My Busy Day Soup? Does such thing exist? It does now. When the days get busy, this soup happens. Throw in a handful of ingredients… no chopping, no cutting, no prep, nothing fancy. Let it simmer, and boom, soup’s ready!! It’s warm, comforting, and couldn’t be easier. Perfect for when you need a meal without the hassle!
Most of the times when I think about soup, I imagine a pot of soup simmering for hours, low and slow. My Hungarian Goulash, Caldo de Pollo, Beef Barley Soup and Borscht are perfect examples of some classic soups that take a long time to develop into flavor bombs.
Not today. Today, after a super fun day bowling with the family, I needed something quick, easy, and prep-free. I wasn’t up for chopping, slicing, or dicing, just something simple and satisfying. So, I went straight for my idea of Busy Day Soup!
All I had to do was dump everything into the pot, let it simmer, and in no time, a cozy, delicious meal was ready. It was exactly what I needed after a day filled with laughs, strikes, and gutter balls!
Now this is my version of Busy Day Soup with everyday pantry staples I always find in my kitchen. No obscure ingredients I go hunting for. I am going to use some super simple tricks to make this happen in magic time. No chopping… well that’s where frozen vegetables come in. And garlic and onion powder instead of chopped onion or garlic. Sound good? Using crushed tomatoes instead of chopped tomatoes again saves time, bringing in all the flavors in record time. And I am going to use enough herbs and spices to keep that GypsyPlate oomph going, and a handful of pasta to make it hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients Needed
- Olive Oil – A little olive oil to get things going and brown the ground beef nicely.
- Ground Beef – I use ground beef for a hearty, filling protein that cooks up quickly. Sometimes I switch ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Crushed Tomatoes – These add a nice, rich tomato flavor to the soup without needing fresh tomatoes and no chopping.
- Beef Broth – Beef broth gives the soup a deep, comforting flavor that pairs well with the ground beef.
- Frozen Vegetables – Frozen veggies make it easy. Again, as I mentioned earlier, no chopping needed! They add color, nutrition, texture, and flavor without any fuss.
- Italian Seasoning – This gives the soup an herby flavor with a mix of oregano, basil, and a few other dried herbs.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder – I like these for quick, simple flavor without having to chop fresh garlic or onions.
- Paprika – Just a bit of paprika for a hint of warmth and a little extra flavor.
- Salt – A pinch of salt to bring everything together, easy to adjust at the end.
- Small Shaped Pasta – I add small pasta like macaroni. It cooks fast and makes the soup even more filling.
- Parsley – A little garnish at the end adds a fresh touch and a bit of color to the soup.
Busy Day Soup Recipe
I start by heating a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven or soup pot. Once it’s hot, I add the ground beef and start browning it, breaking it up with a spatula. I keep cooking until there’s no pink left, and it’s nicely browned all over.
Next, I add in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, frozen veggies, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt. I give everything a good stir, and then let it all simmer for about 15 minutes. Some days if I have more time I might let it go longer, even up to an hour, to really let the flavors blend together.
Once the broth has had time to simmer, I add the pasta. I let it cook for another 15 minutes, or until the pasta is just right, tender but still a little firm. I give it a taste and adjust the salt if needed.
To finish, I sprinkle some parsley on top and serve it right away. And that’s it! A warm, comforting soup with almost no prep, perfect for busy days.
Alpana’s Tips
- Brown the meat well: I like to take my time browning the ground beef because it adds a deeper, richer flavor to the soup.
- Simmer longer if you have time: When I have extra time, I let the soup simmer a bit longer. It really helps the flavors blend together and makes the broth taste even better.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: After it’s done cooking, I always taste the soup and adjust the salt or spices if needed.
- Make it your own: This soup is so adaptable! I often toss in extra veggies, use different pasta, or adjust the seasonings based on what I have in my pantry. It’s the ultimate flexible recipe, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
- No need to thaw veggies: Don’t thaw the frozen vegetables. They’ll cook just fine directly from the freezer.
Variations
Switch the Protein: Sometimes, I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter soup. When I want a meat-free option, I throw in canned beans like kidney beans or chickpeas, they make it hearty and filling.
Add Extra Veggies: If I have fresh or different frozen veggies lying around, like spinach, zucchini, or green beans, I’ll toss them in. It’s a great way to add more flavor and nutrients with what I already have.
Try Different Carb: Any small pasta works, but sometimes I’ll switch it up with rice, quinoa, or orzo for a different texture. If I’m using rice, I know it may take a bit longer to cook.
Make It Spicy: When I’m in the mood for a little heat, I’ll add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a chopped jalapeño, or even a dash of hot sauce to give the soup a kick.
Go Creamy: To make it extra comforting, I sometimes stir in a splash of cream or sprinkle in a bit of shredded cheese at the end for a creamy finish.
Taco Soup Busy Day Soup: Swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning. Add a can of black beans and some corn, then top it with shredded cheese.
And there you have it, my version of Busy Day Soup! This one-pot wonder is my go-to for those hectic days when I still want something warm, cozy, and homemade without the fuss. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it always hits the spot.
Let me know if you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think or how you made it your own. Enjoy every comforting, flavorful spoonful!
Busy Day Soup, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Try these other great soups!
Portuguese Bean Soup
Chicken Pastina Soup
Finnish Salmon Soup
Asopao de Pollo
Ham and Bean Soup
Birria Ramen
Yakamein
Caldo Verde
Busy Day Soup
My Busy Day Soup is great for when you want a hearty meal without the fuss. With ground beef, veggies and pasta, it's a one pot wonder!
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 15oz can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups beef broth
- 12oz (or 2 cups) frozen vegetables
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- salt, to taste
- 1 cup small shaped pasta (like macaroni)
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a dutch oven or soup pot and brown the ground beef, breaking it with a spatula to your desired chunkiness. Sear the meat until it is no longer pink, and brown all over.
- Add in crushed tomatoes, frozen vegetables, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and beef broth. Simmer for 15 minutes. (You can simmer longer, even up to 1 hour if you have time.)
- Add in pasta and cook for 15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked to your liking. Taste and adjust for salt.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers: For storing leftovers, just let the soup cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- If you want to freeze it, cool the soup completely, place it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat gently on the stove.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 333Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 67mgSodium 1197mgCarbohydrates 15gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 26g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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