Easy Mushroom Beef Barley Soup

I improvised and came up with this yummy soup. Do NOT skip the basil - it's the secret ingredient.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

• 1  lb lean ground beef (4%)
• 2  lbs mushrooms, sliced
• 3  onions, chopped
• 2  large garlic cloves, minced
• 11  cups water
• 6  ounces tomato paste
• 1 1⁄2 cups quick-cooking barley
• 10  beef bouillon cubes
• 1  vegetable bouillon cube
• 1  teaspoon dried basil
•  salt
•  pepper

Directions

1. Season onion, garlic and meat with some salt and pepper and then brown in soup pot.
2. Dissolve tomato paste in some water. Add everything to soup pot, including dissolved tomato paste. Stir to combine.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.