Hamburger Soup With or Without Noodles

The BEST Hamburger Soup Recipe

My Grandma used to make hamburger soup, and I always loved it! I guess I have always been a huge fan of soups in general, and always LOVED my veggies!

Hamburger Soup Recipe like Campbell’s Noodles & Ground Beef

When my Grandma always made her hamburger soup, she never added noodles. I loved it that way, but when I was missing my favorite Campbell’s soup one day, I thought that maybe I could come close to my old favorite if I added noodles.

So I added egg noodles, and I was super excited at just how similar it was! It wasn’t exact, by no means, I am not calling this a “Copy Cat Recipe” or anything, but it helps when I have a hankering for my discontinued friend.

Cherished Recipes from my Grandma

Ingredients in Grandma’s Hamburger Noodle Soup

These basic ingredients come together quickly to make this classic hamburger noodle soup: lean ground beef, carrots, celery, onions, fresh parsley, canned tomatoes, barley, beef bouillon, ketchup, dried basil and egg noodles. 

How to Make Hamburger Soup

This recipe for hamburger soup turns out great in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.  

Begin by browning your ground beef with onion and salt and pepper.  Drain any grease and return to pot. (or add all ingredients to crockpot at this stage)

Next add in all of the ingredients, with the exception of the noodles, to the pot, cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and cook for 90 minutes.

If you are adding noodles, prepare them and add them right before you serve the soup. 

find the full printable recipe at the bottom of this post

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What kind of noodles to use for Ground Beef Noodle Soup

The first time I discovered adding noodles to the vegetable beef soup was so fabulous, I used Kluski noodles that I purchased in the dry pasta section of the grocery store.  Many people use macaroni or other pastas in their Hamburger Noodle Soup Recipes. It’s really about what you like.

Last year, I got the urge to make homemade egg noodles like I always did with my grandma and my mom back when I was a kid. I haven’t turned back to the ones in the freezer section yet. Don’t get me wrong, those are great when you are in a rush. But now, when I plan to make something with egg noodles, I always allot myself a little extra time to make egg noodles from scratch. 

Another alternative to hamburger soup with noodles, would be hamburger soup with rice. Rice would make a great addition to the soup.

Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup

Easy Hamburger Soup with Barley

Do you cook with barley much? I absolutely love adding it to my soups and stews! It gives it a whole new level of heartiness in my opinion. Check out this Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup recipe. Done in no time and tasted like it cooked all day! It’s full of yummy barley. 

Even though my Mother in law’s Mulligan Stew recipe doesn’t call for barley, if I have it on hand, I always add it. 

Check out ALL of my Soup Recipes!

Fun fact about this ground beef soup recipe? It was featured on the Today Show Food website a few years back. How cool it was to have one of my Grandma’s recipes on such a popular food website!

Let’s get this comforting soup recipe! 

4.63 from 8 votes

Print Recipe

Hamburger Soup With or Without Noodles

My Grandma’s Hamburger Soup is comforting and delicious whether you make it with or without noodles.  Packed with seasoned lean ground beef, veggies and barley, it’s a hearty “stick to your ribs” kind of meal. Prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, it’s a long time family favorite of ours.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: barley, best hamburger soup recipe, easy, Grandma's, ground beef soup, hamburger soup, Hamburger Soup with or without Noodles, how to make hamburger noodle soup, noodles and ground beef soup

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 292kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 5 cups of water
• 1 - 16 ounce canned tomatoes
• 2 small onions chopped
• 2 carrots sliced
• 2 stalks of celery sliced
• 1/2 Tablespoon parsley
• 1/4 cup barley I use a little more, we love it!
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 Tablespoon instant beef bouillon
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Egg Noodles optional

Instructions

• In a large pot, salt and pepper ground beef to taste, and brown it with your onions.
• Drain. Place back in the pot. *at this point you could add ingredients to your crockpot or continue on the stove*
• Add the rest of your ingredients and bring to a boil.
• Reduce and Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.
• Add your prepared noodles before serving if desired.
• If you make it in your crockpot, just cook it on low all day.

Notes

*I usually amp up my veggies, because we like lots of them, don't be afraid to add more or something different, I have cut small potatoes into it before, or green beans, too *

**I always double this recipe when I make it - I love to have leftovers. Freezes well, too! **

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 586mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g

This recipe was originally posted on January 7, 2014. It was updated to improve user experience and shared again on December 1, 2020.