Vegetable and Ground Beef Soup

 Ingredients:

– 1 lb (450g) ground beef
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 cups beef broth
– 2 cups water
– 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
– 2 cups green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
– 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
– 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
– 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 bay leaf
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 2 tbsp olive oil

 Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Ingredients:**
– Chop the onion, mince the garlic, peel and dice the potatoes and carrots, trim and cut the green beans.

2. **Cook the Ground Beef:**
– In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
– Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
– Remove the cooked beef from the pot and set aside. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

3. **Sauté the Vegetables:**
– In the same pot, add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
– Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

4. **Add the Broth and Vegetables:**
– Pour in the beef broth and water.
– Add the diced potatoes, green beans, carrots, corn, and canned tomatoes (including the juice).
– Return the cooked ground beef to the pot.

5. **Season and Simmer:**
– Stir in the dried thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
– Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

6. **Final Adjustments:**
– Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
– Remove the bay leaf before serving.

7. **Serve:**
– Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.

Enjoy your delicious and hearty vegetable and ground beef soup!