One-Pot Mac n Beef
Equipment
- Normal Kitchen Utensils
Ingredients
- 1 lb Dried Elbow Macaroni
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Medium White or Yellow Onion
- 1 14.5 Oz. Can Diced Tomatoes
- 1 29 Oz. Can Tomato Sauce
- 3 C Beef Broth
- 1/4 C Olive Oil (Optional)
- 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced Or 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tbsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 Tbsp Dried Basil Or more Oregano
- 1 tsp Dried Thyme Or More Oregano
- 1-2 Bay Leaves (Optional)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese for Topping (Optional)
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium high heat.
- Add the ground beef to the pot and break it into small pieces. Add a heavy pinch of salt and pepper. Brown the beef for 5-6 minutes until the pink has cooked out of it.1 lb Ground Beef, Salt and Pepper to Taste
- While the beef cooks, finely dice the onion.1 Medium White or Yellow Onion
- (Optional Step): if you want to drain the beef fat off, do so once the beef is cooked through. But be sure to replace it with 1/4 C of olive oil.1/4 C Olive Oil
- Add the onion with the beef and cook another 3 minutes, until the onion begins to become translucent. Add another heavy pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir in the garlic and cook another 2 minutes.4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, including the juice, along with the oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf and another heavy pinch of salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 more minutes.1 14.5 Oz. Can Diced Tomatoes, 1/2 Tbsp Dried Oregano, 1/2 Tbsp Dried Basil, 1 tsp Dried Thyme, 1-2 Bay Leaves
- Stir in the tomato sauce and broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 29 Oz. Can Tomato Sauce, 3 C Beef Broth
- Stir in the macaroni and cover again. Cook another 10 minutes, or until the macaroni is cooked through, stirring occasionally.1 lb Dried Elbow Macaroni
- Once the macaroni is cooked, remove the lid and stir, testing the thickness of the sauce. If the dish is a little soupy, keep the lid off and cook for another few minutes, stirring often. The open lid will allow water to steam off and the sauce to thicken.If the dish seems a little dry for your taste, add a little more broth (or water if you are out of broth).
- Once the sauce is at the desired thickness, cut the heat and taste one more time for seasoning. Depending on how much salt your broth has, you will likely need to add more salt. If the flavors seem muted, add some salt. Just be careful not to over-salt.Add pepper as you see fit.
- I recommend giving the pasta 5-10 minutes to cool down, covered in the pot, before serving – because it will be lava hot. Remove the bay leaves, top with (optional) parmesan cheese and enjoy!Grated Parmesan Cheese for Topping
Notes
A Budget-Friendly Take on an Expensive Frozen Dinner
One-Pot Mac n Beef is a delicious, hearty meal that’s incredibly affordable. This recipe came to life when I noticed my girlfriend buying those single-serving frozen macaroni and beef dinners for about $3 each. After doing the math, I knew I could recreate something similar that tastes even better—at a fraction of the cost. My version makes 8 generous servings for just $13 to $15 total, which works out to less than $2 per serving!
Simplicity and Flavor in One Pot
What I love about this recipe is how it all comes together in just one pot. You start by browning the ground beef and sautéing onions, garlic, and herbs like oregano and thyme. Then, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth get added, forming the base of the sauce. The elbow macaroni cooks directly in this flavorful mixture, absorbing all those savory flavors. Not only does this method save time, but it also means fewer dishes to clean up later—a win-win!
Customize Your One-Pot Mac n Beef
This dish is incredibly versatile. You can switch out the herbs for taco seasoning to create a Tex-Mex twist, or swap the ground beef for Italian sausage for a spicier kick. Want to add some veggies? Toss in bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives. You can even top it with shredded cheese for extra richness. There are endless ways to make this meal your own, depending on what you have in your pantry or what you’re craving that day.
If you’re looking for another comforting beefy pasta dish with some cheesy goodness, check out my Johnny Marzetti recipe. Or if you’re a fan of even more cheese in your mac, try my beer cheese mac n cheese recipe for a creamier, more indulgent option.
This One-Pot Mac n Beef recipe is not only a budget-saver, but it’s also a family favorite that you can make your own. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner for when you want something quick, filling, and flavorful. Enjoy!
Some content edited/generated with the help of ChatGPT | OpenAI: https://www.openai.com/