Hamburger Soup: Comfort in a Bowl

🍲 Hamburger Soup: Comfort in a Bowl 🍖🥕

This Hamburger Soup is a dish that delivers both comfort and flavor in every spoonful. Packed with tender ground beef, a medley of fresh vegetables, and small pasta shells, this soup is perfect for chilly evenings, a family dinner, or as a hearty meal to share with friends. The combination of savory ingredients with a rich tomato broth makes this soup a family favorite. Whether you’re cooking for two or a crowd, this recipe is both satisfying and easy to prepare, making it a must-have in your recipe rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Soup

What makes this soup so special is its simplicity. With just a handful of pantry staples and some fresh ingredients, you can create a rich, flavorful dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. The balance of flavors in this soup is unbeatable—savory, slightly tangy, and wonderfully comforting. The pasta shells soak up the rich broth, and the beef adds that perfect meaty base. Plus, the carrots, celery, and onions bring a touch of sweetness and freshness to every bite.

This soup is ideal for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. It’s a one-pot wonder, which means less clean-up for you!

Ingredients for Hamburger Soup 🥄

To make this easy and delicious Hamburger Soup, here’s everything you’ll need:

1 ½ lb lean ground beef 🍖
1 sweet onion, diced 🧅
1 can diced tomatoes (28 oz) 🍅
1 cup water 💧
3 cans consomme (10 oz / 284 ml cans) 🍲
1 can tomato soup (10 oz / 284 ml) 🍜
3 celery stalks, diced 🌿
4 carrots, peeled and diced 🥕
½ tsp dried thyme 🌱
2 cups small pasta shells (uncooked) 🍝
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂

How to Make Hamburger Soup 🥣

Step 1: Brown the Beef
Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions. Use a spoon to break up the beef as it cooks. Stir the beef occasionally, making sure it gets fully browned. Cooking the beef with the onions adds flavor and helps to create a rich, savory base for the soup. Continue cooking for about 5-7 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft and translucent.

Step 2: Add the Remaining Ingredients
Once the beef is browned and the onions have softened, it’s time to add the rest of the ingredients. Pour in the diced tomatoes, including their juice, along with the water, consomme, and tomato soup. Stir everything to combine. The consomme adds a deep, savory flavor to the broth, making it rich and satisfying. Add the diced celery, carrots, and dried thyme. Stir again to mix the veggies and seasonings evenly into the broth.

Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Bring the soup to a boil over high heat. Once it’s boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and let the soup simmer gently. Simmering is key because it allows the flavors to blend and meld together. Stir occasionally and let the soup cook for about 40 minutes. During this time, the vegetables will soften, the pasta will cook through, and the broth will become more flavorful. Be sure to taste the soup before it’s done, and add salt and pepper as needed to balance the flavors.

Step 4: Add the Pasta
After 40 minutes of simmering, it’s time to add the small pasta shells. These pasta shells will soak up the soup’s broth, making each bite flavorful and satisfying. Stir the pasta into the soup, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Let the soup simmer for another 10-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender and cooked through. If you prefer your pasta a little firmer, you can adjust the cooking time to suit your taste.

Step 5: Season and Serve
Once the pasta is cooked, taste the soup again. If it needs a little more salt or pepper, this is the perfect time to season it. Once everything is to your liking, serve the soup hot and enjoy!

Pro Tips for Perfect Hamburger Soup 🥄

1. Brown the Beef Well
When browning the ground beef, be sure to cook it thoroughly until it’s browned and caramelized. This extra step brings out a rich, deep flavor that will enhance the overall taste of the soup. Don’t rush this step!

2. Use Canned Consomme
Canned consomme is a secret ingredient in this soup. It’s more concentrated than regular broth, giving the soup a fuller, more savory flavor. If you can’t find consomme, you can substitute with beef broth or chicken broth, but the taste will be a little different.

3. Add More Vegetables
Feel free to get creative with the vegetables you add to this soup. You can add peas, corn, or green beans for extra color and nutrition. The more vegetables you add, the more texture and flavor your soup will have!

4. Pasta Alternatives
Small pasta shells are ideal for this recipe, but you can also use elbow macaroni, ditalini, or any small pasta shape you have on hand. Just make sure the pasta is small so it can absorb the flavors of the soup.

5. Make It Ahead of Time
Like many soups, this Hamburger Soup tastes even better the next day! Making it ahead allows the flavors to deepen and meld together. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

6. Freezing Tips
This soup freezes very well. If you have leftovers or want to make a big batch to save for later, let the soup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stove.

What to Serve With Hamburger Soup 🍞

While this soup is hearty on its own, you can serve it with a variety of sides to make the meal even more satisfying. Here are a few options:

Crusty Bread 🍞
A slice of toasted bread or a baguette works perfectly for dipping into the rich, flavorful broth of the soup. You can even spread a little butter on the bread for an extra treat.
Cheese Sandwiches 🧀
Grilled cheese sandwiches pair wonderfully with this soup. The melty cheese and crispy bread complement the hearty soup perfectly. For extra flavor, try using a mix of sharp cheddar and mozzarella.
Side Salad 🥗
A simple side salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette adds a nice contrast to the warm, filling soup. The freshness of the salad helps balance the richness of the soup.
Garlic Bread 🧄🍞
If you want to add a little more flavor, garlic bread is always a winning option. Its buttery, garlicky taste adds an extra dimension to the meal.

Storage Tips

Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: If you want to freeze the soup, make sure it’s completely cooled before transferring it to an airtight container. This will prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming. When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove.