Creamy Beef Meal Prep Soup: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be boring salads and dry chicken. This creamy beef soup is the perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights. It’s packed with flavor, hearty, and incredibly easy to prepare. This recipe is designed to be easily portioned and reheated, making it ideal for lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Why This Creamy Beef Soup Is Perfect for Meal Prep

This soup stands out for several reasons, making it a champion in the meal prep game. First, the creamy texture adds a comforting touch that many soups lack. The richness comes from simple ingredients, ensuring it’s satisfying without being overly heavy. Second, it is extremely versatile. You can easily customize the vegetables to your liking or what you have on hand. Finally, this soup reheats beautifully. The flavors meld together even more overnight, making it even better the next day. This is a make-ahead recipe that truly improves with time.

Benefits of Meal Prepping

Meal prepping offers a multitude of advantages, from saving time and money to improving your diet. By preparing your meals in advance, you reduce the temptation to grab unhealthy takeout options or skip meals altogether. It also gives you greater control over portion sizes and ingredients, making it easier to stick to your health goals. Having ready-to-eat meals readily available eliminates the stress of figuring out what to cook each day, freeing up valuable time for other activities. This soup recipe makes embracing meal prepping even easier!

The Ultimate Creamy Beef Soup Recipe

Ready to get cooking? Here’s a detailed recipe that guarantees a flavorful and satisfying creamy beef soup, perfect for your meal prep needs.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs Beef Stew Meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 2 Carrots, chopped
• 2 Celery Stalks, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 8 cups Beef Broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2 cups Cooked Egg Noodles (optional, add when reheating)
• Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment:

• Large Dutch Oven or Stockpot
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Measuring Cups and Spoons

Instructions:

1. Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Sear on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Combine Ingredients: Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and diced tomatoes. Stir in the dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

4. Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is tender. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be.

5. Thicken the Soup: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and flour until smooth. This creates a slurry that will thicken the soup.

6. Add Cream and Flour Mixture: Slowly pour the cream and flour mixture into the soup while stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the soup thickens to your desired consistency, about 2-3 minutes.

7. Add Noodles (Optional): If using, stir in the cooked egg noodles just before serving or reheating. Adding them too early can cause them to become mushy.

8. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips for Perfecting Your Soup

• Browning the Beef: Don’t skip the searing step! Browning the beef adds a rich, deep flavor to the soup. Make sure to do it in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can steam the meat instead of browning it.
• Low and Slow Simmering: Simmering the soup for a longer period allows the flavors to meld together and the beef to become incredibly tender.
• Customize Your Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like potatoes, mushrooms, or spinach to your soup. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Adjusting the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add more flour to the cream mixture. If you prefer a thinner soup, use less flour or add more broth.
• Flavor Boosters: Consider adding a bay leaf during simmering for extra depth of flavor. Remember to remove it before serving. A splash of Worcestershire sauce can also add a savory note.

Meal Prep and Storage Instructions

Proper storage and reheating are crucial for maintaining the quality and flavor of your meal prepped soup.

Storing Your Creamy Beef Soup

Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Portion the soup into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals. You can store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Freezing Tips:

• Use freezer-safe containers or bags to prevent freezer burn.
• Leave some headspace in the containers to allow for expansion during freezing.
• Label each container with the date and contents.

Reheating Your Soup

Reheating on the Stovetop:

Pour the soup into a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has become too thick during storage.

Reheating in the Microwave:

Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through.

Adding Noodles When Reheating: If you haven’t already, add the cooked egg noodles when reheating to prevent them from becoming too soft.

Variations and Adaptations

One of the best things about this creamy beef soup recipe is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to suit your dietary needs or preferences.

Low-Carb/Keto Version

To make a low-carb or keto-friendly version, simply omit the flour and egg noodles. You can thicken the soup with a small amount of cream cheese or xanthan gum. Replace the egg noodles with cauliflower rice or other low-carb vegetables.

Dairy-Free Version

For a dairy-free option, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Make sure to use a dairy-free beef broth. You can also use a cornstarch slurry instead of flour to thicken the soup.

Vegetarian Version

While this recipe is centered around beef, you can create a vegetarian version by using plant-based beef substitutes like Beyond Meat or Impossible Beef. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and load up on the vegetables!

Adding Extra Vegetables

Feel free to add extra vegetables like potatoes, peas, green beans, corn, or spinach to the soup. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly. Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots will need to be added earlier in the cooking process, while leafy greens like spinach can be added towards the end.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some common questions about making and storing creamy beef soup:

• Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Sear the beef as directed, then transfer all ingredients (except the cream and flour mixture) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cream and flour mixture during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

• How long does creamy beef soup last in the refrigerator?

Creamy beef soup will last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.

• Can I freeze creamy beef soup?

Yes, creamy beef soup freezes well. Store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2-3 months.

• How do I prevent the cream from curdling in the soup?

To prevent curdling, make sure to add the cream and flour mixture slowly while stirring constantly. Also, avoid boiling the soup after adding the cream.

• What can I serve with creamy beef soup?

Creamy beef soup pairs well with crusty bread, a side salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

• Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, this soup is perfect for making ahead of time! In fact, the flavors tend to meld together even more the next day, making it even more delicious.