These two recipes were posted some time back, and had been removed for inclusion in my soup cookbook (which is still in the throes of obscurity behind several folders and other projects).

Recently I’d been asked for my favorite hamburger soup recipes, so I thought I’d bring them out again.

These soups are hearty enough to satisfy the pickiest of palates, and fun enough to have the kids smiling from ear to ear. One of the great things about these, for the working moms anyway, you can prepare the bulk of the ingredients the night before, mix them up in the slow cooker in the morning before work, turn it on low, and let it simmer all day. Pick up a baguette or crusty rolls on the way home, and you’ve got dinner all ready and waiting for you.

What is the best part? Affordability. Each of these recipes is made with everyday ingredients, and serves a family of six for at least one meal; perhaps someone gets leftovers for their lunch the next day!

Hamburger Soup

Ingredients

2 lbs lean ground beef
3 quarts water
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tbsp parsley flakes
1 541ml can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
3 c frozen mixed vegetables
1 can drained, rinsed kidney beans (optional)
1 c uncooked elbow macaroni, or baby shells
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper and seasoning salt to taste

Directions

Brown ground beef in your stock pot or large saucepan. When cooked, add the water, soup mix, onion, celery and parsley flakes. When the onion and celery are tender, add tomatoes and juice, frozen vegetables and optional kidney beans. Simmer 15 minutes before bringing to a boil, then add the pasta, salt, seasoning salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Simmer until pasta is cooked.

Garnish with sprigs of fresh parsley, and serve with crusty rolls or bread and fresh butter.

*If you will be using a slow cooker, prepare the soup as above – without the pasta – and let it rest in the refrigerator over night. Add the pasta to the slow cooker in the morning.*

Taco Soup

Ingredients

2 lb lean ground beef
1.5 quarts water
1 pkg taco seasoning (approx. 3 tbsp)
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped small
1 541ml can diced tomatoes
1 litre tomato juice
1 can baked beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 c medium or hot salsa
1 c kernel corn, canned or frozen
1 c uncooked rice

Directions

Brown ground beef in large saucepan or stock pot, adding water, seasoning, onion, green pepper, tomatoes, juice, beans, salsa and corn after. Bring to a boil, then add the rice. Lower the temperature, and simmer for one hour.

Serve with tortilla chips, garnished with hot pepper rings and a dollop of sour cream.

*If you will be using a slow cooker, prepare the soup as above – without the rice – and let it rest in the refrigerator over night. Add the rice to the slow cooker in the morning.*

Enjoy!
<3 JL