From soups that taste like cheeseburgers and tacos to bowls loaded with grains, beans and vegetables, these recipes for soup with ground beef are perfect for dinner tonight.
When I’m staring down a package of ground beef as dinnertime rolls around, I must confess that my thoughts instantly go to meatballs, tacos or cheeseburgers. Why I don’t think of using those flavors in a soup with ground beef is an oversight I’m fixing today. This collection of soup recipes is the perfect inspirational starting point for the versatile, satisfying and quick-cooking protein, no matter what other veggies, pasta or grains you have on hand.
From creamy, cheesy broths to hearty, tomato-spiked soup bases, ground beef complements various seasonings and ingredients. Here are recipes that work whether you need 1/2-pound ground beef recipes or are searching for what to do with 1 pound of ground beef. With pantry-friendly ingredients and quick cooking times, these hearty comfort food soups are just as easy to make on a weeknight as on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
The best part about making a big pot of soup, besides delicious leftovers that are even better the next day, is that while it bubbles away with only a casual stir from time to time, you can make a few quick and easy side dishes to round out the meal. I always gravitate to a slice of warm homemade bread, but a crisp salad is another lovely accompaniment. Regardless of what you crave, these ground beef soup recipes will have you digging into a warm, comforting bowl in a flash.
1/24
Hamburger Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
At family get-togethers, our children always request this spirit-warming soup along with a fresh loaf of homemade bread and tall glasses of milk. The soup has robust flavor and plenty of fresh-tasting vegetables, and it's so easy to make. —Barbara Brown, Janesville, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 167 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
2/24
Meatball Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup is just like a meal in a bowl or, for heartier appetites, serve it with a sandwich. It's great for chilly days. —Sue Miller, Walworth, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 248 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 20g protein.
3/24
Easy Beef Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This colorful, easy beef soup comes together in minutes. Even my husband, who admits he's no cook, makes it on occasion. —Agnes Bierbaum, Gainesville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 142 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 746mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
4/24
Traditional Italian Wedding Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
You don’t have to be Italian to love this easy-to-make soup with tiny round pasta! Homemade meatballs pair beautifully with ready-made stock and rotisserie chicken. —Mary Sheetz, Carmel, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 253 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 797mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
5/24
Beef Lentil Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
You can prepare this soup as the main course in a hearty lunch or dinner. On cold winter evenings here in New England, I've often enjoyed sipping a steaming mugful in front of our fireplace. —Guy Turnbull, Arlington, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 314 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 starch.
6/24
Ravioli Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
We adore everything pasta, so I used it as the inspiration for this unique soup. The meaty tomato base pairs perfectly with the cheesy ravioli pillows. My family can't get enough of this dish! —Shelley Way, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 235 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 542mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein.
7/24
Mexican Cabbage Roll Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I love sharing our humble and hearty soup made with beef, cabbage and green chiles. A blast of cilantro gives it a sunshiny finish. —Michelle Beal, Powell, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 186 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
8/24
Cheeseburger Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
A local restaurant serves a similar cheeseburger soup but wouldn't share its recipe with me. I developed my own, modifying a recipe I already had for potato soup. I was really pleased with the way this all-American dish turned out. —Joanie Shawhan, Madison, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 354 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1012mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 14g protein.
9/24
Lasagna Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
All the traditional flavors of lasagna come together in this heartwarming bowl of comfort. —Sheryl Olenick, Demarest, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 280 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 572mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
10/24
Stuffed Pepper Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a ground beef soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 337 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1466mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein.
11/24
Beef Barley Lentil Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I serve this soup, along with homemade rolls and a green salad, to family and friends on cold nights. For variety, you can substitute jicama for the potatoes. —Judy Metzentine, The Dalles, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 232 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 603mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
12/24
Beef Cabbage Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was a little girl, I helped my parents work the fields of their small farm. Lunchtime was always a treat when my mother picked fresh vegetables from the garden and simmered them in her big soup pot. We still love making this delicious recipe. —Ethel Ledbetter, Canton, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 116 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 lean meat.
13/24
Texas Stew
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to experiment with many different types of recipes. But as a mother of young children, I rely on family-friendly ones more and more. Everyone enjoys this stew. —Kim Balstad, Lewisville, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 223 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein.
14/24
Couscous Meatball Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This soup will warm you up and takes just 25 minutes of prep time, making it a perfect weeknight meal. —Jonathan Pace, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 202 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 583mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat.
15/24
Beef and Black Bean Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I lead a busy life, so I'm always trying to come up with timesaving recipes. This zippy and colorful soup is one of my husband's favorites. It has been a hit at family gatherings too. —Vickie Gibson, Gardendale, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 203 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 630mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
16/24
Hamburger Stew
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner during the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 191 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
17/24
Beef Vegetable Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This nicely seasoned soup tastes so good. It's convenient, too, since it simmers all day in the slow cooker. —Jean Hutzell, Dubuque, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 217 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch.
18/24
Crockpot Pasta e Fagioli
From the Recipe Creator:
This chunky soup is good to the last spoonful. It's my go-to recipe because it's so hearty and we always want more. —Penny Novy, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 258 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 885mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 17g protein.
19/24
Italian Vegetable Beef Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
My sweet father-in-law, Pop Pop, would bring this chunky soup to our house when we were under the weather. We like it so much, we take it to our own friends who need comfort. It always does the trick. —Sue Webb, Reisterstown, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 159 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
20/24
Beef Noodle Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious soup takes only minutes but tastes as if it has been simmering all day! —Margery Bryan, Moses Lake, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 144 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 804mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
21/24
Ground Beef and Barley Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
I came across this recipe years ago at a recipe exchange through a church group. The contributor didn't sign her name, so I don't know who to thank. My husband and son thank me for preparing it by helping themselves to seconds and thirds! —Ellen McCleary, Scotland, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 168 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
22/24
Taco Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
We first sampled this chili-like taco soup recipe at a church dinner. What a warming dish for a cold day. And because it uses packaged seasonings with several cans of vegetables, it's a snap to prepare. —Glenda Taylor, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 370 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1369mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 27g protein.
23/24
Spinach Beef Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
My idea of a winning weeknight meal is this beefy soup simmering in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the saltines. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 258 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 909mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
24/24
Spicy Potato Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
My sister-in-law, who is from Mexico, passed along this wonderful recipe. Since she prefers her foods much spicier than we do, I reduced the amount of pepper sauce, but you can add more if you prefer a bigger kick. —Audrey Wall, Industry, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 159 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 764mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
Soup with Ground Beef FAQ
Do you have to cook ground beef before making soup?
Browning ground beef when making soup is an important step in developing deep flavor and the best texture. Cooking the ground beef first prevents large chunks of beef in your soup, because as it browns, you can break the meat into small pieces, which are much more pleasant and tender to eat. Second, browning the meat before it simmers in the soup deepens the beefy flavor and makes the meat look more appetizing in the finished soup.
Do ground beef soups freeze well?
There are many ground beef soups that freeze well, especially broth-based soups loaded with vegetables and beans, making them perfect for meal prepping. Ground beef itself freezes great, but you need to consider the rest of the soup ingredients. Generally, dairy-heavy soups and those with pasta or rice are not the best choices for freezing because the texture of the broth can become grainy and pasta can overcook and become mushy when reheated.
Can you make beef broth from ground beef?
Although you can make beef broth from browned ground beef, vegetables and water, it will not have the same rich flavor as beef stock. One of the big differences between broth and homemade beef stock or bone broth is that stock and bone broth use bones, which release collagen and flavor as they simmer. This gives the liquid a meaty taste and a silky texture that gels once chilled. In a creamy soup, you may not notice the difference between broth and stock, but in general, we recommend using stock for soups.
