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 mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beefaroni
Servings: 6
Calories: 550kcal
- 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
- 1½ 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
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.
- Adjust the Cheese: Feel free to try different types of cheese for different flavors.
- Spice It Up: For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the tomato sauce.
- Add Veggies: Sneak in some extra nutrients by adding chopped spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the beef mixture.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free elbow macaroni. Just ensure it's cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- 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.
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