Budget-Friendly Beef and Vegetable Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
- Leftover ground beef (about 1/2 pound)
- Egg noodles (about 8 oz)
- 2 cans of vegetable soup
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: additional vegetables or leftover items from other meals
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- If your leftover ground beef is not already cooked, brown it in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Pour in the vegetable soup and beef broth into the pot with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add the cooked ground beef and cooked egg noodles to the pot.
- Stir in dried thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning according to your taste.
- Simmer:
- Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Adjust Consistency and Seasoning:
- If the soup seems too thick, you can add more beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add more thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, or pepper according to your preference.
- Serve:
- Once the soup is heated through and seasoned to perfection, ladle it into bowls and serve hot.
- Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
This hearty Beef and Vegetable Noodle Soup is not only delicious and comforting but also budget-friendly, making it a perfect meal idea for those looking to stretch their dollars without sacrificing flavor. Enjoy
