I’m always excited when the colder weather rolls in because it means I can start making soup!

Soup is one of my favorite meals to make and eat. I love making it because it’s all made in one pot so there isn’t a big mess to clean up. And I love eating it because it’s warm, comforting and filling.

I could make soup year round because I love it so much, but my husband thinks eating a steaming hot bowl of soup on a super hot summer day is just wrong 🙂

This vegetable beef soup is a favorite because I usually have all the ingredients on hand and it only takes about 30 minutes.  Best of all its rich, hearty and delicious. If you are not a ground beef fan (like I know a few of my friends are) you can substitute ground turkey instead.

My kids gobble this soup up (veggies included!) especially when we serve some cheddar biscuits on the side. This makes a large pot, but I think the leftovers reheat nicely for a fast lunch the next day.

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 yellow onion diced
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 can beef broth (14.5 ounces)
1 can tomato soup (10 3/4 ounces)
1 can petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)
1 cup water
2 Russet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables*

In a large pot, saute the diced onion for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until translucent. Add the ground beef and brown until no pink remains. Drain any fat. Season meat with garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Add the can of beef broth, tomato soup, and diced tomatoes.  Bring to a boil and add potatoes and lower heat to maintain a simmer.  Cook for about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.  Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cook for another five minutes until vegetables are cooked through. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if necessary. Also if broth seems to have cooked down too much add water, about 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency.

*Some brands of frozen mixed vegetables have lima beans or some have green beans. We prefer the brands with green beans as my kids won’t touch lima beans.  You can also substitute just frozen corn and peas if you don’t want all the vegetables.