Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup is the perfect comfort meal. It solves the problem of what to cook when you’re short on time. After making this many times, I know the secret to the best texture and flavor. The creamy broth and tender meat create a cozy, satisfying meal. Try my Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner for another quick option. Jump to Recipe If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Ground Beef Taco Cabbage Skillet Dinner and Savory Breakfast Bagels with Egg Prosciutto and Garlic Butter.
Why This Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup Is Pure Comfort
- cozy comfort
- easy weeknight
- family favorite
- perfect broth
What You'll Need for Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
- 1 cup small pasta, like macaroni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: shredded Parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: crusty bread
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: Use 85% lean ground beef for best flavor and texture.
- diced tomatoes: Drain the tomatoes before adding to the soup to prevent excess liquid.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Meat thermometer — Ensures the beef is cooked to the right temperature without overcooking. → See on Amazon
- Slow cooker — Saves time and helps the soup simmer gently for better flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces as it cooks.
- Add aromatics: Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, seasonings, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer and add pasta: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Add pasta and cook for 8–10 more minutes, until tender.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
- Cooking technique: Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking pasta makes it mushy. Add it near the end and check for doneness.
- Flavor boost: Add a splash of red wine for extra depth of flavor.
- Storage: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
Storing & Reheating Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Make up to 2 days ahead and reheat before serving.
Freezing Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in 30-second intervals until hot.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a Dutch oven for better heat retention and even cooking.
- Best substitution: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup improves with time, so make it a day in advance if possible.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch for meals throughout the week.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Thermometer — Ensures the beef is fully cooked without overcooking. → Check price on Amazon
Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
- 1 cup small pasta, like macaroni
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
Optional Toppings
- shredded Parmesan cheese
- fresh parsley, chopped
- crusty bread
Instructions
- Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces as it cooks.
- Add aromatics: Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and tomatoes: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, seasonings, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer and add pasta: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Add pasta and cook for 8–10 more minutes, until tender.
- Serve: Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a Dutch oven for better heat retention and even cooking.
- Best substitution: Replace beef broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup improves with time, so make it a day in advance if possible.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch for meals throughout the week.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thick, add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in 30-second intervals until hot.
- Make ahead: Make up to 2 days ahead and reheat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup FAQs
Yes, this soup can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve.
If the soup is too thin, you can let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, add a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it.
Yes, this soup freezes well. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
Enhance the flavor by adding a splash of red wine, a bit of grated Parmesan, or fresh herbs like parsley before serving.
Yes, you can bake this soup. Combine all ingredients in a casserole dish, cover, and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes. Stir halfway through.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Hearty Beef Macaroni Soup and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
