Ken'S Favorite Soup
Ken's Favorite Soup is hearty and flavorful, combining ground meat, vegetables, and beans in a savory tomato broth, perfect for comforting family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground meat ⓘ
- 1 c. diced onion ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced carrots ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans ⓘ
- 2 c. water ⓘ
- 3 beef bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 1 tsp. parsley ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. sweet basil ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 2 c. shredded cabbage ⓘ
- 1 c. frozen green beans ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat in a large pot.
- Add diced onion, sliced celery, sliced carrots, and minced garlic; cook until vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the can of tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, water, beef bouillon cubes, parsley, salt, oregano, basil, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add shredded cabbage and frozen green beans to the soup.
- Continue cooking until the vegetables and macaroni are tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using a mix of ground meats, such as beef and turkey. If you're short on time, pre-chopped vegetables can save prep time. You can substitute canned diced tomatoes for fresh tomatoes or add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a deeper flavor. Adjust herbs based on your preference; for instance, fresh herbs work wonderfully in this soup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Ken's Favorite Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of grated cheese. It pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a side of Cucumber Salad(From The Four Seasons Restaurant New York) for a refreshing contrast. This hearty soup is perfect for a cozy family dinner on chilly nights.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, simply warm the soup on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of water or broth if necessary to reach your desired consistency. This soup also freezes well for up to three months.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ken'S Favorite Soup contains roughly 1293 calories, with 70g protein, 206g carbohydrates, and 34g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (237% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and protein (140% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1676mg per serving (73% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup in advance?
Yes, this soup can be made in advance and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Prepare it up to the point before adding the cabbage and green beans, then cool completely before storing. When ready to serve, reheat and add the fresh vegetables just before serving.
What can I add to make it more filling?
For a heartier version, add cooked pasta or rice to the soup. Alternately, you can include more beans or lentils for added protein and fiber. Both options will make the soup even more satisfying and can easily be adjusted according to your dietary preferences.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Yes, Ken's Favorite Soup freezes well. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. When reheating, you may need to add a bit of water or broth to loosen the consistency, especially if it thickens after freezing.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).