Quick & Hearty Homemade Beefaroni Recipe That Kids Adore

Comfort meets nostalgia in this hearty beefaroni that transports you back to childhood dinners.

Pasta and ground beef intertwine in a sauce bursting with rich, tangy flavors.

Memories of cozy kitchen moments flood back with each savory bite.

Weeknight meals become extraordinary when simple ingredients combine with love and care.

Home cooks can easily recreate this classic dish with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Your family will devour this delightful twist on a beloved comfort food.

Grab a fork and prepare for a delicious journey through taste and tradition.

Why Homemade Beefaroni Will Remind You of Childhood

• Prepare this hearty dish in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Easily adapt the recipe by switching cheeses, adding extra vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to suit different taste preferences.
• Create a filling meal using affordable ingredients like ground beef, macaroni, and pantry staples that stretch your grocery budget without compromising flavor.

Ingredients Checklist for Homemade Beefaroni

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape perfect for hearty dishes, holds sauce well.

• Ground Beef: Primary protein source, creates rich and satisfying texture, choose lean variety for less grease.

• Onion, Garlic: Adds depth and savory foundation to the dish, fresh ingredients preferred.

• Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Builds robust tomato base, creates rich and tangy flavor profile.
• Beef Broth: Adds additional depth and moisture to the sauce.

• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides complex umami flavor, enhances meat's richness.
• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal undertones, classic Mediterranean herb mix.
• Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and color.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balanced seasoning, adjust to personal taste.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, provides creamy and sharp flavor, sharp varieties recommended.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright color and fresh herb note, completely optional but recommended.

Making Homemade Beefaroni Without the Fuss

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook elbow macaroni in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sizzle Ground Beef

• Ground beef
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic

Crumble meat while cooking. Sauté until beef turns golden and onions become translucent. Drain excess grease.

Step 3: Build Rich Sauce

• Tomato sauce
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Simmer sauce for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

Step 4: Marry Pasta With Meat

Combine cooked pasta with beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over top. Cover skillet and let cheese melt completely.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve steaming hot directly from skillet.

Best Tips to Cook Homemade Beefaroni Just Right

• Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a satisfying bite.
• Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat after cooking to reduce greasiness and create a cleaner, healthier dish.
• Flavor Layering: Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes to allow spices and seasonings to develop a rich, deep taste profile.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Cover the skillet when adding cheese to create steam, ensuring smooth and even melting.
• Customization Option: Swap ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner protein alternative that works perfectly in this recipe.

How to Keep Homemade Beefaroni Ready for Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled beefaroni to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth or water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through and creamy.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What Works Well With Homemade Beefaroni

• A bold, medium-bodied red like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon cuts through the richness of the beefaroni, complementing its robust tomato and beef flavors.
• A light, tangy salad with vinaigrette dressing provides a fresh contrast to the hearty, comforting pasta dish, balancing its heavy texture.
• An amber ale or hoppy IPA offers a malty, slightly bitter profile that stands up to the meaty, saucy beefaroni, enhancing its savory elements.
• Toasted garlic bread with a crispy exterior and soft interior perfectly soaks up the extra sauce, adding a delightful crunch and complementary garlic notes.

Creative Takes on Homemade Beefaroni

• Vegetarian Beefaroni: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed, meat-free version that maintains the hearty flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular elbow macaroni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced green chilies, chili powder, and a dash of cayenne to create a zesty, southwestern-inspired take on the classic recipe.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute macaroni with riced cauliflower or spiralized zucchini for a lower-carb, veggie-rich interpretation of the dish.

Homemade Beefaroni Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty homemade beefaroni delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, blending rich beef and tender pasta in a nostalgic embrace. Savory sauce and perfectly cooked noodles ensure you’ll crave this classic comfort meal again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef
• 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340g) elbow macaroni
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup (15g) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a pot of salted water and cook elbow macaroni until tender, ensuring a slight firmness. Once cooked, carefully drain and reserve.
2. Select a robust skillet and heat it to medium-high. Crumble ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small fragments while cooking until a rich, caramel-brown color develops.
3. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the sizzling beef. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence. Eliminate any accumulated grease.
4. Craft a robust sauce by incorporating tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, savory beef broth, tangy Worcestershire sauce, aromatic Italian seasoning, smoky paprika, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
5. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, permitting flavors to intertwine and develop depth for approximately 10 minutes.
6. Fold the previously prepared macaroni into the hearty meat mixture, ensuring each pasta piece becomes generously coated with the savory sauce.
7. Sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese across the surface. Cover the skillet and reduce heat, allowing cheese to melt into a creamy blanket.
8. Remove from heat, let rest momentarily, then serve steaming hot. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.

Notes

• Customize texture by adjusting pasta cooking time for softer or firmer macaroni depending on personal preference.
• Reduce fat content by using lean ground beef or ground turkey as a healthier protein alternative.
• Enhance flavor depth by adding a splash of red wine or a dash of smoked paprika during sauce simmering stage.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular macaroni with certified gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or rice-based noodles.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 780mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 75mg