Description
This hearty Beefy Tomato Macaroni is a comforting dish that’s easy to make and perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Grab a big-ish pot or Dutch oven—one with a lid, ideally. Set it over medium heat. Toss in the ground beef and onion. Stir occasionally, and break up the meat; you want it browned and the onions a little soft. If there’s a lot of grease, I usually drain it here (but sometimes I forget and it’s still okay.)
- Throw in the garlic. Stir for 30 seconds or until it’s fragrant—sometimes I just eyeball it and give a sniff. If it smells garlicky, you’re golden.
- Now add your tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (juice and all), beef broth, paprika, and oregano. Give everything a good ol’ mix. Sometimes it looks a bit odd right now—don’t panic, it comes together soon.
- Bring it all to a simmer. This is often when I go tidy the kitchen counter or just stand there thinking about nothing in particular.
- Stir in the elbow macaroni. Pop the lid on (kind of askew if your lid is wonky, like mine). Let it simmer for about 12–15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is just about al dente. Try a noodle! (I always do, sometimes twice, who’s counting?)
- Season with salt and pepper. Taste it and adjust—sometimes I add more paprika if I’m feeling spicy. If you want cheese, sprinkle it over the top and let it melt—sometimes I stick the pot under a broiler for a minute for a bubbly cheese crust, but only if I’m feeling fancy.
- Scoop into bowls. If it’s too thick, add a splash more broth. If it’s too soupy, just let it sit for five—pasta soaks it up fast.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg