Hearty Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Soup Base:** 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent (about 5 minutes). 3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. 2. **Cook the Ground Beef:** 1. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary. 3. **Add Vegetables and Spices:** 1. Stir in the diced carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften. 2. Add the tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and dried oregano. Stir well to combine. 4. **Simmer the Soup:** 1. Pour in the beef broth and add the diced tomatoes (with their juice). Bring the soup to a boil. 2. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally. 5. **Season and Serve:** 1. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. 2. Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving. 6. **Garnish:** 1. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and sliced green onions. Enjoy your hearty ground beef and vegetable soup! Enjoy!