Hamburger Soup

Submitted by Kittencalrecipezazz

"This has been a long time favorite of my family's, it is a hearty soup with so much flavor! This should be enough for 6-8 people but can be doubled if desired, and it freezes very well. The barley can be replaced with rice. I have made this soup many times using tiny meatballs, that have been browned first. The crushed red pepper flakes are optional, if you like some heat then add them in when cooking the soup. This soup is very good, and tastes even better the day after!"

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 15mins
• Ingredients: 15
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 907.18 g extra lean ground beef
• 29.58 ml minced fresh garlic (can use more)
• 1 large onion, chopped finely
• 793.78 g can tomatoes (undrained)
• 414.03 ml water
• 3 (850.48 g) can beef consomme, undiluted (make certain to use only beef consomme, not beef broth!)
• 14.79-29.58 ml Worcestershire sauce
• 283.49 g can tomato soup, undiluted
• 5-6 carrots, chopped into about 1-inch pieces
• 1-2 bay leaf
• 2.46 ml thyme
• salt and pepper
• 118.29 ml pearl barley
• crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• grated parmesan cheese

directions

1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic; drain any fat (if you are making this soup with meatballs, brown the meatballs first, then sauté the onions and garlic after the meatballs).
2. Add in all remaining ingredients except Parmesan cheese, and simmer for a minimum of 3 hours, (adjusting ingredients to suit taste).
3. Ladle into serving bowls and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Reviews

[Epi Curious]

Outstanding. My Mom used to make something similar to this when I was growing up but this is much, much better. Loved the garlic and barley in this soup. Added some frozen peas and a teaspoon paprika & used about a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes. I will be making this often! I love to try your recipes, Kitten, because they never disappoint, and they always go into my regular rotation. :-)

 

[sherry1246]

EXCELENT! The beef consume really made it

 

[PjD25361]

This is one great recipe!! And SO very filling... I didn't have consomme so used (gasp!) beef stock. Also added basil and celery. Next time I will try it with the red pepper flakes. Thanks so much for sharing :)

 

[kittycatmom]

Absolutely, HANDS DOWN, my favorite Hamburger Soup recipe!!! DH had 3 bowls, and asked me to make this often! A request I am happy to oblige! I apologize for changing a couple of things, but when there is bad weather coming the grocery store is too crowded so I had to change a couple of things to use what I had on hand. I put in 1 cup of small shell pasta as I didn't have barley or rice available. I also added 3 medium potatoes -- DH really likes potatoes in soup. I didn't realize until we were ready to eat that I hadn't dropped in the bay leaves. So shortly before serving, I added 3 teaspoons of Old Bay Seasoning. Still delicious! I also made recipe #337664. Perfect combination! Thank you KITTEN for ALL of your wonderful recipes. Made in honor of John for Kittencal Cookathon

 

[Chef Cameo]

Loved this recipe....so easy to make with ingredients usually on hand. To me the barley was perfectly proportioned. I followed the recipe exactly except I added just a 1/2 pint of fat free half and half to take the edge off the tomato acidity. It's just a little tip I stole from Paul Deen. I'll definitely make it again. It does take the full 4 hours cooking time but I admit I was already sampling at 3 hours and knew it was going to be good. My husband was back for seconds in no time. Thanks for an easy and economical addition to my soup recipes. Elaine