Hamburger Soup

This is a recipe that I got from my Mom.  It's one of the things she consistently made for us as long as I can remember.  I think the only thing I have changed here is the addition of the onion.  Mom left that out because my sister didn't like onion (still doesn't - she's crazy!), but I had to put some in there because I love the flavor it gives the ground beef.  Plus it just seemed wrong browning ground beef without it.  You can change up the veggies to suit your preference, but try using the seasonings as listed:  sugar, salt, and pepper.  I have tried adding different seasonings in the past, but it somehow takes away from the classic simplicity of the original taste.  Another tip:  don't junk it up with a bunch of fancy crackers.  If you must add some crunch, go for just a few plain saltines.  But I eat mine plain.  I guess I always have.

Hamburger Soup

1.25(ish) lbs lean ground beef or ground sirloin
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 29 oz can tomato sauce
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1 small can peas, drained
1.5 cups frozen sweet corn (or use canned, drained)
1/2 cup diced carrots (or use canned, drained)
1 potato
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with diced onion.

Once browned, reduce heat, and add carrots.  Cook until carrots have softened (5-10 min).

In a large stock pot, combine tomato sauce, tomatoes, water, peas, and corn.  Heat on medium, stirring often.

In the meantime, poke some holes in your potato with fork.  Microwave for about 5 minutes, or until it's cooked through.  Once cooled enough to handle, cut into bite size chunks.  The peel on my potato started coming off, so I went ahead and peeled the whole thing to avoid pieces of peel floating around the soup.

Next, add your ground beef to the tomato mixture.  I did not have to drain mine since it was lean, but if you use ground chuck, you will want to drain the fat off.  Stir in potatoes.

Cook for another 10 minutes or so, until soup is very hot, but not quite boiling.  Serve immediately.  Enjoy!