Ingredients:
- 5 lbs Ground Beef (85/15 recommended)
- 1 large Yellow Onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 6 Cups low sodium Beef Broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
- 5 Cups Elbow Macaroni
- 1 Cup Frozen Peas
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Heat the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up well. Cook until deeply browned, about 7–8 minutes. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the beef and cook until softened and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture. Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute to create a light roux.
- Pour in the Worcestershire sauce. Slowly whisk in the beef broth to ensure no lumps form. Add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Once simmering, stir in the elbow macaroni. Continue to simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the macaroni is al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Stir in the frozen peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Turn off the heat. Allow the soup to rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust final seasoning (salt/pepper). Ladle into bowls and garnish generously with fresh parsley before serving.