Hearty & Wholesome: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Hamburger Macaroni Soup Recipe
There’s a comforting warmth that only a classic bowl of soup can bring, and when it comes to quick, satisfying, and incredibly budget-friendly meals, **Hamburger Macaroni Soup** stands out as an undeniable family favorite. This beloved dish takes simple, staple ingredients and transforms them into a rich, hearty, and utterly satisfying meal in less than 30 minutes. It’s the kind of nostalgic, wholesome soup that many of us grew up with, and for good reason.
This isn’t just any soup; it’s a time-honored classic. Imagine a robust soup brimming with savory ground beef, a medley of colorful mixed vegetables, tender macaroni noodles, all swimming in a deeply flavored, tomato-infused beef broth. It’s everything you want in a comfort meal: warm, substantial, and packed with familiar flavors. Furthermore, it’s incredibly straightforward to prepare, making it a perfect solution for those hectic evenings when you need a wholesome dinner on the table in a flash. It’s the ultimate “tired parent friendly,” “kid-approved,” and wonderfully budget-friendly meal.
A Timeless Comfort Food: Why Hamburger Macaroni Soup Endures
Perhaps you knew this delightful dish by a different name growing up – it’s known by many! Some call it **Goulash Soup**, others refer to it as Hamburger Soup with Pasta, or simply **Vegetable Macaroni Soup**. Regardless of the moniker, this robust, beefy, and tomato-rich macaroni soup embodies the very essence of quick and easy comfort food. It’s a culinary hug in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings or busy weeknights when you crave something substantial and heartwarming without a lot of fuss.
What makes this particular soup so universally loved? Its appeal lies in its simplicity and the use of everyday ingredients that combine to create something truly special. The combination of savory ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and tender pasta in a tangy tomato base creates a balanced and incredibly satisfying flavor profile that appeals to all ages. It’s a complete meal in one pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing enjoyment.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hamburger Macaroni Soup
One of the best aspects of this easy **hamburger macaroni soup recipe** is its reliance on readily available and affordable ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting masterpiece:
- 1 pound of lean ground beef: The star protein that makes this soup so satisfying. Opting for lean ground beef minimizes the need for draining fat.
- 1/2 yellow onion: Diced finely, it provides a crucial aromatic base and sweetens as it cooks.
- 2 cloves garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds depth and pungent flavor that elevates the entire soup.
- 4 (14.5 ounce) cans of beef broth: The liquid foundation, bringing rich beef flavor. You can use low-sodium to control saltiness.
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans of Italian diced tomatoes: These add chunky texture and a bright, tangy tomato flavor to the broth.
- 1 (15 ounce) can of tomato sauce: Contributes to the smooth, rich tomato base without large chunks.
- 1 (12 ounce) bag of frozen mixed vegetables: A convenient way to add color, nutrients, and texture. Peas, carrots, corn, and green beans are common.
- 1 cup elbow macaroni: The signature pasta, which becomes tender and soaks up the delicious broth.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, providing classic Italian-American flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: To taste, essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors.
Crafting Your Comfort: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this **beef macaroni soup** is wonderfully straightforward, designed for efficiency without sacrificing flavor. Here’s how you’ll bring it all together:
You’ll begin by building the flavorful base of your soup. In a large stock pot, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Cook these together over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking up the beef into crumbles, until it’s thoroughly browned and the onions have softened and become translucent. If you’ve chosen lean ground beef, you might not need to drain any fat. However, if you’re using a higher fat content beef, it’s a good idea to carefully drain off any excess grease to ensure a lighter, less oily soup. Return the browned beef and aromatics to the pot.
Next, add the heart of the soup’s liquid and vegetables. Pour in the frozen mixed veggies and the undrained Italian diced tomatoes – the liquid from the canned tomatoes adds extra flavor and body. Then, stir in the beef broth and tomato sauce. This combination creates a robust, savory, and slightly tangy broth that will beautifully complement the beef and pasta. While some recipes might suggest using a can of tomato soup as a substitute for tomato sauce, which works in a pinch for convenience, I find that tomato sauce offers a cleaner, richer tomato flavor that truly enhances this particular **macaroni soup** recipe.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat and let the vegetables simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to begin softening. After the initial simmer, add one cup of uncooked elbow macaroni. Continue to simmer the soup just until the macaroni is cooked through and tender, typically following the package directions for al dente pasta. It’s crucial not to overcook the macaroni at this stage. The macaroni noodles will continue to absorb liquid and soften as the soup sits, so cooking them just until tender ensures they won’t become mushy later on. You might notice the soup thickening over time, a natural process as the pasta absorbs more of the flavorful broth.
Finally, taste your soup and season it generously with salt and black pepper to your preference. And that’s it! In under 30 minutes, you’ll have an incredibly easy, delicious, and **family-friendly dinner** ready to serve.
What to Serve with Your Hearty Hamburger Macaroni Soup
A warm bowl of **hamburger macaroni soup** is incredibly satisfying on its own, but pairing it with a simple side can elevate the meal. I’m a huge fan of serving it with warm, fluffy cornbread, which is perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savory broth. My kids, however, can’t get enough of these soft, buttery pull-apart biscuits.
Other excellent accompaniments include a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette for a fresh contrast, or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese or grated Parmesan over each bowl for an extra layer of flavor. Crusty bread or garlic knots are also fantastic for dipping.
Slow Cooker Adaptation: Make it Even Easier!
Absolutely! This **hamburger macaroni soup** can easily be adapted for your slow cooker, making it an ideal “set it and forget it” meal for busy days. Here’s how to do it with just a few minor modifications:
- Start by browning the ground beef with the diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a skillet on your stovetop. This crucial step develops flavor that you wouldn’t get from simply adding raw beef to the slow cooker.
- Once the beef is fully browned and the onions are soft, drain off any excess fat.
- Transfer the seasoned beef and aromatics to your slow cooker.
- Add the frozen mixed veggies, undrained Italian diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato sauce to the slow cooker. Give it a good stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for approximately 6 hours, or on high for about 3-4 hours. This slow simmering time allows all the flavors to deepen beautifully.
- About 20-30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, cook the macaroni separately on the stovetop according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked macaroni.
- Stir the cooked macaroni into the soup in the slow cooker. Let it sit for a few minutes to warm through, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Adding the macaroni at the end ensures it doesn’t become overcooked and mushy from sitting in the slow cooker for hours.
Tips for the Best Hamburger Macaroni Soup
- Don’t Skimp on Browning: Properly browning the ground beef and sautéing the onions and garlic creates a foundational layer of flavor that is essential for a rich soup.
- Control Salt: Canned broths and diced tomatoes can contain a lot of sodium. Start with low-sodium options and adjust salt at the very end after tasting.
- Prevent Mushy Macaroni: As noted, add macaroni towards the end and cook just until tender. If making ahead or storing leftovers, the pasta will continue to absorb liquid. You might want to cook the macaroni separately and add it to individual bowls just before serving, or add extra broth when reheating if it becomes too thick.
- Enhance Flavor: A bay leaf added during simmering can bring an extra layer of depth. Remove it before serving. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to customize with other vegetables like diced celery, bell peppers, or even potatoes (add them earlier with the broth to ensure they cook through).
Hamburger Macaroni Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4, 14.5 ounce cans beef broth
- 2 , 14.5 ounce cans Italian diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 , 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 12 ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
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In a large stockpot, cook together the ground beef, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook and stir, breaking the beef up into crumbles until the hamburger is browned. Drain off the fat and return to the stock pot.
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Add the diced tomatoes, mixed veggies, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes.
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Add the macaroni and cook just until tender.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
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Don’t let this incredible **budget-friendly hamburger macaroni soup** recipe slip away! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever you need a quick, hearty, and satisfying meal idea. It’s perfect for meal planning or those last-minute dinner decisions.
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