Are you searching for the perfect one-pot meal? A hearty, satisfying, and incredibly easy soup that is packed with flavor and comes together in about 30 minutes? This amazing, from-scratch Spinach Beef Soup with Pasta is that perfect weeknight dinner you’ve been looking for. It’s a complete, soul-warming meal in a bowl that the whole family will absolutely love.
This isn’t just another soup recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite comfort food. We’ll show you how to build a rich, savory broth and how the brilliant technique of cooking the pasta directly in the soup not only saves you a pot but also infuses every single noodle with incredible flavor. Loaded with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and healthy spinach, this is the kind of satisfying meal that makes a chilly evening feel cozy and special.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate One-Pot Wonder
What makes this Spinach Beef Soup so spectacularly delicious is its incredible depth of flavor, all developed in a single pot with minimal effort. The recipe cleverly uses a can of diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery, and onion as a fantastic shortcut to build a classic, aromatic flavor base without all the chopping. The brilliant technique of cooking the pasta directly in the savory beef broth not only makes this a convenient one-pot meal but also uses the starches from the pasta to naturally thicken the soup to a perfect, luscious consistency. It’s a foolproof, crowd-pleasing soup that is perfect for any night of the week.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 35 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 8 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Hearty Soup
This recipe uses a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Savory Base:
- Lean Ground Beef: A pound of lean ground beef provides a rich, savory, and satisfying protein base for our soup.
- The Shortcut Veggies: A can of diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery, and onion is a fantastic shortcut that gives you the flavor of a classic mirepoix without any of the dicing.
- The Broth & Pasta:
- Beef Broth: A high-quality, reduced-sodium beef broth forms the rich and savory liquid base of our soup.
- Bow Tie Pasta: Also known as farfalle, this fun pasta shape is a perfect choice. The pasta is cooked directly in the soup, which infuses it with flavor and helps to thicken the broth.
- The Greens & Garnish:
- Fresh Spinach: A few large handfuls of fresh, chopped spinach are stirred in at the very end. This adds a beautiful pop of vibrant green color and a boost of extra nutrients without becoming overcooked.
- Parmesan Cheese: A final, generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a wonderful, salty, nutty, and savory finish to each bowl.
Step-by-Step to the Best Beef and Spinach Soup
This delicious, one-pot soup is incredibly simple to prepare. We’ve also included instructions for making this in a slow cooker or in an Instant Pot!
Method 1: The Classic Stovetop Simmer (Fastest!)
Step 1: In a large, 6-quart stockpot or Dutch oven, cook the 1 pound of ground beef and the 3 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles with a wooden spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
Step 2: Stir in the 2 cartons (64 ounces) of beef broth, the two 14.5-ounce cans of diced tomatoes with their juices, and all the seasonings: the 1 teaspoon of dried basil, the 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, the 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, and the 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Step 3: Bring the soup to a boil.
Step 4: Stir in the 3 cups of uncooked bow tie pasta and bring the soup back to a rolling boil.
Step 5: Cook the soup, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 7-9 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
Step 6: Stir in the 4 cups of fresh, chopped spinach until it has just wilted, which will only take about a minute.
Serve the soup warm in large bowls, with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Method 2: The Slow Cooker (For a Set-It-and-Forget-It Meal)
Step 1: In a large skillet, complete Step 1 from the stovetop method above (browning the ground beef and garlic). Drain the fat.
Step 2: Transfer the cooked beef and garlic mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add the broth, the tomatoes, and all the seasonings.
Step 3: Stir everything together, cover the slow cooker, and cook on the Low setting for 6-7 hours or on the High setting for 3-4 hours.
Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the uncooked pasta and the fresh spinach.
Method 3: The Instant Pot (Another Fast Option)
Step 1: Using the “Sauté” function on your Instant Pot, complete Step 1 from the stovetop method directly in the pot. Drain the fat.
Step 2: Turn off the “Sauté” function. Stir in the broth, the tomatoes, and all the seasonings. Add the uncooked pasta.
Step 3: Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 4 minutes. Perform a quick release of the pressure.
Step 4: Open the lid, stir in the fresh spinach until it has wilted, and serve.
The Best Hearty Beef and Spinach Soup (Easy One-Pot Recipe!)
A quick and hearty one-pot recipe for Spinach Beef Soup, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This simple soup features ground beef, bow tie pasta, and fresh spinach in a savory beef and tomato broth. The ground beef is browned with garlic, then simmered with seasoned diced tomatoes, beef broth, and dried herbs. The pasta is cooked directly in the soup, and fresh spinach is wilted in at the very end. The dish is served with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cartons (32 ounces each) reduced-sodium beef broth
- 2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery and onion, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
- 4 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- In a 6-quart stockpot, cook the ground beef and minced garlic over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in the beef broth, undrained diced tomatoes, basil, pepper, oregano, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta and return the soup to a boil.
- Cook, uncovered, for 7-9 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the coarsely chopped spinach and cook just until it has wilted.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle each serving with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- This is a one-pot meal, which makes for very easy preparation and cleanup.
- Cooking the pasta directly in the soup broth allows it to absorb more flavor and helps to thicken the soup.
- The fresh spinach is added at the very end of the cooking process so that it just wilts and retains its bright green color and texture.
How to Serve Your Spinach Beef Soup
This hearty soup is a perfect, complete meal on its own. A few simple accompaniments can make it even better!
- A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
- A side of warm, crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into that incredible, savory broth.
- A simple green salad with a zesty Italian vinaigrette.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
A hearty soup like this one is the perfect make-ahead meal, as the flavors actually become even deeper and more delicious on the second day!
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the entire soup a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: This soup freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: As the recipe notes, the soup will thicken considerably in the refrigerator as the pasta absorbs the broth. When you are reheating it, simply add an extra splash of beef broth or water until it has reached your desired consistency.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, this soup is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of ground Italian sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
- Make it a Creamy Soup: For a richer, creamier broth, you can stir in about 1/2 cup of heavy cream or a 4-ounce block of softened cream cheese at the very end of the cooking time, until it has melted and the soup is creamy.
- Use a Different Green: If you don’t have spinach, you could easily substitute it with about 2 to 3 cups of chopped, hearty kale or Swiss chard. Just be sure to add these tougher greens to the pot along with the pasta to give them enough time to become tender.
Enjoy The Ultimate One-Pot Wonder!
You’ve just created a truly special soup that is a perfect harmony of hearty, wholesome, and delicious flavors. This Spinach Beef Soup is a testament to the power of a simple, one-pot meal to bring comfort and joy. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new family favorite.
We hope you enjoy every last, warm, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, hearty soup!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the best way to keep my pasta from getting too mushy in the soup leftovers?
Because the pasta is cooked directly in the soup, it will naturally continue to soften and absorb the delicious broth as the soup sits in the refrigerator. The soup will still be absolutely delicious, just very thick! If you strongly prefer your pasta to be al dente, you can cook it separately and simply add it to each individual bowl as you serve the soup.
Q2: Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, this is an absolutely perfect make-ahead soup! The flavors will actually be even better on the second day. Simply let it cool completely, store it in the refrigerator, and then gently reheat it on the stovetop. You will likely need to add an extra splash of broth to thin it out as it reheats.
Q3: Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe containers. When you are ready to eat, you can thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat it gently on the stovetop.
Q4: What kind of pasta is best for a soup like this one?
A small to medium pasta shape that can hold its own in the hearty broth is a great choice. The bow tie pasta (farfalle) in this recipe is fantastic. Other great options would be small shells, ditalini, or elbow macaroni.
Q5: Can I use fresh vegetables instead of the canned tomatoes with vegetables?
Of course! If you prefer to use all fresh ingredients, you can simply sauté about 1/2 cup each of finely chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper for 5-7 minutes before you add the ground beef and the garlic.