Beef and Macaroni Soup – Easy Hearty One-Pot Dinner

Beef and Macaroni Soup is a comforting one-pot meal made with ground beef, tender vegetables, tomatoes, beef broth, and elbow macaroni. Onion, carrots, celery, and garlic build the base, while Italian seasoning adds savory flavor to the tomato-rich broth. The macaroni cooks directly in the soup, making this an easy and satisfying dinner with simple ingredients. Ready in about 50 minutes, this homemade beef soup is a cozy option for a family meal.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Course: Soup / Main Dish
• Main Ingredient: Ground beef
• Pasta: Elbow macaroni
• Cooking Method: One pot

Why You’ll Love This Beef and Macaroni Soup

• Comforting and hearty: Ground beef, macaroni, and vegetables make this a filling soup.
• Simple ingredients: The recipe uses familiar pantry and refrigerator staples.
• One-pot preparation: The vegetables, beef, broth, and pasta all come together in one soup pot.
• Tomato-rich broth: Diced tomatoes and tomato sauce create the flavorful base.
• Easy weeknight dinner: The soup requires straightforward preparation and about 35 minutes of cooking time.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup frozen corn, optional
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How to Make Beef and Macaroni Soup

1. Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

2. Brown the Beef

Push the vegetables to one side of the pot.

Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns.

Drain any excess grease if needed.

3. Build the Soup

Stir the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning into the beef and vegetables.

Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water.

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

4. Simmer

Reduce the heat to low.

Cover the pot and simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

5. Cook the Macaroni

Stir the uncooked macaroni and optional frozen corn into the soup.

Continue cooking uncovered for 8–10 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender.

Stir occasionally while the pasta cooks to help prevent it from sticking.

6. Finish and Serve

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Ladle the beef and macaroni soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Important Cooking Tips

• Brown the beef thoroughly: Break the ground beef apart with a spoon as it cooks so it browns evenly.
• Drain excess grease if needed: The recipe calls for draining excess grease after browning the beef when necessary.
• Give the soup time to simmer: The 15-minute covered simmer allows the flavors to blend before the pasta is added.
• Watch the macaroni: Cook it uncovered for 8–10 minutes and stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Taste before serving: Adjust the salt and seasoning after the macaroni has finished cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Beef and Macaroni Soup take to make?

The recipe has 15 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes of cook time, for a total of about 50 minutes.

What type of beef is used?

The recipe calls for 1 pound of 85% lean ground beef.

Can I add corn to the soup?

Yes. 1 cup of frozen corn is listed as an optional ingredient and is added at the same time as the macaroni.

When do I add the macaroni?

Add the uncooked elbow macaroni after the soup has simmered for 15 minutes. Cook uncovered for another 8–10 minutes, until the pasta is tender.

What gives the soup its tomato flavor?

The broth is made with both a 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes with their juice and a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce, along with beef broth and water.

Final Thoughts

Beef and Macaroni Soup is a simple homemade meal that brings ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and tender elbow macaroni together in one pot. The vegetables are sautéed first, the beef is browned for a savory base, and everything simmers before the pasta goes in. Finished with fresh parsley, this hearty soup is an easy choice for a comforting family dinner.

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