Easy Macaroni Soup

Made with mostly pantry and freezer staples, this cozy Macaroni Soup is easy and flavorful—and so nourishing. I love to make this with elbows, but other small pasta shapes such as wagon wheels would work well, too.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 329kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves (peeled and minced; or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
2 cups mirepoix (fresh or frozen, see Notes for info)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef
2 quarts reduced-sodium chicken broth
14.5 ounce can marinara sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
8 ounces elbow pasta
2 cups frozen green beans (or corn or peas)
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Set a large pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil. When warm, add the garlic, mirepoix, salt, and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the beef, break up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 8 minutes.
Add the broth and marinara sauce and raise the heat to high. Once it starts to simmer, reduce heat to medium.
Add the pasta. Cook for 6 minutes or until the pasta is just cooked through. (If the broth starts to boil, reduce the heat. You want slow bubbles to avoid overcooking the meat.)
Stir in the frozen green beans and simmer for an additional 4 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. If the pasta has absorbed most of the broth, you can add a little more before heating.
Trade in ground chicken, turkey, mild Italian sausage, or beef stew meat for the ground beef if you prefer.
Mirepoix is simply a mix of carrots, onion, and celery. It is commonly sold pre-cut in the produce or freezer aisle. To make your own, dice about 2/3 cup of each and add to the pot in Step 1.
To make this vegetarian, omit the beef and add 2 cans rinsed and drained white beans.
Use a gluten-free pasta if needed.
Use beef, chicken, or vegetable broth.
If using another shape of pasta, you may need to adjust the cooking time.
Using marinara sauce adds a little more flavor than crushed tomatoes, but both work.

Nutrition