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beefaroni topped with cheese and garnished with parsley in a skillet.
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5 from 2 votes

Beefaroni

This Beefaroni recipe is a true comfort food classic, combining tender elbow macaroni with savory ground beef and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melty cheese. It's perfect for a quick, satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Whip it up in just about 40 minutes for a deliciously hearty dish that's sure to become a weeknight favorite.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beefaroni
Servings: 6
Calories: 550kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef extra lean
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
  • 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes 1 can undrained
  • cups beef broth low sodium
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Break up the meat with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  • Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef, and cook until the onions are translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, ensuring it's submerged in the liquid. Cover and simmer on low heat for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • When the macaroni is close to being done but still has a slight bite to it, reduce the heat to low and stir in the ½ cup of heavy cream. Continue to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes, or until the pasta is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened to your liking. Be careful not to let the mixture come to a boil after adding the cream to prevent it from curdling.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until melted.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the Beefaroni. Cover the skillet for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt from the residual heat.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. Adjust the Cheese: Feel free to try different types of cheese for different flavors. 
  2. Spice It Up: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the tomato sauce.
  3. Add Veggies: Sneak in some extra nutrients by adding chopped spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
  4. Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free elbow macaroni. Just ensure it's cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy.
  5. Leftovers Tip: If the sauce thickens too much upon reheating, simply stir in a little water or broth to bring it back to the perfect consistency.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 843mg | Potassium: 895mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 308mg | Iron: 4mg