Step 1

Bring a 5.5qt Dutch Oven to medium-high heat. Add butter or olive oil, swirl to coat the pan.

Step 2

Add garlic and onion. Move around pan until the garlic is fragrant and the onion has softened slightly, approx. 2-3 minutes.

Step 3

Add ground beef and move around pan until it is cooked through. Drain excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon or so. Add salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Add whole tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, kidney beans, worcestershire, Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Use knife to cut the whole tomatoes into quarters. Stir to combine. Cover and let simmer 10-30 minutes. Taste and add additional salt, as-needed.

Step 5

Meanwhile, cook elbow macaroni al dente according to package instructions (see Notes).

Step 6

Add some noodles to a bowl and top with the ground beef mixture, stir and then add your favorite toppings.