This homemade beefaroni recipe has seasoned ground beef with elbow macaroni coated in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's comforting and nostalgic, making the ultimate easy weeknight dinner everyone will love!
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The Best Beefaroni
There's something so nostalgic about a giant bowl of beefaroni. While the canned version from Chef Boyardee is pretty good, this homemade beefaroni recipe is so much better!
It's a hearty, comfort food meal that's loaded with flavor. The combination of al dente macaroni and a seasoned tomato meat sauce is so simple, but it's so delicious.
Trust me, after you make this homemade version, you'll never want the canned stuff again!
Oh, and what's even better than how this beefaroni recipe tastes is how easy it is to make. You'll easily be able to whip up this Italian cheese bread or these Olive Garden breadsticks to serve with it and soak up all that flavorful tomato sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
One pan meal. After you cook the macaroni, everything else for this beefaroni recipe comes together in just one pan. So the cooking process and cleanup are a breeze.
Foolproof. This easy recipe is perfect for beginner cooks, and it's guaranteed to turn out perfect every time you make it.
Simple ingredients. This recipe is made with a handful of really common ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand already.
Family favorite. Although the Chef Boyardee beefaroni is geared toward kids, both adults and kids love this homemade version. You can make it for a busy weeknight meal, and everyone will be satisfied.
Ingredients
As I just mentioned, this homemade beefaroni recipe calls for simple ingredients, and those ingredients are:
- 9 oz. elbow macaroni
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp. chili powder
You can use many of the ingredients from this recipe to make this American chop suey, so consider giving that recipe a try next!
How To Make Beefaroni
1. Cook the macaroni: Take out a large pot and cook the macaroni noodles according to package directions.
2. Cook the ground beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper to it. Brown ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks, then drain any excess grease.
3. Assemble the beefaroni: Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot. Add the evenly browned ground beef, canned tomato sauce, and chili powder to the pot. Give everything a good stir to combine.
4. Simmer and serve: Put the pot back on the stove and cook over medium heat until the pasta is al dente and the sauce reaches your desired thickness. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Recipe
- Undercook the pasta as it will cook more with the rest of the ingredients in the last step of the recipe
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, or Italian seasoning to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Add leftover pasta water if you want a thinner tomato sauce or if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Use lean ground beef for less fat, or swap the ground beef for ground turkey.
- Swap elbow macaroni noodles for pasta shells, bowtie pasta, or penne pasta for a different texture. Anything works great!
- Serve the beefaroni with shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh green herbs, or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Double the recipe if you're having guests over or looking to feed a big hungry family. Everyone will want seconds, and it makes for great leftovers!
How To Store Beefaroni
In the fridge: Store leftover beefaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
In the freezer: Allow the beefaroni to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze beefaroni for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Put the beefaroni back in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or tomato sauce. Warm for a few minutes stirring frequently until it reaches your desired temperature. Allow the beefaroni to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQS About This Beefaroni Recipe
What is beefaroni made of?
This easy homemade beefaroni is made with seasoned ground beef mixed with canned tomato sauce and al dente elbow macaroni.
What's the difference between beefaroni and goulash?
Traditional goulash is a Hungarian dish made of stewed meat and vegetables cooked with paprika and other spices. American goulash, on the other hand, is just another name for beefaroni. The dishes are basically the same thing, except goulash is sometimes made with a homemade sauce.
How do you make beefaroni better?
It's already so delicious, but you can make it better by cooking the beef with minced garlic or garlic powder for more flavor or adding some shredded cheese on top.
More Recipes
- Shake and bake chicken
- Shake and bake pork chops
- Italian casserole
- Carbone spicy rigatoni
- Stuffed shells with meat
- Taco rice casserole
Homemade Beefaroni Recipe
This homemade beefaroni recipe has seasoned ground beef with elbow macaroni coated in a flavorful tomato sauce. It's comforting and nostalgic, making the ultimate easy weeknight dinner everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 9 oz. (250g) elbow macaroni
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs. (700g) ground beef
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp. chili powder
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Drain the cooked pasta and return to the pot. Add the beef, tomato sauce, and chili powder and stir together.
- Return the pot to the stove over medium heat until the pasta is al dente.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 412Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 31g
Sydney
This homemade beefaroni was great!