Beefaroni

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This Beefaroni is a quick and easy dinner, perfect for busy nights. With simple ingredients like pasta, ground beef, and a cheesy tomato sauce, it’s a family favorite that’s always a hit!       

Are you looking for more easy ground beef recipes? Try our Mini Meatloaves, Hamburger Helper, or Easy Rotel Pasta.

A bowl of spiral pasta topped with a rich, savory meat sauce garnished with chopped herbs. The pasta is vibrant orange from the sauce. A striped napkin is visible on the side, and a small bowl of salt is in the background.

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If you grew up loving Chef Boyardee Beefaroni or the creamy comfort of Hamburger Helper, this homemade version is sure to take you back.

Made with simple pantry ingredients,  Made with simple pantry ingredients, this classic dish is sure to bring back childhood memories while creating new ones with your loved ones.

Close-up of a skillet filled with cooked cavatappi pasta in a rich, red meat sauce. A wooden spoon lifts a portion, showing noodles and bits of ground meat. Garnished with fresh parsley, the dish looks appetizing and warm.

What you’ll love about this this Beefaroni Recipe: 


  • Quick and Simple: An easy, one-pot meal perfect for weeknights.
  • Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love the cheesy pasta and hearty sauce.
  • Customizable: Add your favorite veggies or swap the cheese for a twist.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this amazing pasta recipe with ground beef:

  • Ground beef
  • Elbow macaroni
  • Tomato sauce
  • Yellow Onion
  • Fresh Garlic
  • Olive oil
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Beef Broth
Ingredients are arranged on a light surface: bowl of elbow macaroni, ground beef, diced onion, beef broth, tomato sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, and seasonings including garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and oil in a bottle.

INGREDIENT NOTES:

  • Ground Beef: Provides a hearty base for this comforting dish. I used 80/20 meat.
  • Elbow Macaroni: The perfect short cut pasta for soaking up the sauce.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Adds a creamy, yummy finish to this family favorite!

HOW TO MAKE BEEFARONI STEP-BY-STEP:

Check out the quick visual guides below. For full instructions and ingredients, see the printable recipe card at the end.

Step 1: Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions until macaroni al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and fragrant.

Step 3: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess fat.

A six-image collage shows the steps of making a meat sauce. Top row: chopped onions with garlic, ground beef added, browned beef mixed with onions. Bottom row: tomato sauce and spices added, sauce mixed with meat, grated cheese on top.

Step 4: Stir in the tomato sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to create the tomato meat sauce. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.

Step 5: Add the cooked macaroni and shredded Monterey Jack cheese to the skillet. Stir until melted and evenly combined.

Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

A pan filled with cooked pasta mixed with ground meat in a rich red sauce, garnished with chopped parsley. The pasta is spiral-shaped, and the dish appears hearty and flavorful, set on a light-colored surface.

Notes: Cooking the onions and garlic first brings out their full flavor, creating a rich base for the dish, while cooking the pasta separately ensures it’s perfectly al dente and doesn’t absorb too much sauce. This method keeps the sauce flavorful and the dish balanced.

You can cook the onions and garlic with the pound of ground beef to save time, then add uncooked pasta directly to the skillet with extra liquid like broth (start with 1 cup). Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the flavors blend together. 

PRO TIP:

For the best flavor, let the sauce simmer a little longer if you have time. It helps bring out the richness of the tomato sauce and beef.

A white bowl filled with cooked pasta mixed with a rich tomato and meat sauce, garnished with chopped parsley. A striped napkin is on the side, and small bowls of salt and pepper are nearby on a light-colored surface.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 3 days.

Reheating: When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to loosen if dry. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.

Freezing:  Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Additions & Substitutions

ADDITIONS:

  • Vegetables: Stir in diced bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrients.
  • Cheese: Top with parmesan cheese or mix in some mozzarella cheese for extra cheesy goodness!

SUBSTITUTIONS:

  • Ground Beef: Swap for Italian sausage or use ground chicken for a lighter option.
  • Monterey Jack Cheese: Replace with sharp cheddar cheese or a mix of your favorites.

FAQs about this Beefaroni Recipe:

Stir in a splash of heavy cream for a creamy twist on the sauce.

Yes, any short cut pasta like rotini, penne, or small shells will work well in this dish. Just adjust the cooking time based on the pasta type.

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes blended with a touch of tomato paste to create a rich sauce.

A bowl of rotini pasta topped with a rich, tomato-based meat sauce. A spoon lifts a portion of the pasta, which is garnished with chopped parsley. Salt and pepper shakers are visible in the background on a light-colored surface.
A bowl of pasta with a rich meat sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. The pasta is spiral-shaped, and the sauce appears hearty and tomato-based. A pan and a bowl of salt are in the background on a light-colored surface.

What Can I Serve with this Homemade Beefaroni?

Serve this pasta with ground meat recipe with garlic bread, a side salad, or green beans.

A wooden spoon scoops a portion of pasta with a rich, meaty tomato sauce from a black skillet. The dish features curly pasta shapes, garnished with herbs, creating a hearty and appetizing meal.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Five golden stars image.

I’m excited for you to try this Beefaroni Recipe! After you make it, please leave a rating to let me know your thoughts on it – I’m eager to hear if you loved it as much as we do!

A bowl of Beefaroni pasta with a rich, chunky tomato and meat sauce, garnished with fresh herbs. The pasta is spiral-shaped, and the dish is set on a gray striped cloth.

Beefaroni

Vicky Hadley~Little Chef Within
Beefaroni is the ultimate comfort food! Pasta, ground beef, and a cheesy tomato sauce come together for an easy dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to please the whole family.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 524 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 15 ounce cans tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions
 

  • Cook macaroni in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add ground beef to skillet. Cook until no longer pink, breaking up meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
  • Add tomato sauce, broth Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in cooked macaroni and shredded cheese. Cover until cheese melts, then stir again.
  • Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Notes: 
Cooking the onions and garlic first brings out their full flavor, creating a rich base for the dish, while cooking the pasta separately ensures it’s perfectly al dente and doesn’t absorb too much sauce. This method keeps the sauce flavorful and the dish balanced.
You can cook the onions and garlic with the pound of ground beef to save time, then add uncooked pasta directly to the skillet with extra liquid like broth (start with 1 cup). Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the flavors blend together. 

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 23gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 446mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 3mg
Keyword 30 minute meals, Dinner, easy, ground beef, pasta, quick meals
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