Easy to make with simple ingredients, this Mediterranean pepper soup is bursting with flavor!
Wonderfully hearty, this beef and tomato soup is loaded with natural and healthy ingredients.

Traditionally, we make stuffed peppers, but occasionally, I don't have enough peppers in the house, and this is a great way to still enjoy this meal and feed a family.
This Mediterranean pepper dish reminds me of growing up and being at home, indulging in my mom's cooking.
Made with simple and flavorful ingredients, it makes for a great healthy meal the whole family will love.
For more soup recipes, be sure to check out my Bey's Soup and Beef Soup with Semolina Dumplings.
📃 Why it Works
- Easy: It takes minutes to prep this dish with everyday ingredients, and it all comes together in one pot.
- Easy to make gluten-free: This is a great stew to make if you or someone in your family has an intolerance.
- Hearty: Made with ground beef and rice, this Mediterranean pepper soup will keep you feeling full.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef for this recipe. You could also make this with ground pork or chicken if that's what you have.
- Vegetables: Onion, green bell pepper, garlic, tomato.
- Tomato Paste: For a rich tomato flavor.
- All-purpose Flour: To thicken: use a 1:1 gluten-free flour if you have an intolerance.
- Rice: White rice turns it into a really hearty meal. You can also use barley instead.
- Broth: I use beef broth for the best flavor, but chicken or vegetable will also work well.
🔪 Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until a thick paste form (roux). Whisk constantly for 3-4 minutes while it bubbles; as it cooks, it will begin to thin.
- Add chopped onions and sauté, continually stirring, for 3-4 minutes longer (the kitchen smells so good when onions hit the roux). Stir in the tomato paste and add ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground beef for 5 minutes as it is cooking.
- Add garlic, chopped tomato, and peppers and mix until combined. Add broth and bring just to a light boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer, occasionally stirring for 30 minutes.
- Add rice and parsley and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until rice is cooked. This is a fairly thick soup, but if you find yours is too thick, add water until desired consistency.
- Make this soup in a heavy-bottomed pan or dutch oven. It will distribute heat more evenly.
- This is a stew-like dish, but you can stir in some additional water or stock if you prefer it thinner.
- This is a great recipe if you have vegetables to use up in your fridge. Mushrooms, carrots, or other colored bell peppers can easily be added to your Mediterranean pepper soup.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
This Mediterranean pepper soup is a great make-ahead meal. Let it cool before transferring it to an airtight container, and it will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
The rice will absorb some of the liquid as it sits, so when you reheat it, you may need to stir in a little extra stock or water to loosen it back up.
I used white rice in this soup; basmati or jasmine both work well. You can use brown or wild rice if you prefer, but be aware that the cooking time will need to be increased.
Garnish your Mediterranean pepper soup with parsley for a burst of freshness. Serve with crusty bread or the way I like it the best - with boiled whole potatoes.
- German Beer and Cheese Soup
- Quick and Easy Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
- Sopa de Pollo - Mexican Chicken Soup
- Peruvian Chicken and Corn Chowder
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Mediterranean Pepper Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean Ground Beef
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1 large green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 large Tomato, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose Flour
- ¼ cup uncooked Rice
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped Parsley, plus more for garnish
- 4 cups Beef Broth
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven heat oil over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until a thick paste forms (roux). Whisk constantly for 3-4 minutes while it bubbles; as it cooks, it will begin to thin.
- Add chopped onions and sauté, continually stirring, for 3-4 minutes longer (the kitchen smells so good when onions hit the roux). Stir in the tomato paste and add ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the ground beef for 5 minutes as it is cooking. Add garlic, chopped tomato and peppers and mix until combined.
- Add broth and bring just to a light boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Add rice and parsley and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until rice is cooked.
- This is a fairly thick soup, but if you find yours is too thick just add water until desired consistency.
- To serve, garnish with parsley. Serve with crusty bread or the way I like it the best - with boiled whole potatoes.
Holly @ While I'm Waiting says
Thank you for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday! I hope to see you back tomorrow!
Holly @ http://www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com
allthatsjas says
Thanks for stopping by, Holly, and for hosting. See you there!
Sheena says
I am always looking for a new recipe my children will enjoy. Hope my children love it as much as your granddaughter!! Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty hope you will join us again this week!!
allthatsjas says
I hope so too! Ava is not a picky eater although she's so petite. You should see her eating pickled beets like nobody's business, lol. Thanks for stopping in 😀
Sheena says
That is too funny!!! I have four children and they have their days where they are picky and then days where they aren't as picky.
allthatsjas says
At least they're not always picky 🙂
Stephanie says
How delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! This post has been pinned on the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! I love having you and can't wait to see you next week!
allthatsjas says
Aw, thank you, Stephanie! Have a great week!
Lindi says
Yummm!!! I love every single ingredient in this soup! It looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing it at the Talented Tuesday party 🙂
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Lindi! 🙂
Lou Lou Girls says
I’m drooling right now! This looks so good. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing this to our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls
allthatsjas says
Thanks, see you there! 😀
Bam's Kitchen says
This is one perfect bowl of deliciousness! Love all the flavours thick and hearty and yes it is just screaming for a good crusty bread. Kid do say the darndest things! I bet it is so fun spending time spoiling the grandkids and then sending them back to mom and dad. they probably never want to leave as grandma is the best cook!!! Sharing, pinning and sending smoke signals... Take care, BAM
allthatsjas says
You have no idea how much fun it is to spoil them and send them back! 😀 They are also perfect little paybacks, lol. You'll see. You made me giggle loud with your smoke signals, ha! Too funny....XOXO
Jennifer says
What a nice, filling soup! Thanks for linking up at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home!
Jennifer
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Jennifer! 😀
Enzie Shahmiri says
I will need to save this recipe and give it a try. It looks so delicious! I am new and linked up and hope to make new friends. 🙂 Please stop by Notably Wonderful and say hello. Happy 4th of July!
Enzie
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Enzie! Your paintings are simply amazing! Thanks for linking up and I hope you'll come back each week 🙂 Happy 4th!
Enzie Shahmiri says
Thank you for visiting my site and your nice compliment about my work. I am following your blog via Feedly and will visit again for sure 🙂
allthatsjas says
You're welcome, Enzie! I'll be stalking you for sure, I subscribed to your newsletter 🙂
Pam@over50feeling40 says
I'm going to keep this for cooler weather...it looks really good. Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog Hop and for being a great co-hostess!
allthatsjas says
Thanks, Pam! Have a fabulous weekend!
My Rose Colored Shades says
This looks delicious! I'm adding it to my list to try.
allthatsjas says
I hope you do! Thank you and have a wonderful day!
1010ParkPlace says
Oh, yes! This is right up my alley! I'm single, so I love having some kind of soup on hand I can heat up and heat. Thanks so much.
Brenda
allthatsjas says
Thanks, Brenda! It freezes very well, too 🙂 Thank you for stopping in!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup says
I've never had this soup, but it looks delicious (even in this heat!)
Thanks so much for sharing. Pinning!
allthatsjas says
Thanks for visiting, Heather! I hope you give it a try on a cool, rainy day 🙂 This soup is one of the few I don't mind having during summer. Some of my friends live in Australia and there is winter right now! I know, hard to wrap my mind around it. 😀 Blessings!
KayeSwain says
Hi, I popped over from the Grand Social. What sweet family memories you are making with those great recipes. And re: the cell phone incident - that is EXACTLY why I have my iPhone password protected. 🙂 And my little grand-darlin's do keep trying to figure out the code. Anytime they get close, I change it. Hurts my brain to have to relearn the new password but well worth it AND good brain food. Have a blessed and beautiful week! 🙂
allthatsjas says
Thanks, Kaye! Yeah, I don't know what's worse - to have the password or not. Pro having it for obvious reasons, but they are a pain in the neck. I often think what if there's an emergency and I can't unlock it to call my husband or someone else can't notify my family because my phone is locked. Eek! Thanks for stopping in and have a glorious day!
lisa@stylesofcooking says
I have my first grandchild arriving in October so your post made me smile at what I have to look forward to. Must hide my phone!! Your soup looks lovely, very hearty, thanks for sharing. Popping by from Tasty Tuesday
allthatsjas says
Congrats, Lisa, on your first grandbaby! You know, everyone tells you how much you're going to love them, but you really don't know until you hold them for the first time. It's indescribable! My second one is due in two weeks 😀 Thank you very much for popping by!
Ann GrubbsnCritters says
Soup looks yum and so good for cold days! I'm intrigued with your stuffed onions recipe - that's creative!
What were you playing grandma? :p Kids are so glib. How do they know so much words before 3! And thanks for linking my post, Jas! Definitely not a dragon parenting moment I'm proud of!
allthatsjas says
I'm not telling, ha! It is amazing how their little brains, like sponges, absorb words. She also called me a stinker-butt, lol. I can't even... 😀
We all have those moments we are not proud of, Ann, and I love how real you are and honest about it. I love that about you - you don't sugarcoat anything!
As for the stuffed onions recipe, I can't take the credit for creativity - it's an old traditional Bosnian recipe. Hope you try it. Hugs to you and the critters 🙂
Ann GrubbsnCritters says
stinker-butt!!! bwaahhahaaaa! That's got to be the funniest I have heard in a long time! 😀 Thank you for the kind words, Jas. I just can't do sugarcoating very well and that'show I offend people sometimes. Oops.
I really would have to try that stuffed onions recipe one of these days! 🙂 xxx.
allthatsjas says
LOL. Oh, well, truth hurts. Let them pout for a while 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Ann GrubbsnCritters says
I'm feeling VERY blessed indeed. 😀 x.
allthatsjas says
😀 Have a glorious day, my friend! XOXO
Love Keil (MunchkinTime) says
This Mediterranean Pepper Soup looks so delicious, pinning it for later to Yummy Recipe Board!
allthatsjas says
Thank you bunches! 🙂
sweatyandfit says
this soup looks so good!! perfect for bread dipping, thats for sure 🙂
allthatsjas says
Oh, yeah, that's the best part 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to visit!
Jasna says
Absolutely right...kids are here to teach us (oldies) some stuff ... thankful for that!
Pepper soup looks and sounds mouthwatering good!
allthatsjas says
Thank you, Jasna! I agree with you, kids are the biggest blessing! Enjoy rest of your week!
Katherines Corner says
Oh my goodness yes please. I can almost taste this delicious soup. Pinned xo
allthatsjas says
Thanks, sweetness! Wishing you a million reasons to keep smiling!
Pamela Shank says
This soup looks delicious. I could eat soup year-round. Will give it a try.
allthatsjas says
Thanks, Pamela! Hope you do try it 🙂 Have a nice day!