Homemade Hearty Hamburger Soup

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The other day, I had mentioned making homemade soup on a blustery, snowy day.  Well the soup turned out delicious and I thought you might like the recipe or file it away for a day when soup sounds good.

My recipe is easily adaptable and oh so many ingredients can be added or omitted.  This is one reason why I love homemade soup .... anything goes!  I believe any soup can be good when using good, wholesome ingredients.  Soup is a complete dinner or lunch in a bowl and one of my favorite meals to serve in winter.

Ingredients:

1 pound of hamburger, browned

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon of olive oil (for browning the onion)

3 celery stalks, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 bay leaf

2 cups of water

3 cups of beef broth, either homemade or from a can

1 can yellow or green beans

1 large can diced tomatoes (28 oz)

2 cans of condensed tomato soup

1/2 cup of Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes

1/2 cup barley

salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon fresh or dried parsley

Optional: fresh mushrooms, peppers, pasta, diced cabbage, carrots or any vegetable you might have in your fridge!

Directions:

Saute onions in olive oil.  Add hamburger and brown until crumbled.  Drain well.  

Add all ingredients to a large stock pot and simmer on the stove for approximately two hours or to a large crock-pot.  If using a crock-pot leave on high for two hours then turn to low for approximately six to seven hours.  I use medium barley and the barley seems to take the longest.  If the soup tends to be on the runny side, add a small can of tomato paste.  Mix it in well. 

Serve with homemade bread slathered in homemade butter. (the 'slathered' butter isn't healthy but the soup makes up for it!) Oh so delicious!

This will generously serve 8 people.  

Enjoy and remember to give your loved ones a hug .... along with homemade soup!