Healthy Life Trainer

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Old Fashioned Beef And Macaroni Soup

    Updated: Feb 22, 2023 · Published: Nov 21, 2020 by Radwa ·

    Jump to Recipe

    This old-fashioned beef and macaroni soup is a childhood classic. It is loaded with pasta, ground beef, veggies, tomato sauce, and beans. YUMMY! I just learned that this dish is also called “Cowboy Soup” and I have no idea why it is called that name. 🙂

    Beef and macaroni soup with veggies and beans in a large pot.

    Beef And Macaroni Soup

    This lovely comforting soup is a perfect dish for a chilly night. I top it with some parmesan cheese or fresh parsley and serve it with crusty Italian bread; so delicious!

    I love everything about this mac and beef soup recipe; it is healthy, flavourful and super easy to make.

    This recipe is a good way to use any leftover ground beef you have. I even sometimes make it with ground chicken if that's what I have on hand.

    Oh, I almost forgot one of the most important things I love about this dish: it is made in one pot, which means easy cleaning after cooking.

    Beef And Macaroni Soup Ingredients

    All the ingredients needed to make the Cowboy Soup recipe.
    • Minced beef: I used extra lean ground beef.
    • Celery: Chopped into small chunks.
    • Carrots: To give your dish a crunchy texture.
    • Onion: It will give your soup a rich umami flavor.
    • Olive oil: To saute the veggies, use any kind you have.
    • Garlic: I absolutely love to add garlic because it gives my soup a delicious flavor.
    • Crushed tomato: Canned or fresh. I used canned.
    • Tomato sauce: Any kind you prefer.
    • Kidney beans: I recommend draining them well.
    • Chicken broth/stock: You can use water instead if you like.
    • Pasta: Uncooked, use ditalini or elbow.
    • Italian seasoning: To give the dish an earthy, piney flavor.
    • Salt and ground black pepper: To taste.
    • Parsley (optional): To garnish.

    “See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.”

    How To Make Old Fashioned Beef And Macaroni Soup?

    Photo steps of making the recipe.

    One (Cooke The Beef): Heat the oil on medium then add the meat. Break it into small pieces and cook for about 4-5 minutes until it becomes brown. Transfer the meat to a bowl then set aside.

    Two (Saute' The Veggies): In the same pot, add carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies become soft.

    Three (Add The Tomato Sauce): Return the minced beef back to the pot with the veggies. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce, stir everything.

    Four (Simmer): Next add in the kidney beans, chicken broth, salt, ground black pepper and Italian seasoning. Let everything simmer for about 10 minutes.

    Five (Add The Pasta): Finally, stir in the pasta. Keep cooking until the pasta is fully cooked (about 10-13 minutes). Garnish with chopped parsley then serve.

    Scooping the beef and macaroni soup with a ladle.

    Tips and Variations

    • You can use any small pasta such as elbow, mini penne, ditalini, or small shells.
    • You may add green beans, peas, spinach or any other veggies you prefer to this dish.
    • Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.
    • Substitute Italian seasoning with dried basil or thyme.
    • Add some parmesan or mozzarella cheese to your soup to make it super creamy.

    Storage

    • If you make this soup ahead of time, I recommend not adding in the pasta until you’re about ready to eat otherwise the pasta will become mushy. 
    • To store this soup, just put it in the fridge for 2-3 days, well covered.
    • This soup freezes and reheats well, without adding the pasta, of course. So, if I make a big patch to freeze, I don't add the pasta.
    A big bowl of beef and macaroni soup with veggies and beans.

    More Macaroni Recipes

    • Macaroni Pudding Recipe
    • Old Fashioned Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipe
    • Macaroni Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)
    • Simple Macaroni Salad With Mayo

    Soup Recipes You May Like

    • Lemon chicken orzo soup.
      Easy Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup Recipe
    • Chicken Stew With Veggies
      Old Fashioned Chicken Vegetable Stew
    • Cajun meatball stew in a pot.
      Cajun Meatball Stew
    • beef stew with potatoes, carrots and peas in a white bowl.
      Beef Stew Recipe With Potatoes And Carrots

    Thanks for dropping in! Follow Healthy Life Trainer on Pinterest to keep up-to-date with all new recipes. Also, you can subscribe to my Newsletter to recipe all the latest recipes once published.

    A big bowl of beef and macaroni soup with veggies and beans.
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Old Fashioned Beef And Macaroni Soup

    This old fashioned beef and macaroni soup or cowboy soup is a childhood classic. It is loaded with pasta, ground beef, veggies, tomato sauce, and beans.
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 296kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Kitchen knife
    • Chopping board

    Ingredients

    • 500 g minced beef
    • 1 stalk celery , chopped into small chunks
    • 2 carrots
    • 1 onion
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 400 g crushed tomato in tomato sauce
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • 400 g kidney beans canned, drained
    • 5 cups chicken broth/stock
    • 1 cup pasta uncooked (ditalini or elbow)
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon parsley (optional)

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil on medium then add the meat. Break it into small pieces and cook for about 4-5 minutes until it becomes brown. Transfer the meat to a bowl then set aside.
      2 tablespoon olive oil, 500 g minced beef
    • In the same pot, add carrots, celery, onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the veggies become soft.
      1 stalk celery, 2 carrots, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
    • Return the minced beef back to the pot with the veggies. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce, stir everything.
      ½ cup tomato sauce, 400 g crushed tomato in tomato sauce
    • Next add in the kidney beans, chicken broth, salt, ground black pepper and Italian seasoning. Let everything simmer for about 10 minutes.
      400 g kidney beans, 5 cups chicken broth/stock, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
    • Finally, stir in the pasta. Keep cooking until the pasta is fully cooked (about 10-13 minutes). Garnish with chopped parsley then serve.
      1 cup pasta , 1 tablespoon parsley (optional)

    Notes

    • You can use any small pasta such as elbow, mini penne, ditalini, or small shells.
    • You may add green beans, peas, spinach or any other veggies you prefer to this dish.
    • Use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef.
    • Substitute Italian seasoning with dried basil or thyme.

    Storage

    • If you make this soup ahead of time, I recommend not adding in the pasta until you’re about ready to eat otherwise the pasta will become mushy. 
    • To store this soup, just put it in the fridge for 2-3 days, well covered.
    • This soup freezes and reheats well, without adding the pasta, of course. So, if I make a big patch to freeze, I don't add the pasta.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 1432mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2986IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HealthyLifeTrainer or tag #healthylifetrainer!
    Add us as a trusted site on Google

    More Pasta Recipes

    • sesame peanut noodles.
      Sesame Peanut Noodles
    • Macaroni Bechamel.
      Macaroni Bechamel (Egyptian Baked Pasta)
    • A serving plate full of Mexican taco spaghetti.
      Easy Cheesy Mexican Spaghetti Recipe
    • Marmite Pasta
      Easy Marmite Pasta

    About Radwa

    Hi, I am Radwa! I've always been fond of food—seriously, it's my love language. I share my tried-and-true recipes and provide easy, step-by-step recipes that anyone can follow.

    Comments

    No Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Healthy Life Trainer

    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

    More about me→

    Trending Recipes

    • Nuts and Date Energy Balls
      Nut and Date Energy Balls
    • 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Mug Cake
      3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Mug Cake
    • Moussaka (Musaka) Recipe
      Moussaka (Musaka) Greek Recipe
    • Peanut Butter Flapjacks
      Peanut Butter Flapjacks
    • Baked Sweet Potatoes in a foil sheet.
      How to Bake Sweet Potatoes in Foil
    • Mediterranean Spice Mix
      Mediterranean Spice Mix

    New Posts!

    • Peach overnight oats.
      Peach Overnight Oats
    • Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
      Best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich (Easy Recipe)
    • Moist Lemon Blueberry Muffins topped with lemon glaze.
      Moist Lemon Blueberry Muffins
    • Tomato Onion Salad in a bowl.
      Italian Tomato Onion Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    Contact

    Copyright © 2026 Healthy Life Trainer

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.