Homemade Beefaroni
This easy Homemade Beefaroni is a warm, satisfying comfort food combining tender ground beef, perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, and tangy tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a hearty and budget-friendly dish loved by the whole family, versatile to customize and perfect for cozy dinners.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be adapted to gluten free (use gluten free pasta)
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound ground beef (lean or regular)
Pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan)
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, usually around 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- 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, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce and sprinkle the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Mix in Pasta: Fold in the cooked macaroni until evenly coated with the beef and tomato mixture. If desired, sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and let it melt before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and onions for noticeable flavor improvement.
- Aim to cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness in the final dish.
- Drain excess fat well for a cleaner, less oily taste.
- Simmer the sauce slowly to enhance depth and richness.
- Adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, herbs) to your taste as you cook.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: beefaroni, comfort food, ground beef, elbow macaroni, quick dinner, family meal, easy recipe