It doesn’t take much creativity to figure out why Busy Day Soup gets its name: The most labor-intensive cooking is browning the meat, but the rest of the recipe just involves adding the remaining ingredients and simmering for a few minutes.
Most soup bases are made from sautéed onions, celery, and carrots, but to speed up the process after a busy day, this recipe uses a package of dried onion soup mix instead. The benefit of using this soup mix is that you can give your meat a generous helping of mouthwatering flavor without having to chop and cook it multiple times. Adding this packet to the meat you’re browning infuses the fat in the ground beef with rich flavor and allows all the spices in the mix to infuse the soup.
Then just add some vegetable broth, a can of roasted tomatoes, and a bag of frozen veggies, add some pasta noodles to bulk up the soup and add some needed starch, cook the pasta in the flavorful broth, and voila!
Soup ingredients for busy days
To make this hearty weeknight soup you will need:
Extra virgin olive oil: for browning the beef. Ground beef: you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or sausage if you like. Dried onion soup mix: adds depth of flavor to the soup without having to make a mirepoix. Vegetable bouillon: the base for the bouillon. you can also use chicken, turkey, or beef bouillon. Canned fire-roasted tomatoes: for a sweet, smoky tomato flavor. Frozen mixed vegetables: use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Dried pasta noodles: such as gemelli, to bulk up the soup and make it a hearty weeknight dinner.
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
How to make soup for busy days
This soup is quick and easy to make and makes a satisfying meal at the end of a long day.
Step 1. Fry the beef until browned: Heat oil in a dutch oven or large pot and fry the beef until browned. Step 2. Add broth and vegetables: Add onion soup mix, broth, tomatoes and vegetables and stir. Bring to a boil. Step 3. Add pasta: Add pasta and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve.
Soup variations for busy days
This soup is there to make your life easier, and by making some easy substitutions with what you have on hand, it certainly achieves that purpose.
Beef: Substitute ground turkey, pork, chicken, or sausage. Condiments: Replace the onion soup mix with different spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or chili powder. Vegetables: Add fresh onions, peppers, mushrooms, or any frozen veggies you have on hand. Pasta: Substitute tortellini, potatoes, or leftover rice, although any small pasta form will do. Toppings: Add a little pizzazz by topping with fresh herbs, a little hot sauce, or shredded cheese.
Want to prep your day ahead? Prepare this soup in your slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours, adding the pasta in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
How to make soup ahead of time for busy days
Not only is this soup easy to make, but it can also be prepared up to 3 days in advance. Prepare the soup and bring it to room temperature, refrigerate in an airtight container, and when you’re ready to serve it, reheat on the stove until warmed through.
How to freeze soup for busy days
This soup can be frozen for up to 6 months, so make a big batch to have ready for busy weeknights. Fill a freezer-safe zip-top bag no more than 3/4 full, remove all air and seal. Freeze flat until solid.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove until warmed through before serving.
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Easy Soup Recipes You’ll Love
With the busy fall and winter months, having lots of soup recipes on hand that you can whip up quickly is key to getting through this season.
The editor is Katie Rosenhaus.
