Description
Easy 30 minute recipe for classic American comfort food, featuring tender elbow macaroni and savory ground beef in a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 teaspoons salt (for pasta water)
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Step: Fill a large pot three-quarters full with water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Step: Add two teaspoons of salt and the pasta to the boiling water. Stir for 30 seconds, then cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally.
- Step: In a large nonstick frying pan, heat the olive oil over high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Step: Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook until fragrant.
- Step: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Drain any excess fat if preferred.
- Step: Stir the tomato sauce into the beef, reduce heat to low, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step: Drain the cooked pasta in a colander and return it to the cooking pot.
- Step: Add the meat sauce to the pasta and stir to combine. If using, fold in the cheddar cheese one handful at a time until melted.
Notes
If you prefer extra saucy pasta, heat an additional 8-ounce can of tomato sauce separately and serve it on the side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: American goulash, pasta and beef, comfort food, quick dinner, 30 minute meal, ground beef recipe, macaroni, easy weeknight dinner