Ingredients
1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
1. **Brown the Beef:** Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the beef is browned and the onions are soft (about 5–7 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary.
2. **Add Aromatics:** Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. **Build the Broth:** Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
4. **Simmer:** Bring the soup to a rolling boil. Stir in the uncooked macaroni.
5. **Cook Pasta:** Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a steady simmer. Cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom, until the macaroni is tender.
6. **Finish:** Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper as needed. (If you want a thicker soup, let it sit for 5 minutes off the heat before serving).
7. **Serve:** Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Notes
Pasta Texture: The macaroni will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. If you plan to have leftovers, you might want to cook the pasta separately and add it to individual bowls, otherwise, the soup will turn into a thick stew the next day.
Veggies: This soup is very versatile. Feel free to add diced carrots, celery, frozen corn, or green beans along with the broth for extra nutrition.
Cheese: For a creamy, cheesy finish, stir in 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese right before serving.
Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You will likely need to add a splash of water or broth when reheating as the pasta will have soaked up the soup.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Soup
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: American