Best Ground Beef Soup Recipes
These 8 ground beef soup recipes are hearty, budget-friendly comfort meals ready in 20-45 minutes using simple pantry staples. Each soup feeds 6-8 people, costs under $15-20, and freezes for up to 3 months. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, feeding crowds, or stretching your grocery budget when you need satisfying dinners that taste better than takeout.
When you need a hearty, comforting dinner that won’t break the bank, ground beef soup is your answer. These aren’t your basic “throw meat and vegetables in a pot” recipes – each one has a unique flavor profile, special ingredients, and distinct personality that makes it stand out.
I’ve spent years perfecting these ground beef soup recipes, and they’ve become some of the most requested meals in my house. Whether you’re feeding a crowd on game day, prepping meals for the week, or just need something warm and filling on a busy Tuesday night, there’s a soup here for every occasion.
The best part? Ground beef soup is incredibly forgiving. You can make substitutions, adjust seasonings to your taste, and most of these freeze beautifully for those nights when cooking from scratch just isn’t happening.
Why These Ground Beef Soups Are Amazing
- Budget-friendly – Most cost $15-20 to feed 6-8 people
- Pantry-friendly – Use ingredients you probably already have
- Fast – Ready in 20-45 minutes (faster than delivery!)
- Freezer-friendly – Make ahead and freeze for up to 3 months
- One-pot meals – Minimal cleanup, which I LOVE
- Kid-approved – Even picky eaters love these
- Versatile – Easily doubled or modified to fit your family
- Meal prep champions – Taste even better the next day!
The 8 Best Ground Beef Soups
1. Cowboy Soup – The Budget Champion
What makes it special: Ranch beans are the secret ingredient that makes this soup absolutely addictive. This is your most budget-friendly option at under $15 for 8 servings.
Flavor profile: Smoky Tex-Mex with a hint of ranch seasoning
Best for: Feeding game day crowds, meal prep (freezes for 3 months), stretching your grocery budget
Ready in: 30 minutes, WOW!
Why you’ll love it: This hearty soup is loaded with ground beef, ranch beans, mixed vegetables, and Rotel in a smoky broth. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, and it feeds an army without requiring a second mortgage.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, ranch beans (the secret!), mixed vegetables, Rotel, beef broth
Pro tip: Make a double batch – this freezes beautifully and tastes even better reheated.
2. Santa Fe Soup – The Lighter, Veggie-Packed Option
What makes it special: Shoepeg corn and a lighter, brothier texture make this the “healthier” ground beef soup without sacrificing flavor.
Flavor profile: Southwestern comfort with sweet corn for balance.
Best for: When you want comfort food that’s not too heavy, using up leftover vegetables, and a lighter lunch option.
Ready in: 25 minutes
Why you’ll love it: This soup is packed with vegetables but doesn’t taste “diet-y” at all. The Shoepeg corn adds a sweet crunch that balances the savory beef perfectly.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, Shoepeg corn, black beans, bell peppers, green chiles, and tomatoes.
Pro tip: Top with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and a spoonful of sour cream for even more flavor.
3. Busy Day Soup – The FASTEST Option
What makes it special: This is hands-down the fastest ground beef soup at just 20 minutes using frozen vegetables and minimal prep.
Flavor profile: Classic beef vegetable soup with Italian herbs.
Best for: Chaotic weeknights, when you’re exhausted, last-minute dinners, or anytime really.
Ready in: 20 minutes (seriously!)
Why you’ll love it: No chopping, no fuss, no stress. This dump-and-go soup comes together in one pot faster than you can order pizza. It’s comfort food for when you need dinner NOW.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, frozen mixed vegetables, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Italian seasoning.
Pro tip: Keep the ingredients on hand for emergency dinners. This is meal prep without the prep. I always have the ingredients for this recipe in my pantry.
4. Stuffed Pepper Soup – The Deconstructed Classic
What makes it special: All the flavors of stuffed peppers without the fussy, messy stuffing and baking. Includes rice for extra heartiness.
Flavor profile: Sweet peppers, savory beef, and tomato-based with rice.
Best for: When you’re craving stuffed peppers but don’t have 2 hours, feeding picky eaters who like “normal” soup.
Ready in: 35 minutes where stuffing peppers takes much longer!
Why you’ll love it: This soup is everything you love about stuffed peppers (bell peppers, ground beef, rice, tomato) but in a fraction of the time and effort.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, bell peppers (red, green, yellow), long-grain rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
Pro tip: Use different colors of bell peppers for the prettiest presentation and best flavor.
5. Spicy Lasagna Soup – The Impressive One
What makes it special: Italian flavors with TWO meats (beef + Italian sausage), cheesy, and honestly, it looks fancy but is easy to make.
Flavor profile: Italian comfort food. Think lasagna in a bowl!
Best for: Impressing dinner guests, when you want something “fancy” but easy, and Italian food lovers.
Ready in: 40 minutes, which is quicker than classic lasagna.
Why you’ll love it: This soup tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen but it comes together in one pot. The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage gives it extra depth, and the cheesy topping makes it special.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, Italian sausage, lasagna noodles (broken), ricotta, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
Pro tip: Serve with garlic bread, or garlic knots for dipping and extra mozzarella on top for maximum cheese factor.
6. Cabbage Roll Soup – The Sweet-and-Sour Option
What makes it special: All the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the rolling. A sweet-and-sour flavor that is unique.
Flavor profile: Sweet-and-sour with tender cabbage and tomato.
Best for: When you’re craving something different, and cabbage lovers.
Ready in: 40 minutes
Why you’ll love it: Cabbage rolls are delicious but SO time-consuming. This soup gives you all those same flavors in a fraction of the time, no rolling required.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, cabbage, tomato sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and rice.
Pro tip: The sweet-and-sour balance is the key. Be sure to taste and adjust with more sugar or vinegar to your liking.
7. Hobo Stew – The Use-What-You-Have Option
What makes it special: The most flexible recipe here. It’s designed to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Mild and kid-friendly.
Flavor profile: Mild, beefy, loaded with vegetables, classic American comfort.
Best for: Using up leftovers in your fridge, picky eaters, kids who don’t like spicy foods.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Why you’ll love it: This is the soup to make when you need to clean out the vegetable drawer. It’s mild enough for kids but still the adults still love it, and incredibly forgiving with substitutions.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, potatoes, whatever vegetables you have, beef broth, and basic seasonings.
Pro tip: This is your “refrigerator soup” so use what needs to be used up!
8. Black Eyed Pea Chili – The Southern Tradition
What makes it special: Perfect for New Year’s (good luck tradition!), it’s Southern-inspired, unique with black-eyed peas instead of regular beans.
Flavor profile: Smoky, slightly spicy, Southern style comfort.
Best for: New Year’s Day, bringing Southern flavor to dinner, using black-eyed peas.
Ready in: 35 minutes
Why you’ll love it: This isn’t your typical chili. The black-eyed peas add a unique texture and flavor, plus there’s the whole “good luck” tradition if you serve it on New Year’s Day.
Key ingredients: Ground beef, black-eyed peas, Rotel, corn, chili seasoning, and beef broth,
Pro tip: Make it New Year’s Eve so it’s ready to serve on New Year’s Day for good luck all year!
How to Choose Which Soup to Make
If you need dinner FAST (under 25 minutes):
→ Busy Day Soup or Santa Fe Soup
If you’re on a tight budget (under $15):
→ Cowboy Soup or Hobo Stew
If you’re feeding picky eaters/kids:
→ Hobo Stew or Busy Day Soup (both are mild)
If you want to impress guests:
→ Spicy Lasagna Soup or Stuffed Pepper Soup
If you’re craving specific flavors:
- Tex-Mex: Cowboy Soup, Santa Fe Soup, Black Eyed Pea Chili
- Italian: Spicy Lasagna Soup
- Sweet-and-sour: Cabbage Roll Soup
- Classic: Busy Day Soup, Hobo Stew
If you need to use up vegetables:
→ Hobo Stew or Santa Fe Soup
For special occasions:
- Game Day: Cowboy Soup
- New Year’s: Black Eyed Pea Chili
- Dinner Party: Spicy Lasagna Soup
Master Tips for Perfect Ground Beef Soup
1. Brown the Beef Properly
Don’t just stir the meat around. Let it brown in batches if needed, breaking it up into small pieces. You want those caramelized bits for maximum flavor. Use lean ground beef to avoid excess oil in the pan.
Pro technique: Season the beef while it’s browning, not after. The spices get more fragrant better this way.
2. Don’t Skip the Aromatics
Even though these are “quick” soups, taking 2 minutes to sauté onions and garlic first makes a huge difference in depth of flavor.
3. Layer Your Seasonings
Add some seasonings while browning the meat, more with the vegetables, and taste for final adjustments at the end. This builds complex flavor.
4. Let It Simmer (Even Just 10 Minutes)
Once everything’s in the pot, let it simmer for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and develop.
5. Taste and Adjust
Every batch is slightly different. Taste before serving and adjust:
- Too bland? Add salt, pepper, or a splash of hot sauce
- Too acidic? Add a pinch of sugar
- Too thick? Add more broth
- Too thin? Simmer uncovered to reduce liquid
6. Top It Right
The toppings can make or break soup:
- Sour cream adds richness
- Cheese adds creaminess
- Fresh herbs brighten it up
- Crunchy elements (chips, crackers) add texture
- Hot sauce lets people adjust spice level
Storage & Freezer Tips
Refrigerator Storage:
All of these soups last 4-5 days in the refrigerator in airtight containers. Many taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
Freezer Storage:
Most of these soups freeze beautifully for up to 3 months:
Best freezers: Cowboy Soup, Santa Fe Soup, Busy Day Soup, Black Eyed Pea Chili
Freeze with caution: Stuffed Pepper Soup, Cabbage Roll Soup (rice can get mushy – slightly undercook rice if freezing)
Don’t freeze: Spicy Lasagna Soup (cheese and noodles don’t freeze well)
Freezing tips:
- Cool completely before freezing
- Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags
- Leave 1-2 inches of headspace for expansion
- Label with name and date
- Freeze in portion sizes (2 servings, 4 servings, etc.)
Reheating:
- Stovetop: Best method – reheat over medium heat, stirring occasionally
- Microwave: Works fine – heat in 2-minute intervals, stirring between
- From frozen: Thaw overnight in fridge OR reheat from frozen (add 10-15 minutes)
Pro tip: Soups thicken in the fridge/freezer. Add a splash of broth when reheating to bring back the perfect consistency.
What to Serve with Ground Beef Soup
Breads:
- Cornbread – Classic pairing, especially with Tex-Mex soups (Cowboy, Santa Fe, Black Eyed Pea)
- Garlic Bread or Garlic Knots – Perfect with Italian-style (Spicy Lasagna Soup)
- Biscuits – Southern comfort with any of these soups
- Tortillas – Warm flour tortillas for scooping
Salads:
- Simple Green Salad – Keeps it light
- Broccoli Grape Salad – Adds crunch and sweetness
- Italian Chopped Salad – Perfect with Spicy Lasagna Soup
- Cabbage and Apple Slaw – Fresh contrast to rich soup
Toppings Bar:
Set out a variety so everyone can customize:
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, Colby Jack, Mexican blend)
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Oyster crackers
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Hot sauce
Complete Meal Ideas:
Casual Family Dinner:
Cowboy Soup + Skillet Cornbread + Simple green salad
Game Day Spread:
Black Eyed Pea Chili + Tortilla chips + Queso Blanco + Mexican Cheese Ball
Dinner Party:
Spicy Lasagna Soup + Garlic bread + Italian Chopped Salad + Tiramisu
Weeknight Simple:
Busy Day Soup + Store-bought rolls + Cut veggies with ranch
Substitutions & Variations
Protein Swaps:
- Ground turkey: Works in any of these – slightly leaner, milder flavor
- Ground chicken: Similar to turkey
- Ground pork: Adds richness, especially good in Cabbage Roll Soup
- Ground Italian sausage: Great in Spicy Lasagna Soup (or use half beef, half sausage in any recipe)
- Vegetarian: Use plant-based ground meat or extra beans/lentils
Making It Spicier:
- Add diced jalapeños
- Use hot Rotel instead of mild
- Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- Top with hot sauce
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar
Making It Milder:
- Use mild Rotel or regular diced tomatoes
- Reduce chili powder
- Skip jalapeños
- Add a dollop of sour cream to cool it down
Vegetable Additions:
All of these soups welcome extra vegetables:
- Diced zucchini
- Chopped spinach or kale
- Additional bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Celery
Making It Heartier:
- Add more beans
- Include cooked rice or pasta
- Add diced potatoes
- Use less broth for a thicker stew-like consistency
Meal Prep Strategy
Sunday Prep for the Week:
Option 1: Make 2 Different Soups
- Make Cowboy Soup (8 servings)
- Make Busy Day Soup (8 servings)
- Portion into containers: 4 lunches each
- Freeze 4 servings of each for later
Option 2: Triple One Recipe
- Make 3 batches of your favorite soup
- Eat fresh for 2-3 days
- Freeze the rest in meal-sized portions
- Pull out as needed
Option 3: Prep Components
- Brown ground beef in large batches
- Dice all vegetables
- Store separately in fridge
- Assemble soup in 15 minutes on busy nights
Freezer Meal Prep:
- Choose 3-4 soups from this list
- Make one soup per week
- Freeze leftovers immediately
- After 4 weeks, you have 4 different soup options in your freezer
- Pull out as needed for zero-effort dinners
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Most ground beef soups freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers leaving 1-2 inches of headspace for expansion, and label with date. The best freezers from this collection are Cowboy Soup, Santa Fe Soup, Busy Day Soup, and Black Eyed Pea Chili. Avoid freezing Spicy Lasagna Soup (the noodles and cheese don’t freeze well).
All of these ground beef soups last 4-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in airtight containers. Many actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Stovetop is best – place soup in a pot over medium heat and stir occasionally until heated through (about 5-7 minutes). Microwave also works – heat in 2-minute intervals, stirring between, until steaming hot. Add a splash of broth when reheating if the soup has thickened in storage.
Absolutely! In fact, most of these soups taste better the next day. Make 1-2 days ahead, cool completely, refrigerate in airtight containers, and reheat when ready to serve. This is perfect for entertaining or meal prep – all the work is done in advance!
Yes! Ground turkey works in any of these recipes. Use 93% lean ground turkey for best results. The soup will be slightly leaner and the flavor will be milder, but still delicious. You may want to add an extra dash of seasoning since turkey is less flavorful than beef.
To thicken any of these soups: (1) Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes to reduce liquid, (2) Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water), (3) Add instant mashed potato flakes, or (4) Mash some of the vegetables against the side of the pot.
Hobo Stew and Busy Day Soup are the mildest and most kid-friendly options. They have classic, familiar flavors without spice. If your picky eaters like pasta, Spicy Lasagna Soup (despite the name, you can make it mild) is also a winner because it’s basically “spaghetti soup.”
Yes! For any of these recipes: Brown the ground beef first, then add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. The soup will be even more flavorful with the longer cooking time. Note: If using pasta or rice, add it in the last 30-60 minutes of cooking to prevent mushiness.
Cowboy Soup is your best budget option at around $12-15 for 8 servings (about $1.50-1.90 per serving). Hobo Stew comes in second at $11-14. Both use mostly pantry staples and inexpensive ingredients while still being incredibly satisfying and delicious.
Yes, all of these recipes double easily! Use a large stockpot (at least 8 quarts). You may need to adjust cooking time slightly – add 5-10 extra minutes of simmering time. This is great for meal prep, freezing extra portions, or feeding a large crowd.
Save This Collection!
Pin this collection to your “Dinner Ideas” or “Easy Recipes” board so you can find it again when you need dinner inspiration. Trust me, you’ll be coming back to this list again and again!
These eight ground beef soup recipes have been tested, tweaked, and perfected over years of feeding my family and friends. Each one has earned its place in my regular dinner rotation because it’s reliable, delicious, and solves a specific dinner dilemma.
Pick one that sounds good, grab a pound of ground beef, and get cooking. Your future self (and your family) will thank you!
Ready to start cooking? Pick your soup and let’s make dinner happen!
And if you make any of these soups, tag me on social media or leave a comment below – I love seeing your creations and hearing which one became your favorite!
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