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Hamburger Soup is simple to make, budget-friendly, and ready in about 30 minutes. It’s loaded with ground beef, pasta, and vegetables in a rich and flavorful broth.

I serve my Hamburger Soup with a simple Garden Salad and Beer Bread for a satisfying meal that everyone loves.

Bowls of hamburger soup with macaroni and vegetables.

Why We Love This Hamburger Soup Recipe

  • It’s easy to make and very kid friendly.
  • Hamburger Soup with pasta is for potlucks and soup suppers, or for taking to a family in need because it’s easy to make double the batch.
  • Ground beef is very budget friendly and I always have some on hand.
  • Super simple to customize with your own favorite veggies and it stores and freezes beautifully.

Hamburger Soup Ingredients

  • Onion – about ¾ of a cup, diced.
  • Garlic cloves – minced
  • Lean ground beef – I use a leaner 85/15 but you can use whatever you have on hand. Ground turkey or chicken will also work.
  • Condensed tomato soup – This will add flavor to the broth without adding bulk. My family doesn’t like tomatoes in soup, but you could add a can of diced tomatoes or tomato sauce if you prefer.
  • Beef Broth – the base of the soup. Use canned broth, or some bouillon and water.
  • Corn or other canned/frozen vegetables
  • Small pasta – I prefer to cook the pasta separately because if it’s cooked in the soup the starches will thicken the broth and when stored it will continue to soak the broth up.

How to Make Hamburger Soup

  1. Cook the hamburger. Start by heating olive oil in a 5-quart soup pot or dutch oven. Add some diced onion and saute for a few minutes, until they begin to soften. Crumble ground beef and stir garlic into the pot with the onions and cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain as much of the grease as possible. (I use paper towels to soak it up). Be sure to add a little salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
  2. Add remaining ingredients. Stir in beef broth, tomato soup, and water (just fill the tomato soup can with water). Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the corn or any frozen veggies you have on hand and simmer until the veggies are heated through.
  3. Cook the pasta. While the soup is simmering, start boiling water for the pasta and cook it to al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Finish and serve. Stir in the cooked pasta, divide into bowls, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot.

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

My recipe doesn’t have a ton of veggies in it, but I often add in what I have on hand like carrots, zucchini, green beans, or diced tomatoes. Frozen corn or frozen peas are easy additions.

You can saute raw vegetables, like carrots and celery, with the onions to soften. If using frozen vegetables, add them during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.

Or, try my Smoky Vegetable Beef Soup for a veggie-packed spin on hamburger soup.

Soup pot filled with soup with hamburger, macaroni and vegetables and a ladle.

FAQs

How long does Hamburger Soup last in the fridge?

Keep leftovers fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

Can you freeze Hamburger Soup?

Without the pasta, this soup freezes beautifully. Let it cool, then pour into a freezer bag or into a freezer container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in a pot on the stove, adding fresh pasta if desired.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Feel free to lighten it up with ground turkey or ground chicken instead of the hamburger. You’ll want to use chicken broth in place of beef broth in this case.

What spices should I put in hamburger soup?

Add some smokiness with paprika or chili powder, or make it spicy with a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce. For added flavor, add a couple of teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, or some herbs like oregano, basil, Italian seasoning and bay leaf.

Can you boil hamburger meat?

You can boil ground beef! Place the meat in a large pot and cover it with water. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula then bring the water to a boil. Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for several minutes or until the meat is fully cooked. Drain and season.

A ladle holding a serving of hamburger soup.

Expert Tips

I have learned a few tricks over the years to keep this tasty soup fresh tasting, even with leftovers.

  • Be careful with the pasta. Ideally, you want to cook the pasta separately (any small pasta that you have on hand will do) to help keep it from getting mushy. If I’m in a hurry though, and not planning for leftovers, I’ll just drop the pasta right in the pot and let it cook with the soup.
  • Feel free to customize: I will also customize the soup with the veggies I have on hand, so this recipe is your baseline that you can make completely your own. Fresh veggies, like carrots and celery, can be cooked with the onions and beef. Frozen vegetables should be added and simmered with the soup.
  • Potatoes are a great substitution for pasta. Dice potatoes into chunks and par boil before adding to the soup. If you want to cook them with the soup, that’s fine, but keep in mind that it will thicken your soup.
  • Drain the grease: Browning the ground beef adds a ton of flavor but it can also add grease. Make sure to soak up the excess grease with paper towels or drain it from the pot.
Bowl of hamburger Soup with Macaroni and a spoon.

More Tasty Soup Recipes

Recipe

Hamburger Soup

4.91 from 52 votes
Hamburger Soup is simple, budget friendly and ready in 30 minutes. It's made with ground beef, pasta and vegetables in a rich and flavorful broth.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 of a medium sized onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 10 ounce can condensed tomato soup plus 1 can-ful of water
  • 14 ounce can beef broth or about 2 cups
  • 1 cup of corn or other canned/frozen vegetables
  • 1 cup small pasta cooked to package directions (or uncooked*)
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Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in a 5 quart pot or dutch oven. Add onion and saute for a few minutes, until they begin to soften. Crumble ground beef and stir garlic into the pot with the onions and cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain as much of the grease as possible. (I use paper towels to soak up the fat).
  • Season beef with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in beef broth, tomato soup and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn heat down to a simmer (medium to medium-low). Add the vegetables and continue to simmer until vegetables are hot,; about 6-8 minutes. Stir in cooked pasta.
  • Divide into bowls, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot.
  • *If cooking the pasta IN the soup, add with the vegetables and simmer until pasta is tender.

Notes

  • If you are short on time or just would prefer to make the soup all in one pot, you can cook the pasta in the broth as it simmers. It will take 10-15 minutes, depending on your heat setting and the type of pasta. Keep in mind, the pasta will get mushy the longer it sits, which makes leftovers difficult.
  • Potatoes are a great substitution for the pasta. Dice potatoes into chunks and par boil before adding to the soup. If you want to cook them with the soup, that’s fine, but keep in mind that it will thicken your hamburger soup.
Keyword hamburger soup

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 21gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 490mgPotassium: 678mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1726IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook.

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4.91 from 52 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Pamela Giles says:

    It is the best hamburger soup recipe I’ve ever had. It is delicious. My whole family loved it.

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by to share Pamela.

  2. JOANNE KEATING says:

    we love this recipe but add fresh carrots
    tiny amount of shredded fine cabbage and minced celery stems only makes it really good

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s awesome Joanne! Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Cherise says:

    Loved this soup!!! So flavorful and hearty on a cold winter day. I modified a bit and added celery and a can of stewed tomatoes. Delicious!!! Thank you for the recipe, I will definitely make it again!

    1. Kristin says:

      That’s awesome Cherise! Thanks for stopping by.

  4. carol hawley says:

    Hi Kristin: I just made your recipe for “hamburger vegetable soup” It looks & smells so good,I know it will be delicious for dinner tonight.

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by carol.

  5. Deb says:

    I’m going to make this but instead of tomato soup I’m going to use stewed tomatoes and chunks of celery…

  6. WENDY CHARBONNEAU says:

    My family loved, loved, loved this recipe! Ingredients on hand, simple to make and a crowd pleaser! Doesn’t get any better than that! PS Used fresh corn off the cob! Wowser

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thanks for the awesome feedback Wendy.

  7. ally says:

    Made this but didn’t add pasta. Then for the week, I boiled tortellini noodles one night, I did rice with it another night, cooked a potato in the microwave and sliced it and added green peas
    into it another night. Made several different options and just one base of soup. Really great!! thanks for the recipe.

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      That’s such a great idea!

  8. Ja says:

    I have a very similar recipe as this one that I’ve made for years – the only difference is that I use cut up potatoes (sometimes new potatoes) instead of the pasta. Your recipe is delish as is. I’ll be adding it to my recipe file. Thanks for sharing

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Ja! Thanks for stopping by.

  9. Danny says:

    Nice and easy and very tasty. And I am 100% in favor with the addition of corn to the soup!!!!! Works for me!

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thanks for stopping by Danny.

  10. Jackie Hernandez says:

    So if one wanted to use potatoes instead of pasta, how many would you recommend? I was thinking of using russet, would 2 be enough?

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      1-2 large russet should be enough. Peel and cut into small cubes. It will thicken your soup, so you might want to consider cooking the potatoes separately and adding them at the end.

  11. Mazie Mears says:

    This quick easy soup is wonderful. I can’t say enough about. Even my husband raved about it!

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thank you for your feedback Mazie.

  12. Melanie Sanchez says:

    This recipe sounds very similar to mexican meatball soup. Made pretty much the same way but roll hamburger meat into meatballs. After 30 minutes serve in soup mugs an top with grated motzerella cheese an cilantro.
    I want very much to try your version.

    1. Kristin says:

      Thank you so much for stopping by Melanie!

    2. Amy says:

      I loved this soup! I am now making it again a few weeks later if that tells you anything.

  13. Lisa A. Gomez says:

    I don’t usually take the time to do reviews but I did for this one. I made this last night and my husband and I absolutely love it! My husband is a picky eater and even questioned the corn in it lol, but he loved it! I’m sure I will be making this every month. (I used extra onion power because we don’t like onions)

    1. Kristin says:

      Hi Lisa, Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback. Glad that you both enjoyed the soup.
      Thanks for stopping by.

  14. Rebecca Payne says:

    This is my kind of recipe. Thank you so much for sharing.

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome Rebecca! Thanks for stopping by.

  15. Hal D Rhoads says:

    I call this Yum! soup. lol When making it I add extra onion, and add ditalini pasta near the end of cooking. What surprised me about this soup was the addition of a can of tomato soup. That certainly adds a nice little depth. Much appreciate your hard work ….and yummy soups.

    1. Kristin says:

      You are so welcome! Thanks for stopping by.

  16. Suzanne Grace says:

    How do I get the nutritional information for each of your recipes. Thank you

    1. Kristin Maxwell says:

      We are working to add nutritional content to each of our recipes. If you need the info and it’s not included I recommend using a site like myfitnesspal.com.

  17. Verna Grice says:

    What type of pasta is that?

      1. Michael says:

        Sorry, I like the recipe, however on the question of pasta, none of your images of the completed recipe depict Orecchiette past, not even close. However, Orecchietta would be a great pasta choice as long as you make sure not to overcook it. It must be served while still al dente!

        1. Kristin Maxwell says:

          Hi Michael, You are correct. That answer was to a question asked 4 years ago and the photos have since been updated.

  18. Amber says:

    Love it. Its so easy & the whole fam loves it. I did top my with cilantro though, i love the little pop of flavor it ads. So good

    1. Kristin says:

      Nice! Thank you so much for stopping by Amber!

  19. Maurine A Shaughnessy says:

    Just finished making the hamburger soup and it is delicious. Easy to make. Thank you

  20. Lisa says:

    Amazing soup! I devoured mine so quickly that I’m already looking forward to tomorrow to eat the leftovers! Haha.. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    1. Kristin says:

      Thanks for your review, Lisa. Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

  21. Linda Card says:

    Thanks for the info will definitely try it for the crockpot, when is the best time to add the noodles???

    1. Kristin says:

      If you are going to add the pasta to the soup to cook, it will take 10-15 minutes. You’ll want to watch it though because the boil point of the soup and the type of pasta you use can alter the time.

  22. Linda Card says:

    Could this recipe be made in the crockpot, I use my crockpot more than cooking on top of the stove.Thanks would appreciate any info on this.

    1. Kristin says:

      You can definitely make this in the crockpot. You will just need to cook the ground beef first, and put everything on low for probably 5-6 hours.

  23. Chris DeVault says:

    Was wondering, have u doubled or tripled the hamburger soup? Didn’t know if there would be variances on the ingredients? I can’t wait to make this! Thank u for sharing.

    1. Kristin says:

      This would be a very easy recipe to double or triple! Just make sure the meat is all cooked through before adding the broth, and you’ll want to be sure to drain it.

  24. Jody says:

    Does anyone know how this freezes?

    1. Kristin says:

      If you plan to freeze it, I would cook the pasta separately. Minus the pasta it will freeze nicely.

  25. Kasey says:

    Did you top with cilantro or parsley?

    1. Kristin says:

      Parsley.

  26. sandra soltero says:

    My family has made this soup for over 50 years except we use tomato sauce instead of soup and we add diced potatoes they don’t get mushy just better!

  27. Nancy says:

    After browning ground beef, drain in a sieve and rinse under hot water. Voila No grease

    1. Kristin says:

      Yes that is definitely an option if you are trying to cut calories and fat! It does take quite a bit of flavor with it though. 😉

      1. Marilyn says:

        So I don’t loose too much flavour I use a sheet of paper towel and swish it in the fried ground beef to pick up some of the fat. Works well!!!

  28. Christy says:

    Found this recipe on Pinterest and SO glad I did! It’s quick, easy and very good! My whole family LOVES it! Thanks!!!

  29. Jess says:

    How much water do I add?

    1. Kristin says:

      Just the tomato soup can-ful.

      1. Angela says:

        Is there a video on how. To make it

        1. Kristin says:

          There is a video in the post, but it’s so easy to make!

    2. Gwen Voegtle says:

      The recipe says one can of tomato soup PLUS one can of water. Is this an error as Kristin says there is no water added to the recipe.

      1. Kristin says:

        That comment was an error and I’ve updated it to reflect that. Sorry!

  30. Tracey says:

    Can you substitute the beef for ground turkey and chicken or vegetable broth?

    1. Kristin says:

      Sure! It would alter the taste a bit, but I still think it would be delicious!

  31. Meredith says:

    Not much of a cook here. When it says 1 can of tomato soup, do I use a 10 oz can or a larger size can? Thanks!

    1. Kristin says:

      Yes it’s a 10 oz can of the condensed soup. 🙂

  32. Laura says:

    I tried the recipe tonight and it was delicious!

  33. Laura says:

    I tried it tonight and it was AWESOME!!!

  34. Renna Hanlon says:

    I made this to take on a camping trip (in a camper, I don’t tent rough it, lol). It’s really good. I made a couple of modifications. I had some tomato juice in the fridge that I was wanting to use up before we left, so I used it in place of the can of tomato soup. Also, because Hubby & I like spicy foods, I added in a can of Rotel tomatoes, and sprinkled in some cajun seasoning. Along with a pan of cornbread, it makes a hearty meal to eat out by the fire on a chilly night. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  35. Wendy says:

    I made this soup for dinner last week, for my family of 5 + my mom. It was absolutely delicious. There was none left in the pot! I added a can of green beans. The “soup” had a wonderful flavor!

  36. Anonymous says:

    I made this delish soup last night….wow, simple but sooooo tasty….great comfort food. I always have pre-cooked ground chuck in foodsaver bags in the freezer so it was a cinch to make. I cooked the wagon wheel pasta right in the soup/broth so that saved a step as well. I sent some in my daughter’s school lunch today and the serving that’s left has my name on it for lunch today! 🙂 Glad I found the recipe!

  37. Anonymous says:

    I’ve made this one for years, except we always added a couple can’s of mixed vegetables or frozen mixed veggies to it, and served it with Beer bread. If you need it more juicy, just add tomatoe juice. My experience has been that if you keep the pasta seperate & add it to the individual bowls at serving time, that it freezes better, it doesn’t get a mushy when it’s thawed again.

  38. Lenore T says:

    I made this tonight and it was WONDERFUL! What a great comfort food. I added some more vegetables, cut up celery, carrots, and put a can of green beans because there was not any nice fresh ones at the supermarket.
    This is definitely a keeper! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂

  39. Anonymous says:

    thank you for the update–i’m trying this tonight!

  40. DannyH says:

    This looks great! I can’t wait to try it. I was going to double it and freeze, what would be the best way to freeze it?

  41. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says:

    I have updated the post to reflect that I use uncooked pasta. 🙂

  42. Anonymous says:

    i also would like to know if the pasta is cooked or uncooked?? thanks!

  43. Anonymous says:

    Is the pasta cooked or uncooked when you add to soup?

  44. Kristi Dalberg says:

    We made this soup tonight, and it was delicious! I found it on Pinterest and loved how quick and simple it was, yet so warm and good! Both of my kids (1 and 3) loved it, and they’re picky-eaters, too! Thanks for sharing!

    And to the commenter above me…it makes a lot!

  45. Anonymous says:

    does anyone know how much soup this recipe makes?

    1. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says:

      It makes quite a bit. I am able to feed myself and my two kids, as well as have some for lunch and a whole other meal for us.

  46. Anonymous says:

    Ugh auto correct! Crock pot! Lol!

  47. Anonymous says:

    If I make this in my crackpot do you think I could use uncooked pasta?

    1. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says:

      I would add the pasta during the last half hour or so and crank the crockpot up to high. Just keep an eye on it.

  48. Anonymous says:

    If I make this in my crackpot do you think I could use uncooked pasta?

  49. Amy G. says:

    Thanks for the recipe! Making it today. Just to clarify…is the pasta cooked or uncooked when you add it to the soup? It says cooked in the ingredients, but then says to add and cook until al dente.
    Thanks so much!

  50. Laura says:

    How many servings does this make?

    1. Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home says:

      at least 6-8.

  51. Anonymous says:

    Was very good and flavorful!! I also found on pinterest. Used fiori pasta and told my daughter it was flower soup. We all enjoyed this!

  52. Chelsea says:

    I too found this on Pinterest and my family loves it. Its definitely one that is in our monthly meal rotation. I like how simple and quick it is to throw together, especially with our busy schedules during the week. I too love to throw in some extra vegetables to make it more healthier. Thanks for sharing!

  53. Bamagrl75 says:

    Made this tonight and it was sooooo good. Especially with some cornbread and a little hot sauce. Will definitely make it again. Thanks!!

  54. Armywife mom of 3 says:

    Found the recipe on pinterest and I am tying it tonight! Hoping my kids eat it. They are terribly picky sometimes. But this looks too yummy to skip over. I am going to toss in more veggies to try to make a heartier soup.

  55. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says:

    P.S. NEVERMIND!! I just scrolled up and saw your PINTEREST tab on your right side-bar! Duh!!! 🙂
    gv

  56. Gloria (The Little Red House with the White Porch) says:

    Saw this on Pinterest! Thanks for sharing! I think my son would love this, me too. 🙂
    Have you joined Pinterst? If not, see my recent post and email me and I can send you an invite. gloria.vincent@yahoo.com
    You can post your own photos of your recipes and people will come to your site to get the recipe. Although maybe you are doing that already. 😉
    Best,
    Gloria

  57. Kelli- AdventurezInChild'Rearing says:

    yum! glad I found ya- I’m doing #31 days of Exploring God’s Creation (#family #outdoors) 🙂

    1. Rose Flores says:

      Love all these blogs! I have been cooking for over 40 years but I always learn something new and you young people are so, so creative! Thank you for the great recipes.