One Pot Beef And Macaroni Soup

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

3 large carrots peeled and finely chopped

1 medium onion finely chopped

1 rib celery finely chopped

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 pinch red pepper flakes

1 lb lean ground beef

5 cups low sodium beef broth

798 ml canned diced tomatoes (28 oz) 1 large can

1 1/2 cups whole wheat macaroni pasta, uncooked

1 cup tomato sauce

Instructions

Heat a large pot over medium high heat and add canola oil. When oil is hot, add carrots, onion, and celery, cook and stir until vegetables have softened slightly, about 3-4 minutes.

Add Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, paprika, pepper and pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.

Add ground beef, stirring to crumble, and cook until lightly browned, about 2-3 minutes.

Add broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 5-10 minutes until carrots have softened.

Stir in pasta and tomato sauce. Cover and cook, stirring often (be careful because the macaroni can stick to the bottom!) until pasta is al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Serve.

Tips:

Don’t drain the canned tomato. The liquid is used as part of the base for the soup.

Play around with consistency. I’ll admit, my version of tomato macaroni soup is more like stoup, but if you prefer a thinner soup, simply add more beef broth to thin it out.

If you prefer another pasta shape, feel free to use a different one—although it will no longer be tomato macaroni soup. Any short pasta shape will work!

Notes:

Customization: Feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste preferences by adding extra vegetables or swapping out the pasta shape.

Consistency: Adjust the amount of broth to achieve your preferred soup thickness.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer-term storage.

Reheating: When reheating leftovers, you may need to add extra broth to thin out the soup if it has thickened.

Vegetarian Option: Make the soup vegetarian-friendly by omitting the ground beef and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Spice Level: Control the spiciness of the soup by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes or omitting them altogether.

Covering the Pot: While covering the pot helps retain moisture and cook ingredients evenly, leaving it uncovered can result in a thicker soup consistency.

Additional Vegetables: Enhance the soup’s nutritional content and flavor by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach.

Nutrition Information

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of macaroni?

Yes, you can use a different type of pasta if you prefer.

Any short pasta shape would work well in this soup, such as penne, rotini, or fusilli.

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Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the pasta shape you choose.

Do I need to drain the canned tomatoes before adding them to the soup?

No, you don’t need to drain the canned tomatoes.

The liquid from the canned tomatoes is used as part of the base for the soup, so it should be included along with the tomatoes.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for a few days.

Simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

You may need to add a little extra beef broth when reheating if the soup has thickened.

How can I adjust the consistency of the soup?

If you prefer a thinner soup, you can add more beef broth to thin it out to your liking.

Alternatively, if you prefer a thicker soup, you can reduce the amount of broth used in the recipe.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, you can freeze this soup for later.

Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or freezer bags.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to eat, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.

Can I use a different type of oil instead of canola oil?

Yes, you can substitute canola oil with other cooking oils like olive oil, vegetable oil, or even melted butter, depending on your preference.

Is it okay to use regular beef broth instead of low-sodium beef broth?

Yes, you can use regular beef broth if you prefer.

Just be mindful of the sodium content, especially if you’re watching your salt intake.

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef in this recipe, maintaining the delicious flavor while reducing the fat content.

How long can I store leftovers of this soup?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to cool the soup completely before refrigerating it.

Can I make this soup vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, you can omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth to make a vegetarian version of this soup.

You can also add more vegetables or substitute the beef with plant-based protein alternatives.

What can I serve with this soup to make it a complete meal?

This soup pairs well with a side of crusty bread, garlic breadsticks, or a simple green salad to make it a hearty and satisfying meal.

Can I freeze this soup for later?

Yes, you can freeze this soup for later consumption.

Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags.

It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How can I adjust the spiciness of the soup?

If you prefer a spicier soup, you can increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to your taste.

Conversely, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can omit the red pepper flakes altogether.

Is it necessary to cover the pot while cooking the soup?

Covering the pot helps to retain moisture and cook the ingredients evenly.

However, if you prefer a thicker soup consistency, you can leave the pot uncovered during the cooking process to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.

Can I add additional vegetables to this soup?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to enhance the nutritional content and flavor of the soup.

Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the vegetables you choose to add.