Description

This hearty Beef & Tomato Macaroni Soup is a comforting one-pot meal combining browned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato-based broth seasoned with Italian herbs and smoked paprika. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and customizable with optional garnishes like fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings and Spices

1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon sugar (optional)

Tomato Base and Broth

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
6 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)

Pasta

1 cup elbow macaroni (or small pasta)

Optional Garnishes

Fresh parsley, chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook it, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease to keep the soup from becoming too oily.
Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant to build the flavor base.
Add Tomatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, beef broth, salt, pepper, smoked paprika if using, and Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil to meld the flavors.
Simmer with Pasta: Lower the heat to low and add the elbow macaroni. Let the soup simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, until the macaroni is tender.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar to balance the tomato acidity according to your preference.
Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve it alongside crusty bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

For a smoky flavor, don’t skip the smoked paprika but it is optional for a more traditional tomato soup taste.
You can substitute chicken broth for beef broth if preferred or to lighten the flavor.
Add a pinch of sugar only if the soup tastes too acidic from the tomatoes.
Using freshly grated Parmesan enhances the flavor more than pre-grated cheese.
Leftover soup keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Feel free to add vegetables like diced carrots or celery during the onion sauté step for extra nutrition and texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American