Busy Day Soup

As a busy home cook, I understand the challenges of preparing a delicious, nutritious meal on those busy days when time is limited. That’s why I’ve created my version of a busy day soup recipe perfect for busy weeknights. 

Packed with lots of vegetables and full of flavor, this hearty soup can be made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or even in an Instant Pot. Plus, it’s versatile enough to accommodate any substitutions or variations you might want to try. Put bluntly, an easy soup recipe that will save the day. The best part of this recipe? It uses refrigerator and pantry staples you probably already have.

What You’ll Need

Onions. Onions are a staple in most soup recipes, as it is here. It provides a sweet and savory flavor.

Crushed tomatoes. Tomatoes add acidity and brightness to the soup. They also add a variety of texture.

Onion soup mix. This packet adds depth of flavor and seasoning to the soup. It also reduces prep time for you and the number of ingredients needed. That’s a win-win in my book!

Mixed vegetables. These include carrots, celery, corn, green beans, and peppers, which add color, texture, and nutrients. Use fresh, frozen, or even canned vegetables.

Ground meat. Ground meat adds a hearty and protein-rich addition to this soup. Ground beef is a typical meat to use in this soup, but we’ll cover other options below.

Pasta noodles. Uncooked macaroni noodles, elbows, or any other pasta of your choice provide a satisfying and filling element to the soup. And pasta, who doesn’t like pasta?

Olive oil. This heart-healthy fat sautes and pulls out the aroma of both the onions and garlic. 

Vegetable or beef broth. The broth forms the base of the soup. We’ll go over more broth substitutions below.

Garlic. Garlic adds a robust, pungent flavor to the soup.

Salt and black pepper. These basic seasonings enhance the flavors of the other ingredients. Season your pot of soup as you go. 

How to Make Busy Day Soup

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (optional, you can also use ground turkey)
• 2 cups mixed fresh or frozen veggies (carrots, celery, corn, green beans, and bell peppers), fresh or frozen
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
• 1 (1 oz) packet onion soup mix
• 1 cup macaroni noodles (or other small pasta)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2. If using meat, add it to the pot and cook until browned. Drain fat, if necessary.
3. Stir in the mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, broth, and onion soup mix. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Meanwhile, cook the pasta separately, according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings with salt and black pepper, as needed. Add the cooked pasta to the soup just before serving.
6. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or grated cheese.

Recipe Tips for the Best Soup

Sauté the aromatics. Cooking the onions and garlic in olive oil before adding the other ingredients helps to release their natural flavors and aromas. This creates a more flavorful base for your soup.

Brown the meat. If you’re using ground beef, Italian sausage, or another type of meat, be sure to brown it properly before adding the other ingredients. Browning enhances the taste and texture of the meat and adds depth of flavor to the soup.

Use quality ingredients. While this soup is designed to be versatile and use what you have on hand, using fresh and high-quality ingredients whenever possible will result in a more flavorful and satisfying soup. Fresh vegetables and good-quality broth make a significant difference in taste.

Season as you go. Proper seasoning is key to a delicious soup. Season the soup with salt and pepper as you cook, tasting and adjusting as needed. This allows you to layer flavors and achieve a well-balanced taste.

Simmer the soup. Let the soup simmer for at least 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. This allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to release their natural juices, creating a richer, more flavorful soup.

Substitutions and Variations of Busy Day Soup

Get creative with your protein. Swap the Italian sausage or ground beef for ground turkey or even leftover shredded chicken. You can even use ground bison or leftover chili meat! You can also try plant-based meat if you’re a vegetarian or vegan.

Go vegetarian. Omit the meat and use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.

Go gluten-free. Use gluten-free pasta noodles or rice. There are so many tasty versions of gluten-free pasta, from red lentil pasta to rice and corn to chickpea pasta. My personal favorite, which tastes incredibly close to actual pasta, is Rummo. It’s Italian, so you know it’s good!

Swap out your veggies. Add or substitute other veggies, such as zucchini, spinach, or peas. You can also try using frozen broccoli. 

Busy Day Soup FAQs

Can I make this soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?

Yes, this recipe is adaptable for slow cookers and Instant Pots. For a slow cooker, add all the ingredients (except the pasta) to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving. For the Instant Pot, use the sauté function for cooking the onions, garlic, and meat (if using), then add the remaining ingredients (except the pasta). Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release. Cook the pasta separately and add it just before serving.

Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! To make this soup vegetarian, leave out the meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. For a vegan version, make sure the soup mix is vegan-friendly, or use a homemade vegan seasoning blend.

Can I freeze leftover soup?

Yes, this easy recipe freezes well. Allow the soup to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the soup in the fridge overnight or in the microwave using the defrost setting before reheating and serving.

I recommend freezing this soup without the noodles because it could affect the pasta’s texture. 

What other vegetables can I add to the soup?

This soup is versatile, and you can add or substitute various vegetables based on your preferences or what you have on hand. Additional vegetables include zucchini, spinach, peas, kale, or even cubed sweet potatoes.

Can I use gluten-free pasta or rice?

Yes, you can easily substitute gluten-free pasta or rice in this recipe. Cook the gluten-free pasta or rice separately according to the package instructions, then add it to the soup just before serving.

How can I add more protein to the soup?

Adding a can or two of beans is the easiest way to boost the protein in this soup. You can also add lentils or leftover cooked chicken or turkey.

Have questions or suggestions about this busy day soup recipe? Leave them in the comments below.