Hamburger Soup

1 lb. ground beef
5 cup water
1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 medium onion, chopped fine
4-5 medium carrots sliced
1/4 cup ketchup
1 TB instant beef bouillon
2 tsp Lawry's salt
1 tsp dried basil
1 bay leaf
6 medium potatoes cut into chunks
salt and pepper
 optional 2 cups frozen corn.

Brown ground beef, drain.  Add water, un-drained  tromatoes, onion, carrots, potatoes, ketchup, bouillon, salt, pepper, basil, and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmer, covered for 1 hour or until vegetables are tender. Season to taste.  During the last hour the soup thickens!