What's Cooking? - Macaroni with Ground Beef and Tomato

I found this recipe in an ancient cookbook that belonged to my grandmother. Some of the recipes have to be changed because some ingredients aren't available or have changed. This recipe is so darn simple, that if you  never had it you'll wonder why you haven't. It is simple fresh and delicious. Kids love it too.

This is made with Ground Beef. You can make it with ground turkey, but it really has a better flavor with the beef. I also use elbow macaroni for this, although you can use any other pasta.

MACARONI WITH GROUND BEEF AND TOMATO

1 lb Ground Beef (or turkey or veggie substitute)
1 - 28 oz can whole tomatoes
1 - 12 oz box of elbow macaroni
salt and pepper to taste

Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and add macaroni. Salt will make water boil faster. Boil until just done. Be careful not to overcook, because they will cook a bit more when added to dish. Drain.

In a very large pan (or pot if you don't have) Brown the ground meat until crumbly. Drain some of the fat if you used beef that was high fat. Leave a bit in the pan for flavor. Drain tomatoes and cut into about 1 inch pieces. Add to pan of ground beef. Add cooked macaroni and season to taste with salt and pepper. I like a lot of pepper with this dish. Heat thoroughly and serve immediately. You are just heating, do not overcook.

You could add onions or garlic or other seasonings, but that would be another dish. The reason this tastes to wonderful is the fresh pure ingredients whose flavors haven't been mingled by hours of cooking, or overpowered with seasonings. It really is one of my favorites, and one of the rare uses of beef in our house.