Description
A hearty and comforting one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color)
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, stirring to distribute it evenly in the liquid.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- If using cheese, sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top, cover the pot again, and let it sit for a few minutes off the heat until the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Serve hot, straight from the pot, with extra cheese or chopped fresh herbs if you like.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or texture plant-based meat.
- You can adjust the spices to your preference, adding more heat with chili flakes if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg