Description
Beefaroni is a quick, comforting, and hearty dish combining lean ground beef with savory tomato sauce and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, offering a budget-friendly, adaptable meal packed with familiar flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or small pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic until the beef is fully cooked and onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Beef Mixture: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and mix thoroughly until every piece is coated with the sauce.
- Cheese It Up: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it melt for a few minutes until gooey and melted.
Notes
- Don’t overcook pasta to prevent mushiness.
- Drain excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Simmer slowly on low heat to deepen flavors.
- Use fresh garlic for a more vibrant taste.
- Let the dish rest a few minutes after cooking to enhance texture and flavor absorption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: thirty five g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Beefaroni, comfort food, quick dinner, ground beef pasta, easy recipes, family meal
