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A sizzling skillet filled with ground beef, macaroni, and savory spices, steam rising from the bubbling mixture

Beef and Macaroni Skillet

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables diced
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups dry elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet and drain well.
  2. Add the onion and vegetables and cook until softened.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, broth and garlic powder and bring to a simmer.
  4. Add the dry macaroni, cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
  5. Top with the shredded cheddar, cover and let it melt before serving.

Notes

Cooking the pasta in the sauce lets it absorb flavor and thickens the liquid as starch releases. The 15 to 20 minute simmer is the critical window - undercooked is chalky, overcooked is mushy. Two cups of dry elbows swells a lot, so do not add extra or the sauce ratio breaks. Swap garlic powder for Italian seasoning, or cheddar for Monterey Jack for a milder melt.