Busy Day Beef Vegetable Soup

I first made this dish last winter and it's since become a staple in my house. It's so easy to throw together and so good! I chopped my veggies the night before so when I woke up all I had to do was throw everything into the slow cooker. I came home to a warm, ready-to-eat, delicious meal!

Busy-Day Beef Vegetable Soup

Prep: 20 minutes / Cook: 8 to 10 hours (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high) / Makes: 4 servings

1 pound boneless beef chuck pot roast

3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into ½ -inch pieces

2 small potatoes, cut into ½ inch pieces

½ cup chopped onion (1 medium)

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1 bay leaf

2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup water

½ cup frozen peas

Fresh parsley sprigs (optional)

1. Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 3/4 –inch pieces. In 3 ½ - or 4-quart slow cooker, combine meat, carrots, potatoes, and onion. Sprinkle with salt and thyme; add bay leaf. Pour in undrained tomatoes and the water.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Discard bay leaf. Stir in frozen peas. If desired, garnish each serving with parsley.

Nutrition facts per serving: 269 calories, 4g fat, 67mg cholesterol, 746mg sodium, 29g carbohydrates, 4g fiber, 28g protein

Unfortunately, I don't remember where I originally found this recipe but my best guess is Better Homes and Gardens. I make it according to the directions above, but I do increase the amount of carrots and potatoes and I've even added celery before. 

I figured Jack would pick at it before really giving it a chance (despite having had it before), but he immediately started digging in and with 2 utensils!

He had a pretty good sized bowl full and it was completely clean by the time he was done. He even asked for more so I gave him a couple pieces of potato and then some applesauce for dessert. The best part? As soon as I sat him down and put the bowl in front of him he said, "Thank you, mommy." And he kept thanking me all throughout the meal. I couldn't have been happier!

This is seriously such an easy dish to make and you can add or remove ingredients to your liking. Next up: Tasty Turkey Chili!