Every day is a busy day. To make those days easier (and delicious!), there’s Busy Day Soup!
The only thing better than hot soup is a hot soup you can throw together quickly. “Busy Day” soup reminds me of a casserole my mom used to make when I was young. She called it “Garbage,” which sounds awful, but the nickname came from the fact that she could use up a lot of leftovers in the fridge to make it.
Busy Day soup doesn’t require your leftovers; however, it is the same concept. It’s for those nights when you need a healthy meal fast. The best part is that you will want to make it any night of the week, whether you are busy or not.
This simple recipe requires only browned ground beef, dry onion soup mix, elbow macaroni, mixed veggies, and a few other ingredients you likely keep in stock at home. It may remind you a bit of chili or stew, since it isn’t a thin soup but rather a chunky one. I like that it isn’t spicy or made with anything too out of the box. It’s the kind of meal that easily feeds and pleases a crowd.
The secret to the best Busy Day soup
The secret to incredible Busy Day soup lies in the dry onion soup mix. It’s such an easy step, yet it really makes the soup. If you’ve ever used dry onion soup mix, you know it is irreplaceable and so important to keep on hand when you need a concentrated umami kick. I love to use it for French onion dip, meatloaf, and always for Busy Day soup. For this recipe, a regular onion doesn’t do the trick. Plus, the point of Busy Day soup is to make things easy. Dry onion soup mix has more than just onions in it, and the flavoring it adds is tough to replicate.
How do I store leftovers?
Making and storing soups ahead of time is a great idea. They reheat perfectly, and sometimes, it seems like they taste even better with each passing day. To store your Busy Day soup, put the leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze your Busy Day soup in the same way for up to 6 months. I like to double the recipe and freeze plenty of the soup to have on hand.
Serving suggestions
Nothing pairs better with a hot bowl of soup than warm bread. This Keto Almond Flour Bread is a healthy choice for Busy Day soup. Almond Flour Crackers are also great for dipping or crumbling into the soup. Finally, I like a chilled salad to complement the heat of the soup. Two of my favorites to enjoy on the side are this Mediterranean Cucumber Salad and this Fresh Corn And Mango Salad.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 package dry onion soup mix
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice (28 ounces)
- 1 12-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 cup whole-wheat elbow macaroni
- Parmesan cheese grated, optional for serving
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Stir in the dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add the frozen mixed vegetables and whole-wheat elbow macaroni to the pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until the macaroni is tender.
- Serve the soup hot, with an option to sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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