You will need:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 can 14oz diced tomatoes
6 cups beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 cup chopped spinach or kale, optional
Salt + black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
To make it:
Heat olive oil in a big pot over medium-high heat
Add ground beef, season with salt + pepper. Cook 5-6 min until browned. Drain excess fat
Add onion, carrots, celery, bell pepper. Sauté 5 min until soft
Add garlic, tomato paste, thyme, oregano. Cook 1 min until fragrant
Stir in diced tomatoes, barley, beef broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil
Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 45-50 min until barley is tender
Stir in spinach in the last 5 min to wilt
Taste and adjust salt + pepper. Remove bay leaf
Garnish with fresh parsley.