Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe {Portugal}

Recipe from Portugal! Making a family classic, Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe that’s easy to make any night of the week for dinner. It’s not gluten-free or low-carb but full of flavor and so quick and easy to make for a Sunday dinner.

When mom is in town, we cook what mom would make on a Sunday and some of my fathers favorite. This one has a special memory.

It was my dad’s favorite and one that he loved no matter how sick he was from cancer, he always finished his plate.

Today we are in the kitchen talking and laughing on how much my father loved this Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe that when he ate it, he did not even use a fork but a spoon.

I always laughed when I think of how much my father loved this Macaroni Recipe.

Step by Step – Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe

You don’t need tools to make this dish but 2 pots to cook and a wooden spoon. I prefer wooden spoon when cooking on a pan just because it doesn’t scratch up pots and is not so noisy when cooking in the kitchen,

1. Chop the onions into small size bites. Place a little olive oil in the pan and sauté the onions.
2. Once they are golden brown remove from the pan into a bowl and set a side.

3. Add the ground beef in the pan and break it up with the spoon as it cooks.
4. Once it is all done cooking which should take about 10 minutes, drain the fat from the pan.

5. Add the bay leaves, tomato sauce and onions to the pan and mix, cook on low for about 20 minutes while mixing every 5 minutes.
6. Add your macaroni to a pot of water at this time and cook to the directions of the box.
7. Once macaroni is cooked, drain and place in the meat sauce, mix and set on a low heat for 5 minutes.
8. Place on a plate and sprinkle your favorite cheese on top. 

Variations

I sometimes will add peas or cooked broccoli to the mix. I will pre-cook the vegetables and drain before I add it to the mix.

Ways to Serve

When serving this dish, I will make a salad as a side or just serve cooked broccoli. I tend to always add grated cheese to sprinkle on top.

Tip

Try not to over cook the macaroni for this dish because it will continue to cook with the meat sauce. I take it out when it is cooked to be firm to the bite, which is al dente as the Italians would say!

MORE RECIPES from Portugal

• Mom’s Paella
• Christmas Popovers
• Portuguese Cod Fish Salad

 TRAVEL GUIDE to Portugal

• Lisbon Portugal
• Cascais Portugal
• Sintra Portugal
• Where Locals Eat in Lisbon Portugal

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Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe

Recipe from Portugal! Making a family classic, Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe that's easy to make any night of the week for dinner. It's not gluten-free or low-carb but full of flavor and quick and easy to make for the whole family.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Portuguese

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 639 kcal

Author Lizzy Casca-Thomas

Ingredients

• 1 pound beef ground
• 1 macaroni, box
• 1 Marinara sauce, jar
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• ¼ cup of olive oil

Instructions

1. You don't need tools to make this dish but 2 pots to cook and a wooden spoon. I prefer a wooden spoon when cooking on a pan just because it doesn't scratch up pots and is not so noisy when cooking in the kitchen.
2. Chop the onions into small size bites. Place a little olive oil in the pan and saute the onions.
3. Once they are golden brown remove from the pan into a bow.
4. Add the ground beef in the pan and break it up with the spoon as it cooks. Once it is all done cooking which should take about 10 minutes, drain the fat from the pan.
5. Add the bay leaves, tomato sauce and onions to the pan and mix, cook on low for about 20 minutes while mixing every 5 minutes.
6. Add your macaroni to a pot of water at this time and cook to the directions of the box.
7. Once macaroni is cooked, drain and place in the meat sauce, mix and set on a low heat for 5 minutes.
8. Place on a plate and sprinkle your favorite cheese on top. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Try not to over cook the macaroni for this dish because it will continue to cook with the meat sauce. I take it out when it is cooked to be firm to the bite, which is al dente as the Italians would say!

Nutrition Facts

Portuguese Beef Macaroni Recipe

Amount Per Serving (150 g)

Calories 639 Calories from Fat 279

% Daily Value*

Fat 31g48%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 40mg13%

Sodium 1705mg74%

Potassium 886mg25%

Carbohydrates 64g21%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 628IU13%

Vitamin C 11mg13%

Calcium 204mg20%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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