Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Hamburger Soup

There’s something deeply comforting about wrapping your hands around a steaming bowl of Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Hamburger Soup on a crisp evening. This delicious beef soup brings together the humble charm of ground beef with a rainbow of vegetables, all bathed in a rich tomato broth that’s simmered low and slow until flavors blend into a harmonious melody. Cozy up with a bowl of this hearty slow-cooked beef hamburger soup, perfect for chilly evenings! Whether your home is filled with laughter from a busy household or you’re savoring a quiet night in, the warmth of this comfort food instantly elevates any mealtime to a special occasion.

As a beginner-friendly dinner or lunch option, this recipe demands just 20 minutes of prep and then lets your slow cooker work its magic. In 6–8 hours on low (or 3–4 hours on high), you’ll transform simple ingredients into a satisfying, soul-warming meal. The combination of fresh carrots, celery, and a medley of frozen peas, corn, and green beans means you’re getting a nutritional boost in every spoonful. With approximately 350 calories per serving, it’s an easy recipe that feels indulgent without tipping the scales. Grab that slow cooker, embrace the joy of hands-off cooking, and let this hearty meal become your go-to comfort cooking ritual.

KEY INGREDIENTS IN HEARTY SLOW-COOKED BEEF HAMBURGER SOUP

Before we dive into the step-by-step, let’s talk about the star players that make this hamburger soup truly irresistible. Each ingredient has a specific role, from building rich depth to adding fresh color and texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ground beef: Provides hearty protein and a savory foundation that enriches the broth. Browning it first unlocks caramelized flavors that deepen the overall taste.
• Onion: Adds natural sweetness and a hint of sharpness when sautéed with garlic, creating an aromatic base for the soup.
• Garlic: Brings fragrant warmth. Minced and cooked briefly, it prevents bitterness and ensures a smooth, mellow garlic essence.
• Carrots: Offer subtle sweetness and a vibrant orange hue. They tenderize during long cooking, balancing savory and sweet notes.
• Celery: Contributes a mild, herbal freshness and a satisfying crunch that softens with slow cooking.
• Diced tomatoes with juice: Introduce bright acidity and tomato richness to the broth, layering complexity in every spoonful.
• Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the broth for a more luxurious mouthfeel.
• Beef broth: Forms the liquid base, bonding all components with a robust, meaty backbone.
• Worcestershire sauce: Enhances umami depth with tangy, salty undertones that mimic slow-roasted flavors.
• Thyme, basil, and oregano: These aromatic herbs infuse the soup with earthy, slightly sweet, and peppery notes for a well-rounded herb profile.
• Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that unlock and balance the natural flavors of every ingredient.
• Frozen green beans, corn, and peas: Convenient veggies that add pops of color and fresh taste when stirred in toward the end of cooking.
• Bay leaf: Releases delicate herbal notes during the long simmer, then is removed before serving.
• Uncooked pasta: Provides chewy comfort and helps make the soup feel even more substantial without overpowering the broth.

HOW TO MAKE HEARTY SLOW-COOKED BEEF HAMBURGER SOUP

Ready to bring these ingredients together? Follow these detailed steps for a hassle-free slow-cooker meal that tastes like it took all day to create.

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula. This initial step starts the Maillard reaction, locking in savory notes. Once browned, carefully drain any excess fat to keep the broth from becoming greasy.

2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté until the onion turns translucent and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. This softens the onion’s bite and mellows the garlic’s pungency.

3. Transfer the beef, onion, and garlic mixture into your slow cooker, spreading it evenly across the bottom to form a flavorful base layer.

4. To the slow cooker, add the sliced carrots, chopped celery, diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, and beef broth. Use a spoon to gently stir, distributing the tomato paste throughout the liquid so it dissolves evenly.

5. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, thyme, basil, oregano, and season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Give it another good mix so the seasonings coat every ingredient.

6. Nestle the bay leaf into the center of the mixture and cover the slow cooker with its lid, ensuring minimal steam escapes during cooking.

7. Cook on low for 6–8 hours, or on high for 3–4 hours. During this time, the vegetables will soften, the flavors will meld, and the broth will deepen in color.

8. About 30 minutes before you plan to serve, lift the lid and add the frozen green beans, corn, peas, and uncooked pasta. Stir carefully to combine and distribute the pasta so it cooks evenly.

9. Replace the lid and continue cooking on high until the pasta is tender—usually about 25–30 minutes, depending on the variety you choose.

10. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Give the soup one final stir to ensure everything is incorporated.

11. Serve hot in bowls, pairing each helping with a slice of crusty bread or hearty toast to soak up every last drop of that savory broth.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR HEARTY SLOW-COOKED BEEF HAMBURGER SOUP

When it comes to plating and serving this rich, comforting soup, there are a few delightful touches that take it from homey to memorable. Consider pairing the rustic flavors with complementary textures and garnishes that elevate each spoonful:

• Crusty French bread: Tear off a piece of fresh loaf and dunk it into the steaming broth. The chewy crumb soaks up liquid beautifully, adding a crispy contrast to the tender vegetables.
• Shredded cheese: Sprinkle a handful of sharp cheddar or mozzarella on top of each bowl. The cheese melts into rivulets of gooey goodness that marry perfectly with the seasoned meat and herbs.
• Fresh herbs: Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil for a bright, herbal lift that cuts through the richness and adds a pop of green.
• Cracked black pepper and olive oil drizzle: A quick grind of pepper and a gentle swirl of extra-virgin olive oil bring a finishing flourish, adding depth and a subtle fruity undertone to each serving.

HOW TO STORE HEARTY SLOW-COOKED BEEF HAMBURGER SOUP

Once the last spoonful is enjoyed, you might find yourself dreaming of tomorrow’s leftovers. Proper storage ensures you retain that freshly simmered taste and texture:

• Store in airtight containers: Divide the cooled soup into individual portions and seal in containers. This prevents the broth from absorbing any fridge odors and keeps the vegetables from drying out.
• Refrigerate within two hours: Let the soup cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then place it in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
• Freeze for extended storage: For longer preservation (up to 3 months), transfer soup into freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat slowly: To avoid overcooked vegetables and mushy pasta, thaw completely and rewarm on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until just heated through.

CONCLUSION

Bringing this Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Hamburger Soup to your table is about more than just following a simple, beginner-friendly recipe—it’s about savoring the process of creating something nourishing and soul-warming. From the moment you brown the beef and sauté the onion and garlic, you’re building layers of flavor that develop over hours in a slow cooker, requiring minimal hands-on time but delivering maximum taste and satisfaction. This dinner or lunch option offers a perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and carbs, all in one comforting bowl with around 350 calories per serving. Whether you’re cooking for a busy family night or meal-prepping for the workweek ahead, this hamburger soup checks all the boxes for an easy recipe that resonates with comfort food fans. Feel free to print and save this article for quick reference, or bookmark it in your digital cookbook so you can whip it up whenever you need a little extra warmth.

You’ll also find a helpful FAQ section below to answer any lingering questions about substitutions, dietary tweaks, or timing adjustments. And if you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out—drop a comment, share your favorite tweaks, or let me know if you need any guidance as you cook. Your feedback helps me keep these recipes tuned to real kitchens and real appetites. Happy cooking, and here’s to cozy meals and full hearts!

Print Recipe

Hearty Slow-Cooked Beef Hamburger Soup

Author: Marcus Stone Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 20 mins Rest Time 10 mins Total Time 30 mins

Calories: 350

Description

This beef hamburger soup combines savory ground beef with fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, simmered to perfection for a comforting meal that's sure to warm your heart.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

• 4 cups beef broth

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon thyme

• 1 teaspoon basil

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup frozen green beans

• 1 cup frozen corn

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 1 bay leaf

• ¹⁄₂ cup uncooked pasta (e.g., macaroni or small shells)

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
4. To the slow cooker, add carrots, celery, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, and beef broth.
5. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, thyme, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Add the bay leaf and cover the slow cooker.
7. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
8. About 30 minutes before serving, add the frozen green beans, corn, peas, and pasta to the slow cooker.
9. Stir well, cover, and continue to cook on high until the pasta is tender.
10. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
11. Serve hot with crusty bread or a slice of hearty toast.

Note

• Browning the beef and onion before slow cooking improves the depth of flavor.
• Feel free to add other vegetables you have on hand, such as bell peppers or squash.
• To make this dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta variety.
• Soup freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Keywords: beef soup, slow cooker, comfort food, hamburger soup, easy recipe, hearty meal