Saucy Homemade Beefaroni Recipe that Your Family Will Love

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this mouthwatering beefaroni that combines hearty pasta and rich beef in a delectable tomato sauce.

Childhood memories flood back with every bite of this classic dish.

The easy beefaroni recipe brings together simple ingredients that pack a serious flavor punch.

Pasta lovers will adore how quickly this meal comes together in just one skillet.

Tender beef mingles perfectly with soft elbow macaroni, creating a satisfying dinner that feels like a warm hug.

Each forkful promises a delightful blend of savory and tangy notes that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to transform an ordinary weeknight into a celebration of delicious, comforting cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 390 kcal

Servings: 7

Homemade Beefaroni Ingredient Essentials

• Elbow Macaroni: Provides perfect texture and classic comfort food foundation, choose high-quality pasta for best results.

• Ground Beef, Onion, Garlic: Create rich meaty foundation with deep savory undertones, select lean ground beef for healthier option.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Delivers robust tangy base with layered tomato complexity, opt for San Marzano tomatoes for superior taste.
• Beef Broth: Enhances overall depth and moisture, use low-sodium version for better control of salt levels.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds unexpected umami and subtle complexity, choose high-quality artisan brand.

• Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Builds sophisticated flavor profile, use freshly ground spices for maximum aroma.

• Cheddar Cheese: Creates creamy, melty crown with sharp flavor, select sharp or extra-sharp variety for intense taste.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright garnish and fresh herbal note, use finely chopped for elegant presentation.

Must-Have Gear for Making Beefaroni at Home

• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: Essential for browning beef and cooking the entire dish.
• Spatula: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked macaroni and excess beef fat.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Knife and Cutting Board: Required for chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.
• Wooden Spoon or Cooking Spoon: Great for mixing and stirring ingredients.

Steps to Prepare Homemade Beefaroni

• Brown the Meat

Sizzle ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat, crumbling it into small pieces until perfectly golden and crispy.

• Create Flavor Base

Toss in diced onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and release their aromatic into the simmering meat.

• Build Rich Sauce

Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and a splash of beef broth. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a robust, mouthwatering sauce.

• Marry Pasta and Sauce

Fold cooked macaroni into the meaty tomato mixture, ensuring every noodle gets a delicious coating of the hearty sauce.

• Melt Cheesy Goodness

Shower the top with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the pan to let the cheese transform into a gooey, irresistible blanket.

• Serve and Enjoy

Scoop generous portions onto plates, optional fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Devour immediately while warm and comforting.

Tasty Variations for Beefaroni Dishes

• Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture, ensuring a delightful bite and authentic homemade feel.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier, lower-fat version that still delivers rich flavor.
• Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for extra heat, or keep it mild for kid-friendly meals by reducing seasoning intensity.
• Prepare larger batches and freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months, creating convenient make-ahead meals for busy weeknights.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack, pepper jack, or a combination of sharp and mild cheddars to create unique flavor profiles.

Serving Suggestions for Beefaroni Meals

• Family Feast Centerpiece: Create a comforting family-style dinner by serving the beefaroni in a large, rustic ceramic dish that invites everyone to dig in together.
• Hearty Side Companions: Pair with crisp garlic bread, simple green salad, or roasted vegetables to balance the rich, meaty pasta dish and add nutritional variety.
• Kid-Friendly Plating: Serve in colorful bowls with extra cheese sprinkled on top, making the meal visually appealing and exciting for children who love cheesy, saucy pasta.
• Leftover Lunch Remix: Transform remaining beefaroni into a next-day lunch by stuffing into a warm tortilla wrap or serving over toasted sandwich bread for a quick meal transformation.

Beefaroni Storage and Meal Prep Guidance

• Keep leftovers in airtight containers, refrigerated for up to 4 days. The dish maintains its delicious flavor when properly sealed.
• Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir occasionally for even heating.
• Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best taste and texture.
• Divide batch into individual serving containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Label with date to track freshness.

FAQs

• What makes this homemade beefaroni different from store-bought versions?

This recipe uses fresh ingredients, allows you to control the seasoning, and delivers a more authentic, richer flavor compared to canned versions. You can adjust spices and choose high-quality ground beef for better taste.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Beefaroni is a classic comfort food that most children love. The combination of pasta, beef, and cheese makes it appealing to kids, and you can easily adjust the spice level to suit their taste preferences.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beefaroni in advance and reheat it when needed. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture and prevent the pasta from drying out.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

While elbow macaroni is traditional, you can substitute it with other short pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or penne. Just ensure the pasta is similar in size to maintain the right pasta-to-sauce ratio.

Saucy Beefaroni Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty beefaroni combines pasta and ground beef in a classic comfort dish beloved by families. Simple ingredients merge into a nostalgic meal that satisfies hunger and warms hearts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 cup (100g) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 12 oz (340g) elbow macaroni
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside, preserving the pasta’s perfect texture.
2. Meat Browning: Heat skillet over medium-high and thoroughly brown ground beef, creating a caramelized exterior while breaking into fine crumbles.
3. Aromatics Infusion: Add onions and garlic to the beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence. Drain excess fat completely.
4. Sauce Creation: Combine tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Unification Process: Integrate cooked macaroni into the robust meat sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is generously enrobed with the rich, seasoned mixture.
6. Cheese Finale: Sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the top, cover skillet, and reduce heat. Let cheese melt into a luxurious, creamy layer.
7. Serving Presentation: Remove from heat, rest briefly, and plate. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.

Notes

Choose Lean Beef: Select ground beef with 85-90% lean meat to minimize excess grease and create a healthier, cleaner-tasting dish without compromising rich flavor.

Control Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than package instructions, preventing mushy consistency and ensuring perfect pasta that absorbs sauce beautifully.

Balance Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken, creating a rich, clingy coating that thoroughly embraces pasta and beef without becoming watery or runny.

Enhance Flavor Depth: Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during sauce preparation to introduce complex, robust undertones that elevate the overall taste profile of the beefaroni.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 70mg