Everything for this hearty soup can be kept in your pantry or freezer for a speedy, well-rounded meal whenever needed.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent hours rolling dough for homemade dog biscuits, decorating gingerbread houses, and figuring out how to make homemade lotion. These activities are all lots of fun, but none will put dinner on the table—although our dog might argue otherwise!
Given all the festive things one can cook or craft during this busy season, not to mention the myriad of other distractions, weeknight dinner duty can feel uninspired, if not a little burdensome. The time seemed right for a tasty meal with a built-in shortcut or two.
My mother-in-law, Judy, is to thank for this easy soup that delivers filling protein and a hearty helping of vegetables. She received the recipe from a friend years ago, and it’s become one of her go-to meals when extended family congregates. The beefy flavor is a consistent crowd pleaser, the yield can be doubled or tripled as needed, and it reheats well.
All of the ingredients are freezer or pantry staples, making this a convenient meal to have on standby. Canned tomato soup is one of the shortcuts; a bag of frozen vegetables is another. At first glance, these might not seem like the most wholesome choices, but they may be better than you think.
Frozen vegetables are often perceived as a mushy, less healthy alternative to their produce aisle counterparts. However, most frozen vegetables are blanched or steamed and then flash-frozen shortly after harvesting, locking in both taste and nutritional value. In comparison, the time it takes for “fresh” fruit and vegetables to travel from the farm field to one’s dinner plate is often extended in the colder months, when produce is shipped greater distances.
As an interesting side note, it was Clarence Birdseye, of the eponymous frozen food company, who discovered the benefit of flash freezing after ice fishing in what is now Northern Canada in the early 1900s. He noticed how the fish he caught froze almost immediately, and then tasted better once thawed—far better than the frozen fish he was accustomed to eating at home.
Back in the states, he applied this newfound knowledge to seafood and later to vegetables. (The science behind it centers on the size of the ice crystal that forms during the freezing process. In a nutshell, faster freezing = smaller crystals = better taste once thawed.)
I make this hearty soup several times each winter, usually serving it with a side of crusty bread. Paired with grilled cheese sandwiches, it’s quintessential comfort food. Thought I usually whip up a pot for a quick dinner, it’s a welcome lunch on a cold day and leftovers improve with age.
For those looking for low-sodium, gluten-free, or all-natural options, I mention several soup tips in the notes section of the recipe.
Shortcut Beef Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
- 1 small onion or half a large, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 (10-3/4-ounce) cans tomato soup plus 2 cans water*
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen mixed vegetables**
- Optional: freshly ground black pepper, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, and/or Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Sauté the onion and beef in a soup pot over medium heat, breaking up the meat as you go. (If you like to cook your onions down a little more—which helps to concentrate the flavor--start by sautéing only the onions in about 2 teaspoons of olive oil, cooking until softened and slightly golden, 5-7 minutes. Then add the ground beef and proceed.)
- Add the soup, water, frozen veggies, several turns of the pepper mill and a 1/2 teaspoon or so Italian seasoning, if using. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a low simmer for 15-20 minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and/or Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Like many soups, the flavor improves over time so feel free to make in advance and reheat. This soup freezes well, too.
Notes
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