Elbows and Ground Beef
This Elbows and Ground Beef recipe is a quick, comforting dinner made with elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and tomato sauce. It’s budget-friendly, family-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need a hearty meal fast.
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¾ tsp salt adjust to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese optional
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Brown beef: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Season: Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer 5–7 minutes.
- Combine: Add cooked macaroni to the skillet and stir until evenly coated.
- Finish: Turn off heat. Sprinkle cheese on top if using, cover 2–3 minutes to melt, then stir gently.
Notes
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture.
- Drain excess grease from the beef for better flavor balance.
- Add a splash of pasta water or sauce if reheating leftovers.