Beef broth provides the savory liquid base. If possible, choose a low-sodium variety so you can control the amount of salt yourself.
Water
A little water helps create the right soup consistency without making the broth too concentrated.
Dried Oregano and Basil
These herbs give the soup a gentle Italian-inspired flavor that complements the beef and tomatoes.
Paprika
Paprika is optional, but it adds subtle warmth and extra depth.
Salt and Black Pepper
Season gradually and taste the soup before serving. The amount of salt needed can vary depending on the broth and canned tomatoes you use.
Bay Leaf
A bay leaf is optional but adds another layer of flavor while the soup simmers. Remember to remove it before serving.
Optional Garnishes
Finish each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese or freshly chopped parsley. Parmesan adds savory richness, while parsley gives the soup a fresh finishing touch.
How to Make Beef and Macaroni Soup
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks.
Continue until the beef is browned and no longer pink. If there is a large amount of excess grease in the pot, carefully drain some of it before continuing.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the browned beef.
Cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The vegetables should begin to soften and the garlic should become fragrant.
You don't need to fully cook the vegetables at this stage because they will continue cooking as the soup simmers.
Step 3: Stir in the Tomato Paste
Add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it into the beef and vegetables.
Cook for about 1 minute. Briefly cooking the tomato paste helps deepen its flavor and gives the finished soup a richer taste.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, and water.
Add the dried oregano, dried basil, paprika if using, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf.
Stir everything together, making sure the tomato paste is fully incorporated into the liquid.
Step 5: Simmer the Soup
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Once it begins bubbling, reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
This gives the vegetables time to soften and allows the flavors from the beef, tomatoes, and herbs to come together.
Step 6: Add the Macaroni
Stir the uncooked elbow macaroni directly into the simmering soup.
Cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or according to the cooking time recommended on the pasta package.
Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together or settling on the bottom of the pot.
The macaroni should be tender but not mushy.
Step 7: Adjust the Seasoning
Remove the bay leaf.
Taste the soup carefully and add additional salt or black pepper if necessary.
If the soup becomes thicker than you prefer as the macaroni cooks, add a little extra beef broth or water until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 8: Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls and finish with grated Parmesan cheese or chopped fresh parsley.
Serve immediately with crusty bread, garlic bread, or a simple green salad.
Recipe Tips for the Best Beef and Macaroni Soup
Don't overcook the pasta
Macaroni continues absorbing liquid after it is cooked. For the best texture, cook it only until tender.
If you're planning to save a large portion of the soup for later, consider cooking the pasta separately and adding it to individual portions when serving.
Taste before adding extra salt
Beef broth, canned tomatoes, and tomato paste can all contain different amounts of sodium. Taste the finished soup before adding more salt.
Let the tomato paste cook briefly
Don't simply add the tomato paste and immediately pour in the broth. Cooking it for about a minute helps develop a richer, more concentrated tomato flavor.
Cut the vegetables evenly
Try to dice the carrots, onion, and celery into similarly sized pieces. This helps them cook at roughly the same rate.
Make it thicker or more brothy
For a thicker, stew-like soup, use slightly less liquid or allow the soup to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
For a brothier soup, add additional beef broth toward the end of cooking.
Easy Variations
Cheesy Beef and Macaroni Soup
For an extra comforting version, stir shredded cheddar cheese into the finished soup. You can also sprinkle Parmesan over each bowl before serving.
Vegetable-Packed Beef Soup
Increase the vegetable content by adding diced zucchini, bell peppers, green beans, spinach, or peas.
This is an easy way to use vegetables you already have in the refrigerator.
Spicy Beef and Macaroni Soup
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños for some heat.
You can adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your soup.
Italian-Style Beef and Macaroni Soup
Add extra basil and oregano along with Parmesan cheese. A small Parmesan rind can also be simmered in the broth and removed before serving for extra savory flavor.
Low-Carb Version
If you're reducing carbohydrates, replace the macaroni with cauliflower florets or another low-carb vegetable.
Keep in mind that this changes the texture and overall character of the original recipe.
Turkey and Macaroni Soup
Replace the ground beef with ground turkey. The soup will have a lighter flavor while still maintaining its hearty texture.
Can You Make Beef and Macaroni Soup in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker.
For the best results, brown the ground beef separately before adding it to the slow cooker. Sautéing the onions and other vegetables beforehand also adds more flavor.
Add the browned beef, vegetables, tomatoes, broth, water, tomato paste, and seasonings to the slow cooker.
Cook on low for approximately 4 to 6 hours, depending on your slow cooker.
Add the macaroni toward the end of cooking rather than at the beginning. Pasta can become overly soft if it cooks for several hours.
What to Serve with Beef and Macaroni Soup
Although this soup can easily be served as a complete meal, a simple side dish can make dinner even more satisfying.
Crusty Bread
A loaf of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the tomato-rich broth and soaking up every last bit.
Garlic Bread
Buttery garlic bread provides a crisp, flavorful contrast to the warm and tender soup.
Green Salad
A simple salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and a light dressing adds freshness to the meal.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted broccoli, zucchini, carrots, or bell peppers make an excellent vegetable side dish.
Cucumber Salad
A refreshing cucumber salad can balance the richness of the beef and pasta while keeping the overall meal simple.
How to Store Beef and Macaroni Soup
Refrigerator
Allow the soup to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Because the macaroni continues absorbing liquid as it sits, the soup may become noticeably thicker the next day.
Freezer
For the best texture, freeze the soup without the macaroni.
Prepare the beef and tomato soup base, allow it to cool, and store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to serve it, thaw and reheat the soup, then add freshly cooked macaroni.
Reheating
Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat.
If it has thickened considerably in the refrigerator, add a splash of beef broth or water while reheating.
Stir occasionally and heat until completely warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Beef and Macaroni Soup ahead of time?
Absolutely. This soup can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for later. The flavors often become even more developed after resting overnight.
For the best pasta texture, consider cooking and storing the macaroni separately if you know you'll be reheating the soup.
What type of pasta can I use?
Elbow macaroni is the classic choice, but you can use small shells, ditalini, rotini, or another small pasta shape.
Choose pasta that can easily fit onto a spoon with the other ingredients.
How do I prevent the macaroni from becoming mushy?
Avoid overcooking the pasta. Cook it only until tender.
If you're making the soup several hours ahead or planning to store leftovers, cooking the pasta separately is the easiest way to maintain its texture.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey is an easy substitute and works well with the tomatoes, herbs, and vegetables.
Can I add more vegetables?
Definitely. Zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, peas, green beans, and additional carrots can all work well.
Can I make this soup gluten-free?
Yes. Simply use your favorite gluten-free macaroni or another gluten-free small pasta.
Also check the labels on your beef broth and other packaged ingredients to make sure they are certified or labeled gluten-free if necessary.
How can I make the soup more flavorful?
For additional depth, try adding a small splash of Worcestershire sauce, extra herbs, Parmesan cheese, or a little more tomato paste.
Always taste as you go so you can adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Beef and Macaroni Soup Recipe
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
45 minutes
Servings
6
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (100 g) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
Tomatoes and Liquids
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
- 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon paprika, optional
- 1 bay leaf, optional
Optional Garnishes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.
- Build the soup: Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir thoroughly.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add macaroni: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pasta reaches a tender texture.
- Finish: Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Spoon the hot soup into bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired.
Final Thoughts
Beef and Macaroni Soup is the kind of recipe that proves you don't need complicated ingredients to make a satisfying homemade dinner. Ground beef, pasta, vegetables, tomatoes, broth, and a handful of seasonings come together to create a warm and hearty meal the whole family can enjoy.
It's affordable enough for regular weeknight cooking, simple enough for beginners, and versatile enough to adapt to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Make a big pot, serve it with warm crusty bread, and enjoy a comforting homemade dinner that is just as good the next day.
