Hearty & Easy Hamburger Macaroni Soup: A 30-Minute Family Favorite
Hamburger macaroni soup is a true culinary classic, a comforting and robust dish that has graced dinner tables for generations. This recipe takes simple, budget-friendly ingredients and transforms them into a rich, satisfying, and wholesome meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate go-to for busy weeknights, offering a delicious blend of savory ground beef, tender macaroni noodles, and a vibrant medley of vegetables swimming in a flavorful tomato-infused beef broth. It’s no wonder this easy hamburger soup with pasta remains a beloved staple for families everywhere.
For many, this isn’t just a recipe; it’s a nostalgic journey back to childhood kitchens. The sheer versatility and straightforward preparation make it an undeniable favorite. Whether you’re a tired parent looking for a quick and nutritious dinner, or simply craving a hearty bowl of comfort food, this beef and macaroni soup delivers every time. It’s incredibly kid-friendly, making it a stress-free option for even the pickiest eaters, and undeniably budget-friendly, utilizing pantry staples to create a substantial meal without breaking the bank.
The Undeniable Appeal of Hamburger Macaroni Soup
Perhaps you knew this dish by another name growing up – Goulash soup, American goulash, hamburger soup with pasta, or even simply vegetable macaroni soup. Regardless of its moniker, the core appeal remains the same: it’s a wholesome, satisfying, and incredibly easy meal. This beefy tomato macaroni soup embodies quick and easy comfort food at its finest, proving that you don’t need complex ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create something truly delicious and nourishing.
Its widespread popularity stems from a few key factors:
- Speed & Simplicity: Most of the cooking time is hands-off simmering. You can have this on the table faster than takeout.
- Budget-Friendly: Made with inexpensive ingredients like ground beef, pasta, canned tomatoes, and frozen vegetables, it’s economical.
- Hearty & Filling: Packed with protein and carbohydrates, it’s a meal that truly satisfies.
- Family-Approved: The mild, savory flavors are generally loved by adults and children alike.
- Nutrient-Packed: A great way to sneak in a serving of vegetables.
Essential Ingredients for Your Hamburger Macaroni Soup
One of the beauties of this soup is its reliance on readily available and simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious meal, along with some notes on why each component is important:
- 1 pound of lean ground beef: The star protein that makes this soup so hearty. Using lean ground beef (90/10 or higher) minimizes the need to drain excess fat, making preparation even quicker. If you opt for a higher fat content, simply drain the fat after browning.
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced): Provides an aromatic base, adding depth and a subtle sweetness to the broth.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): A quintessential flavor enhancer that pairs perfectly with beef and tomato.
- 4 cans (14.5 oz each) beef broth: Forms the liquid base of the soup, providing rich beefy flavor. You can use low-sodium broth to control salt content.
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Italian diced tomatoes (undrained): These add a tangy, robust tomato flavor and texture, along with bits of tomato for a chunkier soup. Undrained ensures all the delicious juices are included.
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce: Contributes to the thick, savory tomato base of the soup, balancing the diced tomatoes. Some recipes suggest tomato soup as a substitute, and while it will work, tomato sauce provides a purer tomato flavor without added creams or sugars found in condensed soup.
- 1 bag (12 oz) frozen mixed vegetables: A convenient way to add a variety of nutrients and color. Common mixes include peas, carrots, green beans, and corn. No need to thaw beforehand!
- 1 cup elbow macaroni: The “macaroni” in hamburger macaroni soup! These small, curved noodles cook quickly and absorb the delicious broth, making the soup wonderfully filling.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Essential for seasoning and bringing all the flavors together. Always taste and adjust before serving.
How to Make This Speedy Hamburger Macaroni Soup
Crafting this hearty soup is remarkably straightforward, requiring just a few simple steps and minimal active cooking time. Here’s a detailed guide to getting this comforting dish on your table quickly:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Brown the Beef and Aromatics: Begin by combining your ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning in a large stockpot or Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until it’s fully browned and the onions are softened and translucent. If you’re using a fattier ground beef, drain off any excess fat from the pot. This step builds the foundational flavors of your soup.
- Add Liquids and Vegetables: Once the beef is browned, return it to the pot (if you drained it). Stir in the frozen mixed vegetables and both cans of undrained Italian diced tomatoes. Next, pour in the four cans of beef broth and the can of tomato sauce. Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer to Blend Flavors: Bring the soup mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Allow it to simmer for at least 10 minutes. This simmering time is crucial as it allows the flavors from all the ingredients – the beef, tomatoes, vegetables, and seasonings – to meld together beautifully, creating a rich and cohesive broth.
- Cook the Macaroni: After the initial simmer, add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, just until the macaroni is cooked through and tender. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes, depending on your pasta. It’s important not to overcook the macaroni at this stage. The macaroni noodles will continue to absorb liquid even after the heat is off, causing them to swell and potentially make your soup less “soupy.” Cook only until al dente for the best texture, as they will soften further as the soup sits.
- Season and Serve: Finally, taste the soup and season it generously with salt and black pepper according to your preference. Remember, canned broths and tomatoes can vary in sodium content, so always adjust to your taste. Serve hot and enjoy this easy, peasy, family-friendly dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Tips for the Best Hamburger Macaroni Soup
- Don’t Overcook the Macaroni: As mentioned, pasta continues to absorb liquid and soften after cooking. For best results, cook until just tender. If you plan to have leftovers, you might even undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue to cook in the residual heat and broth.
- Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end. Consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra umami.
- Enhance Flavor: For an even richer flavor, you can add a bay leaf during the simmering stage and remove it before serving. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil at the end adds freshness.
- Make it Creamier (Optional): For a slightly creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese just before serving. This isn’t traditional but can be a delicious twist.
Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Soup
This hamburger macaroni soup is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to complete your dinner:
- Cornbread: A classic pairing! The sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread is perfect for soaking up the savory broth.
- Crusty Bread or Rolls: Fresh, warm bread is always a hit. My kids particularly love these pull-apart garlic rolls for dipping.
- Crackers: Simple and satisfying, a few crushed crackers on top add a nice crunch.
- Side Salad: A light, fresh green salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the soup.
- Cheese: A sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan over individual bowls adds an extra layer of flavor and melty goodness.
Can You Make Hamburger Macaroni Soup in the Slow Cooker?
Absolutely! The slow cooker is a fantastic way to prepare this soup, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over several hours with minimal effort. Here’s how to adapt the recipe for your slow cooker:
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet on the stovetop, brown the ground beef with the diced onion, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. This step is crucial for flavor development. Drain off any excess fat.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add the frozen mixed vegetables, undrained Italian diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Stir everything together well.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This long, slow simmer allows all the ingredients to become incredibly tender and infuse the broth with deep, rich flavors.
- Add Macaroni (Last Minute): About 20-30 minutes before serving, cook the macaroni separately on the stovetop according to package directions. Drain the cooked macaroni and add it to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy from overcooking in the slow cooker for hours.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This soup makes excellent leftovers, though you’ll notice the macaroni will absorb more broth over time. Here’s how to store and reheat:
- Refrigeration: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Dealing with Absorbed Broth: When reheating, you might find the soup has thickened considerably due to the macaroni soaking up the broth. Simply add a splash more beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hamburger Macaroni Soup
What kind of ground beef is best?
Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) is recommended as it reduces the amount of fat you need to drain. However, any ground beef will work; just be sure to drain off excess fat after browning for a less greasy soup.
Can I use other types of pasta?
Yes! While elbow macaroni is traditional, other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or even broken spaghetti can be used. Adjust cooking times as necessary.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely! This soup is highly customizable. Feel free to add corn, green beans, diced carrots, or even a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of simmering. Adjust the amount of broth if adding a significant quantity of extra vegetables.
How can I make the soup thicker or thinner?
To make it thicker, you can mash some of the cooked potatoes if you added any, or mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the simmering soup until thickened. To thin it out, simply add more beef broth or water.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
The soup base (without the macaroni) freezes very well for up to 3 months. However, cooked macaroni can become mushy when thawed and reheated. If you plan to freeze, cook and add the macaroni fresh when reheating, or cook it only halfway before freezing and finish cooking it when you reheat the soup.
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Hamburger Macaroni Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4, 14.5 ounce cans beef broth
- 2 , 14.5 ounce cans Italian diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 1 , 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 12 ounce bag frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
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In a large stockpot, cook together the ground beef, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook and stir, breaking the beef up into crumbles until the hamburger is browned. Drain off the fat and return to the stock pot.
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Add the diced tomatoes, mixed veggies, beef broth, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes.
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Add the macaroni and cook just until tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
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