- 1 lb boneless chuck, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 (14 1/2-oz) can beef broth
- 1(28- to 32-oz) can whole tomatoes in purée
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups fresh bread crumbs
- 1 lb sharp Cheddar, grated (4 cups)
- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- Simmer chuck in broth in a 2-quart saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is very tender, about 1 hour.
- While meat simmers, break up tomatoes by squeezing them into a bowl with purée. Cook onion in half of butter in a 4-quart saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Add tomatoes with purée, Worcestershire sauce, and sugar, then simmer, stirring occasionally,15 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- To make topping, toss together bread crumbs, 1 cup Cheddar, remaining melted butter, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain in a colander. Cool macaroni 3 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl. Toss with tomato sauce, beef with broth, remaining 3 cups cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer macaroni mixture to a buttered 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass baking dish and spoon topping evenly over. Bake in middle of oven, uncovered, 25 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and mixture is bubbling.