Description
Beefaroni is a warm, comforting, and quick-to-prepare classic dish that combines tender ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a savory tomato sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, this one-pot meal delivers hearty, rich flavors with minimal fuss and offers plenty of room for customization to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups macaroni pasta (elbow or small pasta shapes)
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend)
- Diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach (for vegetable boost)
- Red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños (for spicy kick)
- Ricotta, cream cheese, or parmesan (for cheese upgrade)
- Lean ground turkey or chicken (as a substitute for ground beef)
- Gluten-free macaroni pasta (for gluten-free option)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the macaroni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking later.
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, then sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Gently fold the cooked macaroni pasta into the beef and tomato sauce mixture, stirring just enough to coat the noodles evenly without breaking them.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle shredded cheese on top and cover the skillet for a few minutes until melted. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Properly drain pasta: ensure the pasta is well-drained but not rinsed so it can absorb the sauce better.
- Use fresh aromatics: fresh garlic and onion provide brighter and fresher flavor compared to powders.
- Simmer for flavor depth: allowing the sauce to simmer gently helps the seasoning fully develop.
- Cheese choice matters: mozzarella for meltiness, cheddar for a sharper bite, or a combination of both.
- Don’t overcook pasta: slightly firm noodles hold up best when mixed with sauce and reheated.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg