Name: Hamburger Soup
Yield: Makes 12 Servings
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds ground chuck or other ground beef; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (14.5-ounce can) whole tomatoes; 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced; 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced; 4 carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal; 5 large red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch chunks; 3 cups beef broth, more as needed; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Photo by Ree Drummond

I made this glorious hamburger soup one Sunday in winter for three very important reasons: One, it was so ding dang cold outside, all I could think about was soup. Two, church was canceled (Church? Canceled? I don't understand.) and I didn't have anything else to do. Three, I was hungry, man.

I love hamburger soup so much because it's meaty and hearty and flavorful and satisfying. Mmmmmm! It just feels good to eat it, and as a bonus, it always reminds me of my grandmother Ga-Ga.

And that always means it's going to be delicious.

Variations:

Add any veggies you'd like to the soup: diced zucchini, corn kernels, cut green beans, or mushrooms.

Use ground turkey instead of ground beef.

Add peeled, diced parsnips or peeled, diced butternut squash to the soup.

Recipe notes

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This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Sofrito Bolognese

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Frijoles de la Olla Ramen (Mexican Stewed Beans)

Traditionally, this Mexican staple is simmered for hours in an olla, or clay pot. You can achieve a similar result by using canned beans and instant ramen.

Stir-Fried Phở Noodles With Beef

This dish is not only a quick meal option but also a practical way to use leftover phở noodles when you’re out of broth.

Charred Vegetable Ragù

This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!