Hamburger Noodle Soup Recipe

Heartwarming Hamburger Noodle Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a hearty hamburger noodle soup promises a delightful culinary adventure that warms both body and soul.

Comfort mingles with excitement as savory ground beef blends perfectly with tender noodles swimming in rich broth.

Memories of cozy kitchen moments drift through your mind while anticipating this satisfying meal.

Meat lovers will appreciate the robust flavors dancing across their taste buds.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Families gather around steaming bowls, sharing laughter and enjoying each spoonful of pure comfort.

You can whip up this soul-satisfying soup faster than ordering takeout, making it your new weeknight hero.

Why Hamburger Noodle Soup Is A Cozy Meal

  • Boost Flavor Complexity: Layered ingredients like ground beef, ham, and aromatic vegetables create a rich, multi-dimensional taste profile that elevates traditional soup experiences.
  • Master One-Pot Cooking: This recipe requires minimal kitchen equipment, allowing quick preparation and easy cleanup while delivering maximum comfort and satisfaction.
  • Perfect Meal Flexibility: Adaptable for different dietary preferences by swapping protein or adding extra vegetables, making it an ideal choice for family dinners or casual gatherings.
  • Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with protein from beef and ham, plus vitamins from carrots, onions, and celery, this soup provides balanced nutrition in every hearty spoonful.

What You’ll Need For Hamburger Noodle Soup

For the Protein:
  • Ground Beef: A hearty base that provides rich, meaty flavor and substantial texture to the soup.
  • Ham: Adds a smoky and savory dimension to enhance the overall taste profile.
For the Vegetables:
  • Onions, Carrots, Celery: A classic mirepoix that creates a robust and aromatic foundation for the soup.
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers a concentrated, warm garlic essence throughout the dish.
For the Liquid and Seasonings:
  • Beef Broth, Water: Combine to create a flavorful and balanced liquid base for the soup.
  • Olive Oil: Helps to sauté and develop deep flavors in the initial cooking stages.
  • Bay Leaves: Impart a subtle, herbal undertone to the soup.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
  • Egg Noodles: Provide a comforting and classic pasta element to complete the soup.

How To Make Hamburger Noodle Soup Easily

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef

Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat. Crumble ground beef into tiny pieces, cooking until completely browned with no pink visible.

Step 2: Sauté Ham

Toss diced ham into the beef, cooking for 2-3 minutes to develop a rich, caramelized flavor profile.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetable Base

Add the following vegetables to the meat mixture:
  • Diced onions
  • Chopped carrots
  • Sliced celery

Sauté until vegetables soften and become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 4: Season the Mixture

Sprinkle seasonings over the vegetable-meat blend:
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.

Step 5: Create Soup Liquid

Pour beef broth and water into the pot. Drop in bay leaves to enhance the soup’s depth of flavor.

Step 6: Simmer the Soup

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, allowing ingredients to blend and develop rich flavors.

Step 7: Cook Egg Noodles

Discard bay leaves. Add egg noodles to the pot, cooking for 6-8 minutes until noodles reach tender perfection without becoming mushy.

Step 8: Final Touch and Serve

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle the steaming hot soup into bowls and serve immediately for a comforting meal.

Smart Tips For Hamburger Noodle Soup Success

  • Brown Meat Perfectly: Use high heat and break ground beef into small crumbles for maximum caramelization and flavor development.
  • Enhance Vegetable Texture: Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until they become translucent to release natural sweetness and create depth in the soup.
  • Balance Seasoning Carefully: Start with a light hand when adding salt and pepper, then taste and adjust gradually to prevent over-salting.
  • Prevent Mushy Noodles: Add egg noodles near the end of cooking and watch closely, removing from heat as soon as they reach al dente to maintain ideal texture.
  • Control Soup Consistency: If soup becomes too thick, add small amounts of additional broth to maintain desired liquid ratio and prevent dryness.

Tasty Twists On Hamburger Noodle Soup

  • Vegetarian Hearty Soup: Replace ground beef and ham with plant-based protein like lentils, crumbled tofu, or mushrooms for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
  • Gluten-Free Noodle Option: Swap traditional egg noodles with gluten-free alternatives such as rice noodles, zucchini noodles, or quinoa pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
  • Spicy Southwest Adaptation: Add diced green chilies, cumin, and smoked paprika to transform the soup into a zesty southwestern-style soup with enhanced heat and complexity.
  • Low-Sodium Wellness Variation: Use low-sodium beef broth, reduce added salt, and incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to boost flavor without increasing sodium content.

What To Serve With Hamburger Noodle Soup

  • Robust Red Wine Pairing: Select a medium-bodied red like Pinot Noir or Merlot to complement the hearty beef and ham flavors, cutting through the richness while enhancing the soup's meaty profile.
  • Crusty Garlic Bread Companion: Serve warm, toasted sourdough or French baguette slices with a light garlic butter spread to provide a crunchy texture contrast and soak up the delicious broth.
  • Fresh Garden Salad Match: Prepare a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette dressing featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, substantial soup.

How To Keep Hamburger Noodle Soup Fresh

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and store for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing noodles separately to maintain texture.
  • Gently warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water to prevent drying and restore original consistency.
  • Pour soup into a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Stop when soup reaches desired temperature.

Hamburger Noodle Soup Questions Answered

  • Is this soup nutritious?

This hearty soup provides a balanced meal with protein from beef and ham, vegetables for nutrients, and carbohydrates from egg noodles. It offers a good mix of essential vitamins and minerals.

  • Can I make this soup healthier?

Use lean ground beef, reduce salt, add more vegetables like spinach or kale, and choose whole wheat egg noodles to increase nutritional value.

  • What's the best way to enhance the soup's flavor?

Brown the meat thoroughly, sauté vegetables until they caramelize, and use fresh herbs like thyme or parsley as a finishing touch to boost overall taste complexity.

  • How can I prevent the noodles from becoming soggy?

Add egg noodles near the end of cooking, simmer for just 6-8 minutes, and avoid overcooking to maintain their perfect texture and prevent them from becoming mushy.

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Hamburger Noodle Soup Recipe

Hamburger Noodle Soup Recipe


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4.6 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty hamburger noodle soup brings comfort straight from midwestern kitchens, blending rich ground beef with tender egg noodles in a savory broth. Warm bowls deliver satisfying flavors that embrace home-style cooking and nourish hungry souls with each delicious spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cups diced ham

Noodles and Vegetables:

  • 2 cups egg noodles
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced onions

Liquid and Seasonings:

  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then thoroughly brown the ground beef until no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbles.
  2. Add diced ham to the browned beef and sauté for 2-3 minutes to develop rich flavor and slight caramelization.
  3. Incorporate diced onions, carrots, and celery into the meat mixture, cooking until vegetables begin to soften and become translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the vegetable-meat mixture, stirring to evenly distribute the seasonings.
  5. Pour beef broth and water into the pot, then add bay leaves to infuse additional depth of flavor.
  6. Bring the soup to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld together.
  7. Remove bay leaves, then add egg noodles and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes until noodles are tender but not mushy.
  8. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, then ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef with 85-90% meat content to reduce excess grease and keep the soup lighter.
  • Vegetable Flexibility: Swap carrots, celery, or onions with seasonal vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for variety and personalization.
  • Noodle Options: Use whole wheat or gluten-free egg noodles to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor.
  • Flavor Boosting: Consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine for deeper, more complex umami undertones in the soup.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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