In a large kettle, brown 1 lb stew meat, cubed roast or ground beef. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Add entire amount of soup mix, including the noodles. Reduce heat and simmer 30 - 45 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stovetop cooking is better for this soup. We feel the noodles became too mushy when using a crockpot (even when tested with different cooking times and temperatures.