This Slumgullion is the ultimate comfort food born from hard times—but loved through generations. With just four humble ingredients, it delivers a hearty, tomato-rich stew of ground beef and tender elbow macaroni that’s deeply satisfying, incredibly affordable, and effortlessly made in the slow cooker.
Inspired by your grandpa’s kitchen wisdom, this one-pot wonder proves that simple doesn’t mean bland—it means soulful, nourishing, and full of warmth.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥩 Only 4 ingredients—pantry staples!
- ⏱️ 10 minutes prep, then walk away
- đź’› One slow cooker = easy cleanup
- đź’¸ Costs under $7—feeds 6 generously
- 👨👩👧👦 Kid-approved and freezer-friendly
Ingredients You’ll Need
(6-quart slow cooker)
- 1½ lbs (680g) ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1½ cups (6 oz) uncooked elbow macaroni
đź’ˇ Pro Tips:
- Brown the beef and onion first for deeper flavor (optional but recommended).
- Add pasta in the last 30–45 minutes to prevent mushiness.
- Use low-sodium tomato sauce if watching salt—season to taste at the end.
Step-by-Step Instructions (Hearty, Savory, Foolproof)

