Creamy and Hearty Keto Beef & Tomato Soup: 15-Minute Comfort Food Without the Carbs
The aroma of simmering tomatoes mingles with savory ground beef as steam rises from your pot, creating that unmistakable comfort food magic that makes everyone gather in the kitchen. This isn't your ordinary tomato soup—it's a hearty, protein-packed meal that transforms a simple childhood favorite into a satisfying keto-friendly dinner that actually fills you up.
I developed this recipe during one of those hectic weeknights when my youngest was craving his beloved tomato basil soup, but I needed something more substantial for the whole family. After countless experiments with different pasta alternatives and creaminess levels, I discovered that lupini bean noodles and cream cheese create the perfect balance of comfort and nutrition. The result? A soup that tastes like you've been simmering it all day, but comes together in just 15 minutes using one pot—because who has time for complicated cleanup on a Tuesday night?
What makes this recipe truly special is how it delivers all the cozy satisfaction of traditional beef and noodle soup without the carb crash. The rich, velvety broth coats tender pieces of seasoned ground beef while low-carb noodles provide that satisfying texture we all crave in comfort food.
What Makes This Recipe Special
- One-Pot Simplicity: Everything cooks in a single Dutch oven, from browning the beef to the final creamy finish—minimal cleanup required
- Protein Powerhouse: With 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef, each serving delivers substantial protein to keep you satisfied for hours
- Genuinely Low-Carb: Lupini bean pasta provides the noodle experience with a fraction of traditional pasta carbs, plus added fiber and protein
- 15-Minute Magic: From start to finish, this hearty soup is ready faster than most takeout orders, perfect for busy weeknight dinners
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef
- ½ medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid Components
- 6 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar substitute (optional, like Swerve or Truvia)
Finishing Touches
- 8 oz lupini pasta (any shape)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
Detailed Instructions
Preparation Phase
- Prep your ingredients by dicing the onion and cubing the softened cream cheese. Having everything ready makes the cooking process seamless since this recipe moves quickly once you start.
Building the Base
- Brown the ground beef in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking the meat into small, uniform pieces with your spoon. You'll know it's ready when the beef is no longer pink and the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Drain excess grease if desired (though lean ground beef typically doesn't produce much). This step prevents the soup from becoming overly greasy.
- Add the aromatics by stirring in the dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Cook for another 30 seconds until the herbs become fragrant—this brief toasting enhances their flavor significantly.
Creating the Soup
- Build the tomato base by adding the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and brown sugar substitute (if using). The sugar substitute helps balance the natural acidity of the tomatoes, creating a more rounded flavor profile.
- Bring to a gentle simmer and add the lupini pasta. Stir well to prevent sticking and simmer for 4-6 minutes, or until the pasta reaches al dente texture. The lupini noodles cook faster than traditional pasta, so watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
Final Creamy Finish
- Remove from heat completely before adding the cream cheese—this prevents the cream cheese from separating or becoming grainy.
- Stir in the cubed cream cheese gradually, allowing each addition to melt completely before adding more. Continue stirring until the soup becomes velvety and uniform. The residual heat will melt the cream cheese perfectly.
Chef's Tips for Success
- Choose the right beef: Use 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef for the best balance of flavor and leanness—too lean and you'll miss the richness, too fatty and the soup becomes greasy
- Don't skip the herb toasting: Those 30 seconds of cooking the dried herbs with the beef awakens their essential oils and prevents them from tasting dusty in the finished soup
- Cream cheese temperature matters: Always use softened cream cheese and remove the pot from heat before adding it to prevent curdling and ensure smooth incorporation
- Make-ahead magic: This soup actually improves overnight as flavors meld—just reheat gently and thin with additional broth if needed
- Pasta texture control: Lupini noodles continue cooking slightly even after removing from heat, so aim for just shy of al dente if you plan to have leftovers
Nutritional Benefits
Compared to traditional beef and noodle soups loaded with refined pasta, this keto version delivers impressive nutritional advantages:
High-Quality Protein for muscle maintenance and satiety, with each serving providing approximately 25-30 grams. Lycopene from Tomatoes for heart health and antioxidant protection, enhanced by the fat content from beef and cream cheese. Lupini Bean Fiber for digestive health and blood sugar stability, containing 12g fiber per serving compared to 2g in regular pasta. Healthy Fats from cream cheese support hormone production and nutrient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Lower Inflammatory Response thanks to the absence of refined grains that can trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals.
Storage and Serving
Store leftover soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in airtight containers. The soup may thicken upon cooling—simply thin with additional chicken broth when reheating over medium-low heat. Serve hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for an extra flavor boost.
This soup freezes well for up to 3 months, though the cream cheese texture may change slightly upon thawing. For best results when meal prepping, consider freezing the soup base without the cream cheese and adding it fresh when reheating.
Final Thoughts
This Rich and Comforting Keto Beef & Tomato Soup proves that eating low-carb doesn't mean sacrificing the foods that bring us comfort and joy. Whether you're feeding a family on a busy weeknight or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with home-kitchen simplicity.
The genius lies in its versatility—it's sophisticated enough for guests yet simple enough for a Tuesday dinner rush. My youngest still asks for his "special tomato soup," and I love knowing that I'm serving him (and the whole family) a meal packed with quality protein and nutrients instead of empty carbs.
One spoonful of this velvety, herb-scented soup and you'll understand why it has become our go-to comfort meal. It's the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a kitchen hero without breaking a sweat—and isn't that exactly what we all need more of?
FAQ Section
Glossary of Key Terms
Share Your Success!
Have you tried this Rich and Comforting Keto Beef & Tomato Soup yet? I'd love to hear about your experience—did your family fall in love with it as much as mine did? What creative toppings or variations did you discover?
This recipe has become such a staple in our home, and I'm confident it'll earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation too. There's something magical about a soup that brings everyone to the table with smiles and satisfied sighs after that first spoonful.
Head over to my Pinterest channel and let me know how your soup turned out! Share your photos, tell me about any ingredient swaps you tried, or ask any questions that came up during cooking. I love connecting with fellow home cooks who understand that the best meals are the ones that nourish both body and soul—and this soup definitely delivers on both counts!