Hearty Crock Pot Beef and Vegetable Medley
This Hearty Crock Pot Beef and Vegetable Medley is a comforting dish perfect for busy days. Packed with nutritious vegetables and a savory blend of ground sirloin and Italian sausage, this soup provides a wholesome and satisfying meal without the hassle. Whether you have a few leftover veggies or prefer to stick with the suggested ingredients, feel free to customize as you like. The combination of beef broth and V8 vegetable juice creates a flavorful base that simmers throughout the day, filling your home with an irresistible aroma. Best served hot, this soup is perfect for family dinners or meal prepping for the week ahead.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground sirloin
0.5 lbs (crumbled)
sweet Italian sausage link
0.5-0.75 lbs (removed from casing)
beef broth
4 cups (prepared from beef base)
V8 vegetable juice
2 cups (none)
corn
16 ounces (canned)
whole tomatoes
26 ounces (canned, chopped)
mushroom pieces
8 ounces (canned)
Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1.25 ounces (none)
frozen potatoes (e.g., home fries)
8 ounces (frozen)
frozen spinach
5 ounces (frozen)
Mrs. Dash seasoning mix
1 tablespoon (none)
seasoning salt
1 tablespoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and brown the ground sirloin and sweet Italian sausage until fully cooked.
2
Drain excess fat from the meat, then transfer it to the crock pot.
3
Chop the whole tomatoes and add them to the crock pot along with their juices.
4
Stir in the beef broth, V8 vegetable juice, canned corn, canned mushrooms, frozen potatoes, frozen spinach, and the Lipton Onion Soup Mix.
5
Add the Mrs. Dash seasoning mix and seasoning salt, mixing all ingredients well to ensure even distribution.
6
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
7
Once cooked, stir before serving and enjoy hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Crock Pot Beef and Vegetable Medley?
It is a comforting slow-cooker soup made with ground sirloin, Italian sausage, and a variety of vegetables in a savory beef and V8 juice base.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What type of beef should I use?
The recipe calls for 0.5 lbs of crumbled ground sirloin.
What kind of sausage is included?
It uses 0.5 to 0.75 lbs of sweet Italian sausage links, removed from the casing.
Do I need to cook the meat beforehand?
Yes, you should brown and crumble the ground sirloin and Italian sausage in a skillet and drain the fat before adding them to the crock pot.
What is the liquid base for the soup?
The base consists of 4 cups of beef broth and 2 cups of V8 vegetable juice.
What vegetables are included in the recipe?
The medley includes canned corn, canned whole tomatoes, canned mushrooms, frozen potatoes, and frozen spinach.
How do I prepare the canned tomatoes?
The 26 ounces of canned whole tomatoes should be chopped before being added to the crock pot with their juices.
What is the recommended cooking time?
Cook the soup on low for 6 to 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to become tender.
Can I use frozen potatoes?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 8 ounces of frozen potatoes, such as home fries.
What seasonings are used for flavor?
It is seasoned with Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Mrs. Dash seasoning mix, and seasoning salt.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, its large yield of 12 servings makes it excellent for meal prepping for the week ahead.
How should I serve this medley?
It is best served hot, making it perfect for family dinners or cold days.
Can I customize the vegetables?
Yes, feel free to customize the recipe with leftover vegetables or stick with the suggested ingredients.
Is the V8 vegetable juice essential for this recipe?
V8 juice adds a unique savory flavor to the base, though you could substitute it with tomato juice if necessary.
What type of mushrooms are used?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of canned mushroom pieces.
Do I need to defrost the spinach?
The recipe uses 5 ounces of frozen spinach which can be added directly to the crock pot.
How much Lipton Onion Soup Mix is needed?
You will need one 1.25-ounce packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix.
What is the purpose of the Mrs. Dash seasoning?
Mrs. Dash adds a blend of herbs and spices to enhance the flavor without adding extra salt.
Can I make this on the stovetop instead of a crock pot?
Yes, you can simmer the ingredients in a large pot on the stove until the vegetables are tender.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is packed with nutritious vegetables and lean proteins like ground sirloin.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, ground turkey can be substituted for ground sirloin if you prefer a different protein.
What size crock pot is recommended?
Due to the volume of ingredients, a 6-quart or larger crock pot is recommended for this recipe.
Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?
Yes, fresh or frozen corn can be used as a substitute for the canned corn.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can this soup be frozen?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Is the Italian sausage spicy?
The recipe calls for sweet Italian sausage, which is mild, but you can use hot sausage if you prefer.
Should I drain the canned mushrooms?
The instructions do not specify, but you can drain them if you prefer to control the sodium content.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 main ingredients in this recipe.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Clear Soup.