Name: Busy Day Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced; 2 celery stalks, sliced; 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey; 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice; 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce; 4 cups beef or vegetable broth; 1 (15-ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 cup small pasta, like elbow macaroni or ditalini; Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

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If there’s a meal I turn to again and again during those extra-hectic weeks, it’s Busy Day Soup. This simple, hearty soup is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug—packed with tender veggies, savory broth, and a tangy touch of tomato. It’s the ideal one-pot wonder for busy days, offering soul-satisfying flavor without any fuss. Not only does it come together in a snap, it’s endlessly customizable, making it a genuine lifesaver when you want something nourishing and delicious on the table fast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the beauty of Busy Day Soup: each ingredient works hard to deliver depth, heartiness, and color while requiring very little prep. Grab your favorites and watch how they come together in perfect harmony!

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften your aromatic veggies for a super flavorful base.
Onion (chopped): Delivers that irresistible savory flavor that underpins a great soup.
Garlic (minced): Infuses the soup with gentle warmth and aroma—don’t skip it!
Carrots (peeled and sliced): Sweeten everything and provide lovely color and texture.
Celery (sliced): Offers crunch and a mellow earthiness that balances out more robust flavors.
Lean ground beef or ground turkey: Bring heartiness and protein—choose whichever you love or have on hand.
Canned diced tomatoes (with juice): Add tang and a little bit of body, making every spoonful vibrant.
Tomato sauce: Binds the broth together and deepens the tomato flavor.
Beef or vegetable broth: The backbone of the soup, giving it that slow-cooked taste in far less time.
Canned mixed vegetables (drained): Effortlessly boost nutrition and texture, no chopping required.
Italian seasoning: Delivers an herby lift and rounds out all the savory flavors.
Salt and pepper: Essential for making the other ingredients pop—add to your personal taste!
Small pasta (elbow macaroni, ditalini, etc.): Makes the soup extra filling and fun for all ages.
Optional parsley: Freshens up the final dish with a pop of green and a hint of brightness.

How to Make Busy Day Soup

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base

Start with your large soup pot and heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Once it shimmers, toss in the chopped onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté everything together for about 5 to 7 minutes until the veggies soften and start to smell sweet and inviting—this is where your soup earns all that rich flavor.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Add your ground beef or turkey straight to the pot. Stir it frequently, breaking it up with the edge of your spoon, until it’s no longer pink and fully browned. This should only take a few minutes. When you’re done, drain away any excess fat for a lighter, cleaner broth.

Step 3: Add Tomatoes, Broth, and Veggies

Now’s the time for all those canned goodies! Stir in the diced tomatoes (juice included), tomato sauce, and broth. Rinse and drain your can of mixed vegetables, then add that in too. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, then season generously with salt and pepper. Stir well—the soup will already smell fantastic! Bring everything to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer and Cook the Pasta

Once your soup is bubbling, reduce the heat to a nice simmer. Add the small pasta; let it cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks. The pasta should be tender but not mushy—sample a noodle toward the end to check. Taste and adjust seasoning as you please.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle Busy Day Soup into bowls while steaming hot. If you’re feeling fancy, finish each bowl with a shower of chopped parsley. Now comes the best part—dig in!

How to Serve Busy Day Soup

Garnishes

A finishing sprinkle of fresh parsley always adds bright color and herby flair to Busy Day Soup. Shaved parmesan, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or even a swirl of pesto are delicious upgrades if you want to mix things up.

Side Dishes

This soup sings alongside warm, crusty bread—perfect for dunking and catching every last bite. For a lighter touch, pair it with a crisp green salad dressed in your favorite vinaigrette, or serve it with a gooey grilled cheese for extra comfort.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Busy Day Soup in mugs or handled jars for the coziest lunch or party starter. Or, for the kids (or fun-at-heart adults!), float a few goldfish crackers or letter pasta on top for whimsical charm. It’s also great poured over a baked potato or ladled into bread bowls for a hearty dinner twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Busy Day Soup is a champion when it comes to leftovers. Once cooled, store it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making each reheated bowl even tastier than the first.

Freezing

This soup freezes beautifully! To avoid mushy pasta, consider freezing just the broth and veggies, then adding freshly cooked pasta after thawing. Portion into freezer-safe containers and it’ll keep for up to three months—just label with the date for easy tracking.

Reheating

Warm Busy Day Soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If it’s thickened in the fridge, add a splash of broth or water to loosen. For a quick fix, individual servings reheat perfectly in the microwave—just cover loosely and give it a stir halfway through.

FAQs

Can I make Busy Day Soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Swap the ground meat for a can of drained lentils or beans, and use vegetable broth. You’ll still get the same hearty, comforting soup with plenty of plant-based protein.

What kind of pasta works best?

Small shapes like elbow macaroni, ditalini, or small shells are all great choices; they cook quickly and soak up the flavors without overwhelming the soup. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand!

Can I use fresh vegetables instead of canned?

Definitely! Add an extra cup or two of chopped fresh veggies (like green beans, peas, or corn) in place of the canned mixed vegetables. You might need to simmer a little longer to get them perfectly tender.

Is it possible to make Busy Day Soup in a slow cooker?

Yes! Brown the meat and sauté the veggies on the stovetop first, then transfer everything except the pasta to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours, adding the pasta in the last 20-30 minutes so it stays firm.

Can I double the recipe for a larger group?

Absolutely—Busy Day Soup is made for sharing! Use a larger pot and double every ingredient. You’ll have plenty for a big family dinner or to freeze extras for later.

Final Thoughts

If there’s ever a time to let your soup pot work its magic, it’s on a busy day—and this Busy Day Soup is proof that simple ingredients and quick cooking can bring so much comfort. Give it a spot in your weekly routine and prepare to fall in love with how easy, tasty, and satisfying homemade soup can be!

Busy Day Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 15 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Busy Day Soup is a hearty and comforting soup that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Packed with ground beef (or turkey), vegetables, and pasta in a flavorful broth, this soup is a satisfying meal on its own.

Ingredients

Scale

For the soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cups beef or vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup small pasta, like elbow macaroni or ditalini
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Heat olive oil and sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté until softened.
Cook the ground meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the pot and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add remaining ingredients: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, mixed vegetables, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer.
Cook pasta: Add pasta and cook uncovered until tender, about 10-12 minutes.
Adjust and serve: Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.