Looking for the best easy homemade beefaroni recipe? You’ll love this simple recipe made with elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tons of tomato flavor. Top it with some shredded cheddar cheese for a cheesy one pot skillet that's bound to become a comfort food favorite. Ready in about 30 minutes.
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Looking for an easy meal on those busy weeknights? Give this beefaroni recipe a try! The entire family will love the familiar flavor, even those picky eaters. You'll love that it's made with simple ingredients, not the added preservatives from hamburger helper.
I'm not embarrassed to say that cans of Chef Boyardee Beefaroni graced the shelves of my kitchen cabinets growing up. But now that I'm all grown up and make a living as a recipe developer, I knew there had to be a way to turn one of my childhood favorites into an easy pasta dish of tender macaroni noodles in a tomato meat sauce.
I think you'll agree that this homemade version fits the bill perfectly. Once your family sinks their teeth into this delicious meal, the canned stuff will become a thing of the past.
Ingredients
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for exact amounts and printable recipe card!
Elbow macaroni - I like using the large elbow macaroni noodles. You can use any short cut pasta like penne or even fusilli. Try chickpea pasta if you are gluten sensitive.
Tomato sauce - I like the flavor and texture of tomato sauce best for this recipe. A good substitute would be crushed tomatoes. You may want to add a tablespoon of sugar to sweeten it up a bit. If you like more texture to your tomatoes, try adding a can of diced tomatoes that have been drained.
Ground beef - I prefer to use 85% or 90% lean ground beef. It has good flavor without being too fatty. If you use a fattier version, just drain some of the fat off, if desired. Other options include ground turkey, ground chicken, or crumbled sausage.
Herbs and spices - I use chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and fresh parsley.
Olive oil or canola oil.You could also add some chopped bell peppers if you like.
Garlic cloves - chopped finely
Shredded cheese - use some sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, or whatever is your favorite. This is optional.
Directions
Mix seasoning together in a small bowl, set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle on the seasonings and some salt and pepper. Brown ground beef until no longer pink. Add minced garlic, cook for one minute.
Add tomato sauce to beef mixture and stir until well mixed. Let simmer for 25 minutes (uncovered) while you cook the macaroni. Stir in parsley after the sauce has simmered.
Cook macaroni according to package directions to al dente (usually 7 minutes). Drain cooking water (don’t rinse) and add to tomato/beef mixture. Stir well.
Your homemade beefaroni recipe is ready!
Recipe tips
I like 85/15 ground beef, but you may want to use something leaner. If you choose a fattier beef, be sure to drain the excess fat.
Any short style pasta will work, just be sure to cook it according to package directions.
Adding shredded cheese is up to you...it's definitely lighter to leave the cheese out. lf you do want cheese, just sprinkle it over the top, cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt. Or you can put the skillet under the broiler for a few minutes. Just be sure it's oven proof! You can also put the beefaroni in a casserole dish and bake in the oven at 350º F for 20-25 minutes.
Add some red pepper flakes to the sauce if you want to add a spicy kick.
How to store
Store leftover beefaroni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power. Cover container and stir at the halfway point. Heat until hot throughout.
Freeze in freezer safe storage containers for up to three months. Thaw in refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
What's the difference between Beefaroni and American Goulash?
The main difference lies in the name. Both dishes are very similar and may depend on what your family calls it, or what part of the country you come from.
More hearty ground beef recipes
📖 Recipe
Beefaroni
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon mild flavored oil
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2-15 oz. cans tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoon parsley fresh, chopped
- 10 oz. large elbow macaroni cooked; about 3 cups uncooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded or more (optional)
Instructions
- Mix seasoning together in a small bowl, set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle on the seasonings and some salt and pepper. Cook until completely browned. Add minced garlic, cook for one minute.
- Add tomato sauce to beef mixture and stir until well mixed. Let simmer for 25 minutes (uncovered) while you cook the macaroni. Stir in parsley after the sauce has simmered.
- Cook macaroni according to package directions to al dente (usually 7 minutes). Drain cooking water (don’t rinse) and add to tomato/beef mixture. Stir well.
- To serve with cheese:
- Preheat broiler. Add one to two cups of cheese to the beefaroni. Broil skillet a few inches away from the heat until the cheese melts and is lightly browned. Be sure your skillet is oven proof or cover your handles with heavy duty aluminum foil.
- To bake as a casserole: Preheat oven to 350º F. Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Add beefaroni to the dish then top with cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Destiny
This was SO good. Brought me right back to my childhood but with more quality ingredients. I added a pinch of sugar and tomato bouillon to deepen the flavor. But it stands on its own very well.
Sue
I made a couple of tweaks to the recipe and it turned out great. I added two cups of beef broth to the skillet along with the tomato sauce and cooked the macaroni in the skillet rather than cooking it separately. When the macaroni was done, I added the cheese on top, put the lid on, and let it melt. So yummy!
Vincent
Great recipe! I added ricotta cheese and topped with mozzarella and baked.
X. Culletto
This was a hit with our family tonight. Thanks so much for sharing!
Jay moon
Great recipe to have especially for children.
Added pinch of sugar to cut acid in tomatoes.
Sarah
I will be making this tonight. With ground turkey. I can not wait.
Nikole
I hope you enjoy it Sarah!
Allison
Made this tonight using ground turkey. When I nake this again I will up the spices a bit because all I could taste was the tomatoes from the sauce. Very easy and quick to make.
Tommy
Very good
Nikole
Thank you Tommy! Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for leaving a comment and rating- I appreciate it!