Hearty Lentil and Pasta Soup with Ground Beef
Warm up with this delightful Hearty Lentil and Pasta Soup, perfect for chilly evenings! This nutrient-packed soup combines savory ground beef with a mix of hearty lentils, split peas, and nutritious barley, all simmered in a flavorful broth enhanced by Italian seasonings. Topped off with pasta, this dish not only provides a comforting meal for your family but also makes for a great option to share with friends. Serve it with crusty bread for the complete experience!
N/A
Servings
136
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry split peas
1/2 cup (dry, unsoaked)
beef bouillon granules
1/3 cup (granulated)
pearl barley
1/4 cup (dry)
dry lentils
1/3 cup (dry)
dried onion flakes
1/4 cup (dry)
Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons (dried)
uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup (dry)
alphabet pasta (or small macaroni)
1/2 cup (dry)
ground beef
1 lb (browned and drained)
water
3 quarts (measured)
diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (canned, undrained)
Instructions
1
In a clean 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the dry split peas, beef bouillon granules, pearl barley, dry lentils, dried onion flakes, Italian seasoning, uncooked long grain rice, and alphabet pasta (or other small macaroni noodles) in the order listed, ensuring an even distribution.
2
Seal the jar tightly to keep the ingredients fresh until ready to use.
3
When you're ready to prepare the soup, carefully remove the macaroni from the top of the jar and set it aside.
4
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
5
Add the 3 quarts of water and the 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes directly into the pot with the browned beef.
6
Next, add the entire jar of prepared soup mix to the pot, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.
7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the lentils and barley to soften.
8
Finally, stir in the reserved macaroni, cover the pot, and simmer for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the macaroni, peas, lentils, and barley are tender.
Nutrition Information
4.25g
Fat
19.5g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Lentil and Pasta Soup?
It is a nutrient-packed soup combining savory ground beef, lentils, split peas, and pearl barley in a flavorful broth with Italian seasonings and pasta.
How many calories are in a serving of this soup?
There are approximately 136 calories per serving.
What is the protein content?
Each serving contains 7.5g of protein.
How much fat is in the recipe?
There are 4.25g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this soup?
This soup contains 19.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What size jar do I need for the dry mix?
You will need a clean 1 1/2 pint jar to layer the dry ingredients.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground beef.
What type of lentils should I use?
Use 1/3 cup of dry lentils.
Do I need to soak the split peas?
No, use 1/2 cup of dry, unsoaked split peas.
What kind of rice is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of uncooked long grain rice.
What type of pasta is best for this soup?
Alphabet pasta or other small macaroni noodles are recommended.
How much water is added for cooking?
You will need 3 quarts of water.
Should the diced tomatoes be drained?
No, use a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes and do not drain them.
What seasonings are included in the mix?
The mix includes beef bouillon granules, dried onion flakes, and Italian seasoning.
How long does the soup need to simmer initially?
It should simmer for about 45 minutes before adding the pasta.
When do I add the pasta?
The pasta is added after the initial 45-minute simmer, then cooked for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the beef and use vegetable bouillon to create a vegetarian version.
How is the ground beef prepared?
The ground beef should be browned in a large saucepan or Dutch oven and drained of excess fat.
What is the first layer in the soup mix jar?
The dry split peas are the first layer in the jar.
How much pearl barley is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of pearl barley.
What kind of onion is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of dried onion flakes.
How much Italian seasoning is added?
Use 2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Is this considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-pot meal because the beef is browned and the soup is simmered in the same pot.
What should I serve with this soup?
It is recommended to serve this soup with crusty bread.
Can I store the dry mix for later?
Yes, seal the jar tightly to keep the ingredients fresh until you are ready to cook.
How much beef bouillon is used?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of beef bouillon granules.
Is the rice cooked or uncooked when added to the jar?
The rice should be uncooked.
What is the texture of the soup?
It is a hearty and thick soup due to the combination of lentils, barley, rice, and pasta.
How much pasta is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of dry pasta.