy Day Soup is a breeze. You won’t have to fuss with complicated steps or
Ingredients
. Here’s how to whip up this simple and comforting meal:
1. Cook the Protein
Start by browning the 1 pound of ground beef in a large soup pot over medium heat. If you’re using turkey or chicken, just cook them until they’re fully browned and crumbled. Once the meat is cooked through, drain off any excess fat. This step helps ensure your soup isn’t greasy, just hearty and flavorful.
2. Simmer the Base
Once the meat is browned, it’s time to build the soup’s base. Add 5 cups of water, the packet of onion soup mix, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes. The tomatoes, with their juices, add a wonderful tang and depth to the soup. Stir everything together, bring it to a simmer, and let it cook on medium-low heat for about 1 hour. This simmering time allows the flavors to come together and meld into a savory, comforting broth.
3. Add Pasta and Vegetables
After the soup has simmered, it’s time to add the heartier
Ingredients
. Stir in your uncooked macaroni and frozen vegetables. Continue to cook for another 15 minutes on medium heat or until the pasta is tender and the veggies are heated through. You’ll love how the pasta soaks up all the flavors of the broth and the vegetables add a colorful crunch.
4. Serve
Once everything is cooked through and your soup is nice and hot, it’s time to serve up a big bowl. This soup is perfect on its own, but I love to serve it with some warm, crusty bread for dipping, or maybe a side salad to balance out the richness of the soup. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.
Notes
Customization: One of the best things about this Busy Day Soup is how easy it is to make it your own. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter soup. If you don’t have mixed frozen vegetables, you can use any frozen veggies you have on hand—corn, peas, or even spinach would work great. You can also change up the pasta shape, or even use a gluten-free variety if needed.
Vegetarian Option: Want to make this a vegetarian soup? No problem! Simply replace the ground meat with a plant-based protein like lentils or tempeh, or even just add more vegetables and beans for a hearty, meatless version.
Make It Spicy: If you like a little heat, feel free to add a dash of hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or even a chopped jalapeño when you’re simmering the soup. This will give it a nice, spicy kick that complements the savory flavors.
Freezer-Friendly: This soup makes for great leftovers and stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to a month—just make sure to leave out the pasta if you plan to freeze it, as pasta tends to get soft after freezing and reheating. Add fresh pasta when reheating instead.
Nutrition
Here’s a general
Nutrition
al breakdown for one serving of Busy Day Soup (this recipe makes about 6 servings):
Calories: 350 kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Fat: 12g
Sodium: 800mg
Sugar: 8g
This soup is hearty and filling, providing a good balance of protein and carbs to keep you satisfied. The fat content comes mainly from the ground beef, but you can reduce that by using leaner meat or swapping in turkey or chicken. With plenty of veggies, it’s a healthy, wholesome choice for a quick meal.
Additional Information
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A big thank you to the creator. 🤗
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