Description
Homemade Beefaroni is a quick, comforting, and hearty dish combining lean ground beef, perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce with Italian seasoning. Ready in under 30 minutes, this made-from-scratch recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to suit various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups canned tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while you prepare the sauce.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed to keep it lean.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions turn translucent and the garlic is fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 8-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked pasta into the beef and tomato sauce. Stir gently until every noodle is coated with the rich sauce and everything is heated through.
- Optional Cheese Finish: For an extra layer of comfort, sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for a couple of minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use lean beef to keep the dish less greasy but flavorful.
- Don’t overcook pasta; al dente texture prevents mushiness when mixed with sauce.
- Simmering the sauce enhances depth and richness of flavor.
- Drain excess fat from browned beef to reduce heaviness without losing taste.
- Use fresh garlic for a more vibrant aroma compared to garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg