Busy Day Soup
Busy day soup is exactly what you need when dinner time rolls around and your energy level is low! This delicious one pot meal combines ground beef, vegetables, and pasta in a rich broth for maximum flavor with minimal effort!
The name says it all! This easy soup recipe is perfect for those super busy weeknights when you need to feed your family fast. You might have heard it called macaroni and hamburger soup, which describes it perfectly, because it uses simple staple ingredients you most likely have on hand.
What makes this soup so great is how it comes together quickly while still tasting like you put in real effort. It’s filling, delicious, and something the whole family will eat. Plus it makes a large pot so there are plenty of leftovers!
If you love easy soup recipes like I do, try my stuffed bell pepper soup and my spicy lasagna soup. They’re perfect for busy weeknights when you are tired but not too tired to eat!
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef – I use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage.
- Soup mix – I like the Beefy onion soup mix the best but you can also use plain onion or french onion soup mixes.
- Mixed vegetables – The frozen mix of carrots, corn, green beans, and peas are my favorite but you can make your own combination. It’s great for using up small amounts of leftover vegetables too.
- Macaroni noodles – I love to use elbow macaroni use any small shape pasta noodles you prefer.
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How To Make Busy Day Soup
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef in olive oil over medium heat. Drain excess fat if you prefer. Stir in the soup mix, beef broth, diced tomatoes, and water. Stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in the macaroni and break up any clumps.
- After the 20 minutes, stir in the vegetables and bring the soup to a boil again. Reduce and simmer again.
- Cook until the pasta is tender (roughly 10 minutes) and then remove and serve.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Serving Suggestions
When I make this soup it’s usually because I am totally swamped or had a hard day. So much like the name implies, I’m too busy to deal with side dishes.
But if you want something to serve with it, try a crusty bread, garlic bread, or garlic knots. Add a fresh chopped salad too!
This soup is great for adding some toppings to change it up a bit. Try sprinkling with grated Parmesan cheese, hot sauce for a little kick, or crushed Saltines or oyster crackers.
Storage
Any leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep in an airtight container or wrap tightly. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until completely heated through.
How To Freeze
Cook and cool completely. Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container or bag.
I recommend leaving the noodles out if you’re going to freeze it. The noodles can break down a little and get mushy. If you have to freeze it with the pasta, be sure to under cook the noodles by a few minutes to help them keep their shape when you thaw it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. Brown the ground beef and drain. Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, minus the 2 cup macaroni noodles. Cook on low for 2-3 hours. Add the noodles 30 minutes before serving.
Feel free to use your favorite gluten free pasta or skip the pasta all together and use potatoes!
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Delicious swaps – Substitute ground turkey, Italian sausage, or ground chicken for beef. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth if preferred
- Spice it up – Add taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes, then top with sour cream for a Mexican twist.
- Vegetable options – Frozen vegetables work best, but canned work too. Just be sure to drain and rinse. Blanch fresh vegetables first before adding.
- Adjust consistency – Stir in cornstarch slurry slowly if you want thicker soup (it thickens quickly, so add gradually).
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This busy day soup recipe gets tons of flavor from the dry onion soup mix and is full of frozen mixed vegetables to make prep even easier!
Busy Day Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 1 ounce Beefy Onion Soup mix 1 packet or 1 tablespoon
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes undrained
- 16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups macaroni noodles
- Grated or shaved parmesan and chopped parsley for garnish.
Instructions
- In a large pot or dutch oven, over medium heat, brown the ground beef in the olive oil. Drain excess fat if desired.
- To the cooked beef, add the soup mix, diced tomatoes, beef broth, and water.
- Stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Pour in the mixed vegetables and macaroni noodles.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the noodles are soft.
- Remove from heat and serve warm with garnishes.
Notes
- Delicious swaps – Substitute ground turkey, Italian sausage, or ground chicken for beef. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth if preferred
- Spice it up – Add taco seasoning and fire-roasted tomatoes, then top with sour cream for a Mexican twist.
- Vegetable options – Frozen vegetables work best, but canned work too. Just be sure to drain and rinse. Blanch fresh vegetables first before adding.
- Adjust consistency – Stir in cornstarch slurry slowly if you want thicker soup (it thickens quickly, so add gradually).
Nutrition
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