Oh, I know the feeling! Some weeknights you just need something that sticks to your ribs but doesn’t require you washing a sink full of dishes afterward. That’s why I turn to this wonderful Family Pepper Soup Recipe time and time again. It’s hearty, comforting, and honestly, it smells like home. I love how a colorful pepper soup looks simmering on the stove; just seeing it bubbling away makes the whole kitchen feel welcoming!
This soup truly feeds everyone from just one big pot, which is the best part. We use the simplest ingredients, too—things I usually have stocked anyway. If you’re looking for a satisfying, easy meal that brings everyone to the table without stress, you’ve got to try this one. For more comforting, easy meals like this, you should definitely check out my notes on crockpot stuffed pepper soup, too. Trust me, it’s an instant classic in our house.
Why This Family Pepper Soup Recipe Works for Weeknights
I’ll be honest, the best part about this Family Pepper Soup Recipe is how little cleanup there is. We are talking truly one pot, folks! It just delivers huge comfort without the massive mess. It’s such a reliable recipe because we always have the basic, hearty ingredients on hand.
- It generously feeds six people—perfect for our little tribe.
- Pantry staples mean no last-minute grocery runs!
- The cleanup is almost nonexistent; just that one big pot!
It’s the definition of easy family dinner perfection. You can find more ideas like this over in my easy family dinner recipes section.
Quick Prep and Cook Times for the Family Pepper Soup Recipe
You really can’t beat the timing here. You need about 15 minutes just to chop your veggies and get things started. Then, you let it simmer for 40 minutes, and that’s it! The hands-on time for this Family Pepper Soup Recipe is so minimal. That means I can get started on cleaning up the little bit of mess while dinner is doing the rest of the work. It’s a lifesaver on a Tuesday night.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Family Pepper Soup Recipe
You’ll notice right away that this recipe keeps things super straightforward. No strange spices or exotic vegetables here! We rely on pantry heroes to make this Family Pepper Soup Recipe feel so incredibly rich and homemade. Getting everything measured out upfront makes the soup-making process smooth like butter.
Here is exactly what you’ll need to have ready for six happy people:
- 400g ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced (any color works great here!)
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 800g crushed tomatoes
- 750ml beef broth
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Ingredient Clarity and Preparation Notes
If 15 minutes of prep feels too long, go ahead and buy pre-diced onions! That saves you a few minutes of chopping right away. My biggest tip for this soup, though, is to splurge just a little on the beef broth. Since this Family Pepper Soup Recipe relies on broth for so much of its base flavor, better quality broth makes a huge difference—you won’t regret it! For thoughts on different flavors of salt, I always recommend reading up on why I prefer kosher salt for soups.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Family Pepper Soup Recipe
Okay, getting this delicious, hearty soup on the table is honestly so easy. Remember how I mentioned you need that big pot? Go ahead and grab your large pot or a sturdy Dutch oven because we need the space for all those veggies to mingle! This process is perfect for learning why we cook aromatics before meat sometimes, but in this case, we’re doing them together!
- First things first, we have to brown the foundation! Cook your 400g of ground beef along with that diced onion right there in the pot over medium heat. Keep stirring until the beef looks totally browned through. If you end up with a ton of grease, carefully drain off most of it so your soup isn’t too heavy—just leave a little bit for flavor!
Browning the Meat and Aromatics
Seriously, don’t rush browning the beef and onion. That initial step builds all the deep, savory flavor we want in this Family Pepper Soup Recipe. You’re looking for that nice sizzle and a little bit of color on the bottom of the pot—that’s flavor gold! Once it’s brown, proceed to step two.
- Toss in your diced bell peppers and your sliced carrots. Give it a good stir and let those vegetables soften up just for a couple of minutes with the beef.
- Now, pour in the entire can of crushed tomatoes and the 750ml of beef broth. This is when it starts smelling amazing!
- Time to season it up! Add your dried basil and oregano, and don’t forget to season generously with salt and pepper. Taste as you go—this is where you make it *yours*.
- Finally, we let it cook—bring it up to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat. You need to let this simmer gently, uncovered, for a full 40 minutes.
- When the 40 minutes are up, give it one last taste test, and then it’s time to serve hot!
Simmering the Family Pepper Soup Recipe Base
That 40-minute simmer time is non-negotiable if you want real depth in this Family Pepper Soup Recipe. When it’s simmering, you can walk away, but make sure it’s just a gentle roll, not a violent boil. That slow heat coaxes all the spices and vegetables into one delicious flavor profile. That final seasoning step before serving is key, too—the saltiness changes a bit as it cooks down!
Tips for the Best Family Pepper Soup Recipe Results
So, you’ve followed the steps, and your Family Pepper Soup Recipe is simmering away nicely. But if you want to take it from ‘great weeknight meal’ to ‘this is what I’m making all winter long,’ you need a few little secrets! I’ve picked up a few tricks over the years on how to truly deepen that wonderful savory profile without adding a lot more time to the stove.
Don’t be afraid to play with the foundation flavors! Beef and tomato are strong, but layering aromatics differently can make all the difference in the final taste of your soup.
Vegetable Variations for Pepper Soup
The recipe calls for peppers, carrots, and onion, which is the perfect base palette. But if you have some odds and ends in the crisper drawer, toss them in! I love adding something a little different for texture.
- Celery is wonderful! It adds that classic mirepoix depth that pairs perfectly with the beef and makes the whole broth taste richer. Just dice up one or two stalks and throw them in when you add the carrots.
- Mushrooms are another fantastic addition for umami. If you have cremini or button mushrooms, slice them thin and sauté them along with the beef and onions to really boost that savory flavor. It helps give the broth a thicker, more satisfying feel.
If you need more ideas on beef boosters (and trust me, there are ways!), I wrote a whole piece on what can I add to ground beef to make it better that applies perfectly here. These small tweaks ensure your Family Pepper Soup Recipe is never boring!
Serving Suggestions for This Hearty Soup
You’ve got this gorgeous, steaming pot of flavor ready to go, so what do you serve alongside it? Since this soup is so filling on its own, you don’t need a ton of fuss, but a good accompaniment really elevates the whole experience, you know?
The number one thing that belongs next to every bowl of my Family Pepper Soup Recipe—even though I’m not mentioning the name—is bread. Crusty bread is non-negotiable! You need something sturdy to really soak up all that tomato-y, herby broth at the bottom of the bowl. I usually keep a loaf of sourdough around for exactly this purpose.
If you want something a little lighter besides bread, a simple side salad with a sharp vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the beef really nicely. Think mixed greens with maybe some cucumber or thinly sliced radish—nothing too heavy that will steal the show from your fantastic soup!
Speaking of things that go well together, if you’re into pairing dishes, I found some awesome ideas on what is a good side to have with stuffed peppers that translates beautifully to soup season. It’s all about balancing that hearty base flavor!
And hey, if you’re trying to wrap up the meal quickly, thinking about some Easy Treats for dessert doesn’t hurt! This soup is so comforting, you might want something simple afterward.
Storage and Reheating the Family Pepper Soup Recipe
Don’t you just love having leftovers? This Family Pepper Soup Recipe tastes even better the next day once all those spices have really settled in together! When storing, scoop the leftovers into an airtight container. I usually refrigerate mine for up to four days—any longer and I start worrying!
Reheating is super simple, too. I always prefer using the stovetop because it heats more evenly. Just bring it to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. A quick zap in the microwave works in a pinch, but watch your time so you don’t overheat those vegetables!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Family Pepper Soup Recipe
I always get a ton of questions when I post my favorite comfort meals, and this soup is no exception! It’s so straightforward, but that just means people want to know how they can tweak it for their family table. Here are some things I hear often about our Family Pepper Soup Recipe.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Oh, absolutely! I think this soup base is strong enough to handle a switch-up easily. If you want to skip the ground beef, I highly recommend using either green or brown lentils. You’ll add them when you add the broth and tomatoes, and they’ll cook right down into the soup, giving you that similar hearty texture. Alternatively, a nice plant-based crumble works perfectly too. Just brown that crumbles in the pot first, follow the steps the same way, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful vegetarian meal!
What are some easy desserts to serve after this meal?
If you’ve just made a huge, savory pot of soup, the last thing you want is a complicated dessert recipe, right? You need something simple and satisfying! I usually look for Easy Treats that don’t require much thinking. For example, if you have some fruit on hand, making a quick dump cake recipe is always a win—just throw fruit in a pan, top with cake mix and butter, and bake. If you’re feeling even lazier, a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream with some chocolate drizzle totally counts as the Easy Desserts With Few Ingredients we all need sometimes! It’s all about balance.
For more ideas on fast, no-fuss dinners that let you skip the cleanup, take a look at my category for easy dinner recipes!
Estimated Nutritional Data for Family Pepper Soup Recipe
Okay, since we are using 400g of ground beef and a whole can of crushed tomatoes, this is a satisfying, full meal! Please remember these numbers are just an estimate based on the ingredients I listed above—your specific brands might vary this a little bit. We call this Option A for tracking purposes in our family meal planner.
- Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
- Fat: Around 18g
- Protein: About 28g
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 20g
It’s a really balanced way to feed a crowd without feeling too heavy!
Share Your Family Pepper Soup Recipe Experience
I truly hope this Family Pepper Soup Recipe brings as much warmth and comfort to your table as it does to mine! When you make this for your own crew, please take a moment to swing back over here and let me know how it went. Did you try adding celery? Did your kids request seconds?
Leave a star rating below—I’m aiming high for five stars! And seriously, drop a comment detailing any fun little twists or substitutions you made while cooking. Sharing those little secrets is how we all get better together in the kitchen. If you have any specific questions that weren’t covered above, you can always reach out directly through my contact page!
Happy cooking!
By Clara Bennett, Lead Plate Designer at Recipes by Betty.
Family Pepper Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 400 g ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 800 g crushed tomatoes
- 750 ml beef broth
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp oregano
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a large pot until the beef is browned.
- Add the diced bell peppers and sliced carrots to the pot.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth.
- Season the mixture with basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the soup gently for 40 minutes.
- Serve the soup hot with bread.