I don’t know about you but as soon as I feel the first hint of fall in the air, I start craving soup! What is it about soup that make it so irresistible when the weather gets cold? Is it the feeling of comfort when we are reminded of the soups our mothers or grandmothers made when we were children? Is it the feeling of the broth gently warming our throats after that first bite? Is it being able to eat it out of our favorite soup bowl, snuggled under a blanket in front of the fire? YES! For me, at least, it is all of those things and more!
Most, if not all, of my soup recipes start with our homemade chicken stock. If you’ve never made your own chicken stock, here is your sign to start! It is so easy and makes all the difference. Not only is it better for you than store bought (who knows what is being added to it), the taste doesn’t even begin to compare. Yes, it takes time, but everything worth having does. The best part is, you don’t have to buy any fancy ingredients to make stock. Our stock is made strictly from leftovers that we keep in the freezer until we have enough to make a batch of stock.
Besides chicken bones, we also save unwanted parts of the chicken breasts we use for our meals. Carrots, celery, and onion scraps are also saved and added in. This is typically the carrot “skin”, the celery tops and bottoms, and the onion tops, bottoms, and skin. We also add in a couple of tablespoons of chopped garlic, some oregano, and a splash or two of apple cider vinegar. The ACV helps to break down the bones and release as many nutrients as possible into the stock.
We like to cook ours in the crock pot for 24-48 hours, really just depending on when we have time to can it. You can also freeze your stock if you don’t have a pressure canner. Do NOT water bath stock! But let me tell you, there is something special about the smell of stock cooking. I would be willing to bet, it will bring back memories for you the way it does for me.
Okay, okay, back to the task at hand…sharing recipes!
This week I made a soup that is usually either first or second in our rotation. It is simple and humble but so flavorful that I guarantee you and your family will go back for seconds and maybe thirds. Hamburger Macaroni soup goes together quickly and with little effort, which is perfect for a Sunday evening when everyone is preparing for the week ahead.
So without further ado, here is your recipe:
HAMBURGER MACARONI SOUP
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt (or to taste)
¼ tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
4 cups beef broth (I use chicken stock and add beef bouillon)
2 cups dry small elbow macaroni, uncooked
fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Directions:
- Heat oil in a 6 quart Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot, about 2 minutes.
2. Add ground beef and cook until browned evenly, about 6-8 minutes. Use a spatula to break the ground beef into small pieces. Drain the excess fat.
3. Add onions, garlic, and carrots and sauté until tender, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce until evenly combined. Add diced tomatoes and beef broth. Mix well and bring the soup to a boil. Stir in macaroni pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the lid and simmer until the pasta has cooked through, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Serve warm with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, if desired.
When possible, I prefer to use our own vegetables from the garden that we have canned so in this recipe I get to use our canned carrots and diced tomatoes, along with the chicken stock!
So there it is, simple, easy, one pot, and absolutely delicious! Warm soup, some fresh sourdough bread to dip in it, and good company to share it with are good for the soul and nobody will ever convince me otherwise! Enjoy!
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