Description

Beef and Macaroni Soup is a comforting and hearty one-pot meal featuring tender beef chunks, perfectly cooked macaroni, and a rich, savory broth infused with aromatic vegetables and seasonings. Ideal for chilly days and family dinners, it offers layers of satisfying flavors using simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

1 lb beef chuck, trimmed and cut into bite-sized cubes

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped

Liquids

6 cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

Pasta

1 cup macaroni pasta (elbow macaroni preferred)

Seasonings and Oils

2 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Beef: Trim the beef chuck of any excess fat and cut into bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and tender results.
Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, stirring frequently until softened and aromatic.
Brown the Beef: Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides to lock in juices and enhance flavor.
Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes. Add bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
Simmer and Tenderize: Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the beef is fork-tender and flavors meld.
Cook the Macaroni: Add macaroni pasta directly into the simmering soup during the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent mushiness and allow it to absorb flavors.
Final Touches: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, stir gently, and serve hot.

Notes

Choose beef chuck for its perfect fat and connective tissue content, providing tender, flavorful meat.
Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure proper caramelization.
Simmer the soup low and slow to develop deep flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Add pasta at the end to prevent overcooking and mushiness.
Season gradually, tasting throughout cooking to balance salt and pepper levels.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Soups
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: beef soup, macaroni soup, hearty soup, one-pot meal, comfort food, beef and pasta soup