Busy Day Tomato Soup with Ground Beef and Macaroni 🍅🍜

This hearty and flavorful soup is a fantastic one-pot meal, perfect for busy days when you need something quick yet satisfying. With tender ground beef, comforting macaroni, and a rich tomato base, this soup will warm your heart and fill your belly. Enjoy it with a slice of crusty bread or a sprinkle of cheese for an extra kick!

Ingredients

For the soup

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1 cup elbow macaroni
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

• In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.

🍳 Ensure that the beef is fully cooked before proceeding. If there's excess fat, drain it off to keep the soup from becoming greasy.

• Add the diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

• Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine.

• Add the elbow macaroni, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.

⏲️ For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

• Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is al dente.

• Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley just before serving.

• Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Variations

• Vegetarian: Replace ground beef with lentils or a meat substitute (like crumbled tempeh) and use vegetable broth for a plant-based version. 🌱
• Spicy: Add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the vegetables for a spicy kick! 🔥
• Creamy: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a dollop of sour cream at the end for a creamy texture.
• High altitude: Increase the cooking time for the macaroni, as it may take longer to reach the perfect tenderness at higher elevations.

This Busy Day Tomato Soup with Ground Beef and Macaroni is not just simple to make but also comforting enough to bring a smile to your face on even the busiest days! 🥣❤️