Introduction
Is there anything more comforting than a warm, savory bowl of soup on a crisp day? This classic dish wraps you in a cozy hug and nourishes you from the inside out. Today, I am thrilled to share my ultimate recipe for a truly satisfying Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe. It promises to become a cherished staple in your home cooking rotation, just as it is in mine.
This Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe is a complete, one-pot meal that masterfully combines tender chunks of beef with a vibrant medley of garden vegetables in a rich, savory broth. It matters because it delivers deep, homemade flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen. Moreover, it fits our blog’s mission perfectly by proving that wholesome, from-scratch cooking can be both accessible and incredibly rewarding. This soup is a fantastic way to pack nutrients into a single bowl, making it ideal for a healthy family dinner or for meal prepping a week of lunches. For those nights when you need something equally comforting but even faster, our popular Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup is another fantastic option. Ultimately, this recipe represents the heart of what we do: creating food that feeds both the body and the soul with simplicity and love. It is the culinary equivalent of your favorite sweater, and everyone deserves that kind of warmth.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it is my go-to for curing the winter blues and bringing my family together around the dinner table. I vividly remember my grandmother making a huge pot on Sundays, and the entire house would smell absolutely incredible for hours. Now, I love carrying on that tradition; it connects me to my roots while allowing me to nourish my own family. Furthermore, the flexibility to use whatever vegetables I have on hand means it never gets boring. It is my ultimate comfort food, and sharing it with you feels like sharing a piece of my home. For another family-friendly favorite that uses ground beef, you must try our Classic Beef Stroganoff next.
Health and Nutrition
Why it’s good for your body
This Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe truly nourishes your body from the inside out. First, the lean beef provides a powerful dose of high-quality protein, which effectively supports muscle repair and keeps you feeling full. Furthermore, the colorful array of vegetables delivers a wide spectrum of essential vitamins and antioxidants.
For instance, carrots contribute beta-carotene for eye health, while celery offers valuable anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, tomatoes add a significant amount of vitamin C and lycopene, a potent antioxidant. The broth itself hydrates your body and aids in digestion, making each bowl a deeply comforting and restorative experience.
Moreover, this soup combines complex carbohydrates and fiber from its vegetable medley. Consequently, this combination promotes stable blood sugar levels and supports a healthy gut. Ultimately, enjoying a serving of Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe means you are fueling your body with wholesome, recognizable ingredients that work in harmony.
How it fits in a healthy lifestyle
This Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe seamlessly fits into a balanced eating plan. It naturally aligns with high-protein and gluten-free diets, making it a fantastic option for many. You can easily enjoy it as a satisfying lunch that powers you through the afternoon or as a light yet comforting dinner.
For those focused on heart-healthy choices, the lean cut of beef and abundance of vegetables support cardiovascular wellness. If you are looking for more ways to incorporate nutritious meals into your week, explore our guide on easy meal prep ideas. Preparing a large batch of this soup ahead of time makes healthy eating convenient and stress-free. It’s a perfect example of how delicious food can also be incredibly good for you. Pair it with a simple side salad for a complete meal, much like the vibrant options in our collection of healthy salad recipes.
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Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT30M
- Total Time: PT45M
- Yield: 6 1x
- Method: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic vegetable beef soup combines ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and carrots into a hearty and healthy meal.
Ingredients
- Soup Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 cup peas, frozen or fresh
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation:
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces until no longer pink.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add diced potatoes, carrots, peas, and canned tomatoes to the pot; stir to combine.
- Pour in the beef broth and add dried thyme and dried parsley; season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
- Serving:
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.
How to Prepare This Dish
Steps and time-saving tips
First, grab your largest soup pot or Dutch oven and heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Next, brown your stew meat in batches; this step builds incredible flavor, so do not rush it. Once the beef develops a nice crust, remove it and set it aside. Then, toss your diced onions, carrots, and celery into that same flavorful pot. Sauté the vegetables until they just begin to soften, which usually takes about five minutes. Meanwhile, you can mince your garlic and gather your remaining ingredients. After that, add the garlic and tomato paste, stirring constantly for one minute until it becomes fragrant. Now, pour in your beef broth and crushed tomatoes, and then return the browned beef to the pot. Finally, add your frozen green beans and corn, along with your herbs and seasonings. Bring everything to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let your Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe cook for at least 45 minutes. For a major time-saving tip, use a pre-cut vegetable mix from the grocery store. Alternatively, you can brown the beef a day in advance and store it in the fridge until you are ready to make your soup.
Mistakes I’ve made and learned from
I have definitely learned a few lessons the hard way with this Easy Vegetable Beef Soup – Hearty & Healthy Recipe. My biggest mistake was rushing the browning step; I would overcrowd the pot, which steamed the meat instead of searing it. This resulted in a broth that lacked that deep, rich flavor we all love. Now, I patiently brown the meat in two batches for the best results. Another error involved my potatoes turning to complete mush. I learned that different potatoes have different starch levels and cooking times. For a soup that simmers a while, you need a sturdy potato that holds its shape. If you are unsure about which type to use, my guide on choosing the right potato breaks it all down. Also, do not forget to taste and adjust your seasoning right at the end. I once added salt too early and ended up with an overly salty soup after the liquid reduced. For more on balancing flavors, check out my tips for fixing a salty soup.