Hearty Hamburger Minestrone
Savor the comforting flavors of Hearty Hamburger Minestrone, a delicious and nutritious twist on the classic vegetable soup. This recipe combines seasoned ground beef with vibrant vegetables, hearty pasta, and rich broth, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Whether you're serving it on a chilly evening or sharing it with friends, this dish is sure to please everyone with its robust taste and wholesome ingredients. Don't forget to top it with fresh grated Parmesan cheese for that extra touch of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (browned)
onion
1 medium, chopped (chopped)
garlic
1 clove, crushed (crushed)
chicken or beef broth
1 1/4 cups (liquid)
celery
1 stalk, thinly sliced (about 1 cup) (sliced)
zucchini
1 small (about 1 cup), sliced (sliced)
cabbage
1 cup, shredded (shredded)
elbow macaroni or broken spaghetti
1/2 cup, uncooked (uncooked)
instant beef bouillon
2 teaspoons, dry (dry)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (dry)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
whole tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (undrained)
kidney beans
1 (8 ounce) can (undrained)
whole kernel corn
1 (8 ounce) can (undrained)
Parmesan cheese
to taste (grated)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, over medium heat, add the ground beef, chopped onion, and crushed garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned all over. Drain any excess fat.
2
Add the sliced celery, zucchini, shredded cabbage, and uncooked elbow macaroni or broken spaghetti to the pot, stirring to combine.
3
Pour in the chicken or beef broth, followed by the dry instant beef bouillon, Italian seasoning, salt, undrained whole tomatoes (breaking them up with a fork), kidney beans, and whole kernel corn. Stir well.
4
Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce the heat to low to achieve a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the pasta is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
5
Ladle the minestrone into bowls and serve hot, topped with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Hamburger Minestrone?
It is a nutritious twist on the classic vegetable soup that combines seasoned ground beef, vegetables, pasta, and a rich broth.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of ground beef, which is browned before adding other ingredients.
Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Yes, you can use either 1 1/4 cups of chicken broth or beef broth as the liquid base.
What vegetables are included in this minestrone?
The soup includes onion, celery, zucchini, shredded cabbage, whole tomatoes, kidney beans, and whole kernel corn.
How should I prepare the zucchini?
You should use one small zucchini, which is about 1 cup, and slice it before adding it to the pot.
What kind of pasta works best for this soup?
The recipe suggests using 1/2 cup of uncooked elbow macaroni or broken spaghetti.
Do I need to cook the pasta before adding it to the soup?
No, you add the elbow macaroni or broken spaghetti uncooked directly into the pot with the vegetables.
What is the recommended cooking vessel for this recipe?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for browning the beef and simmering the soup.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, cover the pot and simmer on low for about 15 minutes.
Do I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, you should use one 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes undrained, breaking them up with a fork.
Should I drain the kidney beans and corn?
No, both the 8-ounce can of kidney beans and the 8-ounce can of whole kernel corn should be added undrained.
What seasonings are used in Hearty Hamburger Minestrone?
The recipe uses dry instant beef bouillon, Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed garlic.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for one clove of garlic, which should be crushed.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the description highlights that this recipe is perfect for both family dinners and meal prep.
What topping is suggested for serving?
A generous sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan cheese is recommended as a topping.
How do I handle the whole tomatoes in the recipe?
Once added to the pot, you should break the whole tomatoes up into smaller pieces using a fork.
What should I do after browning the beef?
After browning the beef with onion and garlic, you must drain any excess fat before adding the vegetables.
How much celery is needed?
You need one stalk of celery, thinly sliced, which equals approximately 1 cup.
What amount of bouillon should I use?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of dry instant beef bouillon.
Can I adjust the salt level?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/2 teaspoon of salt, but notes it can be adjusted to taste.
How much cabbage is in the soup?
The recipe includes 1 cup of shredded cabbage.
Is this recipe considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and described as having comforting flavors.
What size are the canned beans and corn?
Both the kidney beans and the whole kernel corn come in 8-ounce cans.
What is the primary flavor profile of the soup?
It is a robust, Italian-style vegetable soup with savory beef and herbal notes from Italian seasoning.
How many total ingredients are listed?
There are 15 distinct ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I use any other pasta shapes?
While macaroni and spaghetti are suggested, similar small pasta shapes can work as long as they are cooked until tender.
What heat setting is used to brown the beef?
The beef, onion, and garlic should be cooked over medium heat.
What is the initial boiling instruction?
You should bring the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing the heat to a simmer.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
The soup should be ladled into bowls and served hot.
How much Italian seasoning is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dry Italian seasoning.