Quick & Easy Hamburger Soup

Ingredients
1 to 1 1/3 pound ground beef
1 cup diced yellow onion (from 1 small onion or 1/2 large onion)
2 stalks celery, diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 sweet bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup red wine, optional
1 cup elbow macaroni, optional

Method:

1.Brown the beef: In a large Dutch oven  or stock pot over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon into large chunks.

2.When browned, use a slotted spoon to transfer the ground beef onto a paper towel lined plate to drain. Set it aside.

3.Cook the vegetables: Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat from the ground beef (or add enough olive oil to make 1 tablespoon if there's not much fat).

4.Add the diced onion, celery, carrot and bell pepper and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.

5.Add the seasonings, tomatoes, and broth: Stir in the tomato paste and garlic, and cook about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add in the oregano, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.

6.Stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, and red wine (if using). Lastly, add the cooked ground beef back to the pan. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

7.Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a rapid simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for about 20 minutes. If you are adding elbow macaroni, add it halfway through cooking, and cook until the pasta is tender.

8.Serve immediately. Leftovers will keep up to 5 days refrigerated