Slow Cooker Mediterranean Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
A heart-healthy slow cooker soup made with extra-lean ground beef, zucchini, diced tomatoes, and sweet carrots simmered in a savory herb broth. Easy to batch prep for 4 nourishing, high-protein weekday lunches.
Prep
15 min
Cook
240 min
Total
255 min
Makes
4 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Mendy + Lila
Mendy created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
240 min
Total
255 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Batch Storage: Stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat…
- 01
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat…
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C).
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the lean ground beef and dry…
Add the lean ground beef and dry oregano to the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned with no pink remaining. Drain any excess grease.
Look for: browned with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 03
Transfer the cooked beef into the slow…
Transfer the cooked beef into the slow cooker basin.
Tap card to mark done - 04
Add the diced tomato
Add the diced tomato, diced carrot, diced celery, diced zucchini, beef bone broth, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme to the slow cooker.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Stir all ingredients together until the tomato…
Stir all ingredients together until the tomato paste is completely dissolved into the broth.
Look for: the tomato paste is completely dissolved into the broth
Tap card to mark done - 06
Cover with the lid and cook on…
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the carrots and celery are fork-tender.
Look for: the carrots and celery are fork-tender
Tap card to mark done - 07
Stir in the fresh baby spinach during…
Stir in the fresh baby spinach during the last 10 minutes of cooking until just wilted.
Look for: just wilted
Tap card to mark done - 08
Ladle 2 cups into each bowl to…
Ladle 2 cups into each bowl to serve immediately, or divide equally into 4 airtight meal-prep containers and let cool before chilling.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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