Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup
A hearty, one-pot soup with ground beef, fresh vegetables, and noodles, simmered to perfection for a comforting meal. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground beef, carrots, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 2 medium, peeled and diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1/2 cup, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 lb ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced medium carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1/2 cup diced onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened and onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add 4 cups chicken broth, 8 oz egg noodles, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the vegetables are cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mega Beef & Veggie Noodle Soup?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
