Your New Favorite 30-Minute Beef & Veggie Soup (Seriously, It’s That Good!)

More Than Just a Quick Fix

Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: it’s 5:30 PM, your stomach is growling, the day has officially gotten the best of you, and the siren song of takeout is getting louder by the second. We’ve all been there. The thought of chopping, simmering, and creating a masterpiece feels about as achievable as climbing Mount Everest in slippers.

But what if I told you that in the same amount of time it takes for delivery to arrive, you could have a pot of steaming, hearty, homemade beef and veggie soup bubbling away on your stove? A soup that’s not just fast, but genuinely, soul-warmingly delicious? This, my friend, is the magic of this recipe.

This isn’t just “throwing things in a pot.” This is my secret weapon for turning a chaotic weeknight into a moment of cozy comfort. We’re talking tender ground beef, a savory broth, and a rainbow of veggies that come together in a harmony of flavors that will absolutely make your taste buds dance. It’s proof that healthy, feel-good food doesn’t have to be complicated or take hours. It’s the ultimate hug in a bowl, and it’s ready before you can even decide what to watch on TV. So, tie on your apron—let’s make something nourishing, fast, and totally worth licking the spoon.

The Soup That Started It All

This recipe has roots. It takes me right back to my first tiny apartment, with a kitchen so small I could practically touch all four walls at once. My culinary skills were, let’s say, a work in progress. My signature dish was “lightly burned toast,” and my idea of a balanced meal was cereal for dinner. But one blustery autumn evening, my mom called and, sensing my culinary despair, walked me through this very soup over the phone.

I remember the smell of browning beef mingling with the sharp scent of onion and garlic, and how it completely transformed my little studio into a home. That first spoonful was a revelation. I made this? It was rich, it was satisfying, and it made me feel like a real, competent adult. It was the first spark that made me realize cooking didn’t have to be intimidating—it could be a simple, joyful act of self-care. This soup became my weekly ritual, my edible security blanket. And now, years later, I’m so thrilled to share that same feeling of accomplishment and comfort with you.

Gather Your A-Team Ingredients

Here’s the beautiful part: this soup is a master of flexibility. It’s built on pantry and freezer staples, so don’t stress if you need to make a swap! I’ll give you the blueprint and all my favorite chef insights.

• 1 lb Ground Beef: I like to use an 85/15 blend for a great balance of flavor without being too greasy. Chef’s Insight: For a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken works beautifully, or go plant-based with lentils!
• 1 Small Onion, diced: Our aromatic base! A yellow or white onion is perfect here, lending a subtle sweetness once cooked.
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced: Please, for the love of flavor, use fresh garlic! That jarred pre-minced stuff just doesn’t compare. This is our flavor powerhouse.
• 1 (15 oz) Can Diced Tomatoes (with juice!): These add a lovely acidity and body to the broth. Don’t drain them—the juice is part of the liquid gold. Substitution Tip: If you have fire-roasted diced tomatoes, use them! They add a wonderful smoky depth.
• 1 (12-16 oz) Bag Frozen Mixed Vegetables: The ultimate time-saver! I always keep a bag of classic corn, peas, carrots, and green beans mix in my freezer for emergencies just like this. No chopping required!
• 4 Cups Beef or Vegetable Broth: This is the soul of your soup. A good-quality broth makes a difference! I prefer low-sodium so I can control the salt level myself.
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning: This little herb blend is a flavor short-cut hero. It’s usually a mix of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary—all the good stuff.
• ½ tsp Salt & ¼ tsp Black Pepper: Season as you go! We start with this, and I always do a final taste and adjust at the end.
• Optional: Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes: My little secret for a subtle, warm kick in the background. It doesn’t make the soup spicy, just more interesting!Print
  

  Quick Beef & Veggie Soup

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  • Author: clarawhitmore
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

  Print Recipe

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  Description

  This Quick Beef & Veggie Soup is a wholesome and hearty meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Made with ground beef, mixed vegetables, and a flavorful broth, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and nutritious. Great for meal prep or warming up on chilly days.

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  Ingredients

  Scale 1x2x3x

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: chopped parsley, cooked rice or pasta for serving

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  Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and ground beef. Cook until beef is browned and crumbled, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in mixed vegetables, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
  5. Serve hot with optional rice, pasta, or crusty bread. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

  Notes

  • Use frozen veggies to save time—no chopping needed.
  • Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
  • Add kidney beans or chickpeas for extra fiber and protein.
  • Double the batch and freeze leftovers for easy future meals.
  • Customize seasoning with thyme, bay leaf, or red pepper flakes for a kick.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

  Nutrition

  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 24g

Let’s Get Cooking! Your Foolproof Guide

Ready to see some magic happen? Grab your favorite large pot or Dutch oven—this is a one-pot wonder, meaning less cleanup for the win! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a perfect soup every single time.

1. Brown the Beef: Place your pot over medium heat and add the ground beef. Use your spoon or a spatula to break it up into crumbles as it cooks. We’re looking for a nice, even brown here, not gray! This step builds our foundational flavor. Chef’s Hack: Don’t stir it constantly! Let it sit for a minute to get a good sear on one side before breaking it up—this equals more flavor.
2. Drain the Fat: Once the beef is fully cooked and no pink remains, carefully drain off any excess fat. I just tilt the pot and use a spoon to scoop it out, or you can pour it into an old can. This keeps the soup from being greasy.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Now, add your diced onion and minced garlic right into the pot with the beef. The residual heat and tiny bit of fat are perfect for cooking them. Sauté for just 2-3 minutes until the onion is turning translucent and the garlic is incredibly fragrant. Chef’s Tip: Don’t let the garlic burn! Burnt garlic turns bitter. If it’s cooking too fast, just move to the next step.
4. The Big Pour: Here comes the fun part! Stir in the entire can of diced tomatoes (juice and all), the frozen veggies (no need to thaw!), the broth, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and those optional red pepper flakes. Give it all a really good stir, making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Those bits are pure flavor!
5. Simmer to Perfection: Crank the heat up to high and bring your soup to a lively boil. Once it’s bubbling away, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This is when the magic happens—the flavors get to know each other, the vegetables become perfectly tender, and your kitchen will smell like a dream.
6. The Final Touch: This is the most important step! Take a spoon, taste your creation, and be the boss of your soup. Does it need another pinch of salt? A crack more pepper? Adjust it until it tastes perfect to you. You are the chef!

Bowls Up! How to Serve Your Masterpiece

Ladle that beautiful, steaming soup into deep, cozy bowls. I love serving this with a thick, crusty slice of sourdough bread for dipping and sopping up every last drop. For a fresh contrast, a simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette is fantastic. If you’re feeling extra, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a little grated Parmesan cheese on top takes it to a whole new level of yummy.

Make It Your Own: 5 Delicious Twists

This recipe is your playground! Don’t be afraid to get creative and use what you have. Here are a few of my favorite variations:

• Italian Wedding Style: Swap the ground beef for Italian sausage (casings removed) and add a handful of small pasta like ditalini or orzo in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Tex-Mex Fiesta: Use a packet of taco seasoning instead of Italian seasoning, add a can of black beans (drained and rinsed), and a cup of frozen corn. Serve with a squeeze of lime and a dollop of sour cream.
• Lean & Green: Use ground turkey and swap the beef broth for chicken broth. Add a couple of big handfuls of fresh spinach or kale in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• “Everything but the Kitchen Sink”: Got a lone zucchini or half a bell pepper in the fridge? Dice it up and throw it in when you add the onions! This soup is wonderfully forgiving.

Clara’s Kitchen Chronicles

This soup has been with me through thick and thin. I’ve made it for best friends going through breakups (it’s better than a pint of ice cream, I swear), for new parents who needed a no-fuss meal, and for myself on countless “I just can’t even” nights. It has evolved from my mom’s basic phone instructions to my own canvas for flavor experiments. I once accidentally used a bag of “stir-fry blend” frozen veggies (with broccoli and water chestnuts!) and it was a happy, crunchy accident. The beauty of this recipe is its resilience. It’s hard to mess up, and it always, always satisfies. It’s a reminder that the best food isn’t always the fanciest—it’s the one that makes you feel cared for.

Your Soup Questions, Answered!

Over the years, I’ve gotten some great questions about this recipe. Here are the answers to the most common ones!

Q: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
A: Absolutely! For the slow cooker, simply brown the beef and onions on the stove first (for best flavor), then dump everything into the crock. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4. For the Instant Pot, use the sauté function to brown the beef and cook the onions. Then, add everything else, seal the lid, and cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes. Quick release the pressure, and it’s done!

Q: My soup turned out a bit bland. How can I fix it?
A: No worries, this is an easy fix! Bland soup usually just needs more seasoning. Add another pinch of salt—salt makes all the other flavors pop. You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a tablespoon of tomato paste for umami depth. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving can also work wonders to brighten everything up.

Q: Can I freeze this beef and veggie soup?
A: You bet! This is a fantastic freezer meal. Let the soup cool completely, then portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving a little space for expansion. It will keep beautifully for up to 3 months. To reheat, just thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm it gently on the stove.

Q: I’m watching my carbs. Are there any low-carb options?
A: For sure! You can simply leave out the starchy frozen veggies like corn and peas and use a low-carb veggie blend instead (cauliflower, broccoli, green beans). The soup base itself is very low-carb friendly!

Nourish Your Body & Soul

Here’s a rough nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 6 servings). Remember, this can vary based on your specific ingredients!

• Calories: ~250
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fat: 14g

It’s a balanced, protein-packed meal that will keep you full and satisfied, proving that healthy comfort food is totally within reach.