Easy Hamburger Soup Recipes

Simple Tomato Hamburger Soup

This easy hamburger soup combines tomato juice, ground beef, and cooked pasta. It has the shortest ingredient list on the page and is a good choice for beginning cooks.

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Yield: About 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni, alphabet pasta, or other small pasta
• 5 3/4 cups tomato juice, approximately one 46-ounce can
• 2 cups water or beef broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, optional

Directions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set it aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, add the ground beef to a large soup pot over medium heat.
3. Cook for 7-10 minutes, breaking the beef into small pieces, until it is browned and reaches 160°F.
4. Carefully drain excess fat from the pot.
5. Add the tomato juice, water or broth, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, if using.
6. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Stir in the cooked pasta and heat for 1-2 minutes.
8. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Slow Cooker Hamburger Vegetable Soup

This hearty soup includes potatoes, cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and barley. It is the most vegetable-filled hamburger soup on the page and cooks slowly until the vegetables and grain are tender.

Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 6-8 hours | Yield: About 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 6–8 cups low-sodium beef broth, divided
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups peeled and cubed potatoes
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Directions

1. Add the ground beef and onion to a skillet over medium heat.
2. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it reaches 160°F.
3. Carefully drain excess fat.
4. Transfer the beef and onion to the slow cooker.
5. Add 6 cups of the broth, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, celery, carrots, barley, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, and pepper.
6. Stir everything together.
7. Cover and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or on High for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables and barley are tender.
8. Check the soup during the final hour and add some of the remaining broth if the barley has absorbed too much liquid.
9. Taste and add salt or additional pepper as needed.

Pesto Hamburger Pasta Soup

This tomato-based hamburger soup uses wagon-wheel pasta, broccoli, cauliflower, and basil pesto. The pesto gives it a distinct Italian-style flavor that separates it from the simpler tomato soup.

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cans (14 ounces each) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 package (16 ounces) frozen broccoli and cauliflower
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup tomato juice
• 1 cup uncooked wagon-wheel pasta or other small pasta
• 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
• Black pepper, to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving, optional

Directions

1. Add the ground beef to a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat.
2. Cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it is browned and reaches 160°F.
3. Carefully drain excess fat and return the beef to the pot.
4. Add the beef broth, frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes with their juice, and tomato juice.
5. Bring the soup to a boil.
6. Stir in the uncooked pasta.
7. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the pasta and vegetables are tender.
8. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the pesto.
9. Taste and season with black pepper.
10. Serve with Parmesan cheese, Italian bread, and fruit, if desired.

Beef Barley Soup

This ground beef soup uses barley instead of pasta or potatoes. Tomatoes, oregano, onion, and beef broth create a simple base, while optional frozen vegetables make it easy to customize.