Hearty Spicy Sausage & Beef Soup
Warm up with this delightful Hearty Spicy Sausage & Beef Soup, perfect for chilly evenings or cozy gatherings. This flavorful concoction is packed with protein from spicy bulk sausage and extra lean ground beef, combined with an array of fresh vegetables, creating a savory and satisfying meal. Simply throw everything into your slow cooker in the morning, and let the aromas fill your home, while you anticipate a delicious dinner ready to enjoy later. Serve it with warm cornbread for an extra treat!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra lean ground beef
1 lb (raw)
spicy bulk sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
onion
1/2 large (chopped)
carrots
2 cups (chopped)
celery
2 cups (chopped)
bell pepper
1 (chopped (red or green))
salt and pepper
to taste (seasoning)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (dry)
garlic cloves
2-3 (minced)
stewed tomatoes with green chilies
14 1/2 ounces (canned)
green beans
14 1/2 ounces (canned)
chili powder
1/4 teaspoon (dry)
instant rice
1 cup (uncooked)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, spicy bulk sausage, and chopped onion. Mix well and form the mixture into small meatballs.
2
Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
3
Place the meatballs at the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading them evenly.
4
In another bowl, mix the chopped carrots, celery, bell pepper, garlic, stewed tomatoes with green chilies, green beans, oregano, chili powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Pour the vegetable mixture over the meatballs in the slow cooker, making sure they are well covered.
6
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
7
About 20 minutes before you're ready to serve, stir in the uncooked instant rice, replace the lid, and let it cook for the remaining time.
8
Once done, give it a good stir, and serve hot. Enjoy with cornbread or your favorite bread!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Spicy Sausage & Beef Soup?
It is a flavorful and satisfying slow cooker soup made with meatballs of beef and spicy sausage, combined with a variety of fresh vegetables.
What types of meat are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of extra lean ground beef and 1 lb of spicy bulk sausage.
How are the meatballs prepared?
Combine the ground beef, spicy sausage, and chopped onion in a bowl, mix well, and form into small meatballs.
Do I need to brown the meatballs before putting them in the slow cooker?
No, the instructions state to place the meatballs raw at the bottom of the slow cooker after spraying it with non-stick spray.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup contains chopped carrots, celery, bell pepper, and canned green beans.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
The recipe uses 14.5 ounces of canned stewed tomatoes with green chilies.
How long does the soup need to cook?
The soup should be covered and cooked on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
When should I add the rice?
Stir in the instant rice about 20 minutes before you are ready to serve the soup.
Does the rice need to be cooked beforehand?
No, you should use uncooked instant rice.
Can I use regular rice instead of instant rice?
The recipe specifically calls for instant rice; regular rice would require much more time and potentially more liquid to cook properly.
Is this soup spicy?
Yes, the soup has a spicy kick from both the bulk sausage and the stewed tomatoes with green chilies.
What spices are used to season the soup?
The soup is seasoned with dried oregano, chili powder, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
How much chili powder is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe suggests using 2 to 3 minced garlic cloves.
What type of bell pepper is recommended?
You can use either a red or green bell pepper, chopped.
What is the best way to serve this soup?
It is delicious served hot, particularly with a side of warm cornbread.
Should I grease the slow cooker?
Yes, spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray before adding ingredients.
How should the ingredients be layered in the slow cooker?
Place the meatballs at the bottom first, then pour the vegetable and seasoning mixture over them.
Can I use a different type of sausage?
While spicy bulk sausage is recommended for flavor, you could substitute it with mild sausage or turkey sausage if preferred.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The specific serving size is not provided, but it contains 2 lbs of meat and several cups of vegetables.
How much onion is needed for the meatball mixture?
Use 1/2 of a large chopped onion.
Are the green beans drained before adding?
The recipe does not specify draining, but usually canned vegetables in slow cooker soups include their liquid unless otherwise noted.
Can I make this soup on a stovetop?
While written for a slow cooker, you could adapt it by browning the meatballs first and then simmering everything together until the vegetables are tender.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy meal prep recipe that can be started in the morning and enjoyed later.
How much oregano is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dry oregano.
What should I do right before serving?
After the rice has cooked for 20 minutes, give the soup a good stir and serve it hot.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
You can, but you may want to add some chopped green chilies to maintain the intended spicy flavor profile.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 13 total ingredients used in this soup recipe.
Can this soup be frozen?
Yes, soup generally freezes well, though the texture of the instant rice may soften slightly upon reheating.
What is the primary flavor profile?
The flavor is savory and spicy, categorized as a comfort food soup.