Go Back
–+ servings

Cheesy Beef and Macaroni

Please rate us
This hearty one-pot dish combines ground beef, elbow macaroni, and rich tomato sauce, delivering comfort food that's ready in under 40 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Print it Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 470
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat and Aromatics
  • 1 lb ground beef Choose a slightly fattier blend (80/20) for more flavor.
  • 1 medium onion, diced Adds sweetness and depth.
  • 1/2 tsp salt Adjust to taste.
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper Freshly ground preferred.
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp paprika Sweet or smoked, depending on preference.
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce Adds umami lift.
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
Sauce and Pasta
  • 2 cans tomato sauce Base of the sauce. (8 oz each)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes For texture and brightness. (15 oz)
  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth Adds depth; use low-sodium if watching salt.
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (dry) About 8 ounces.
Topping
  • Shredded cheddar cheese To top before serving.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Break the meat apart with a spatula.
  2. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika as the beef browns. Cook until no pink remains and the onions are softened (about 6–8 minutes).
  3. Stir in minced garlic and Worcestershire sauce. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Pour in both cans of tomato sauce, the diced tomatoes (with juices), and the beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  2. Add the dry elbow macaroni, stir, and reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Check pasta for doneness — it should be al dente to slightly tender.
  3. If the sauce reduces too much before the pasta is done, add additional broth or water 1/4 cup at a time.
  4. When macaroni is cooked, remove skillet from heat and sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Cover the pan for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese.
Serving
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 470kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

For a creamier finish, stir in 1/4–1/2 cup of milk or a splash of cream right before adding the cheese. Sticking prevention is simple: use a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet and stir every few minutes while the pasta cooks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!