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Classic Hearty Old Fashioned Hamburger Soup (One-Pot & Slow Cooker)

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rich hamburger soup, featuring ground beef, potatoes, carrots, macaroni, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.
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Make this classic, hearty hamburger soup for a filling, budget-friendly family dinner. This recipe is packed with ground beef, potatoes, and vegetables, and you can cook it easily on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup elbow macaroni (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot with the beef. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Pour in the beef broth and add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), diced potatoes, green beans, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  5. If using macaroni, stir it in now and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta is done. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
  6. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheddar cheese if desired.
  7. For Slow Cooker Method: Brown the beef and sauté the onions, carrots, and celery on the stovetop first. Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the broth, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, seasonings, and bay leaf. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in macaroni during the last 30 minutes of cooking time if using. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use low-sodium beef broth and add 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce with the broth.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir this slurry into the soup during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
  • This is a great budget friendly soup dinner that freezes well for later meals.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/hamburger-soup-recipe/