Beefaroni
My kids inhaled this homemade Beefaroni that took me straight back to my childhood! Things I’m loving about this recipe as an adult is that my kids ate it, it’s homemade instead of canned, and it is made in one pan. It’s a sure winner for an easy dinner recipe!
The whole family is going to love this homemade beefaroni recipe! Quick to put together and ready to eat in under 30 minutes, this is a comforting dish that always gets rave reviews in my house. This easy beefaroni combines savory beef, tender noodles, rich tomato sauce and gooey cheese to make a dish that will disappear.
The kids love helping to prepare this one, too, and since it’s all made in one pot, there’s no worrying about boiling hot pasta water. There’s a job for everyone between the measuring of spices and herbs, chopping of onions, and grating of cheddar and parmesan cheeses so make this a family affair!
Key Ingredients
- Ground beef – I like to switch it up once in a while and use ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork in it’s place.
- Tomato sauce – For convenience, I use a store bought sauce, but you can definitely use homemade if you like. A can of crushed tomatoes will work in a pinch, too.
- Beef broth – In a pinch, vegetable or chicken broth can be swapped in.
- Macaroni – If you start cooking and realize you don’t have any macaroni in the cupboard, any short pasta like ditalini, shells, farfalle, or penne will do just fine.
- Cheese – In this recipe, I use shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese. Buying a block and shredding will get the most flavor and the best melt.
Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Serving Suggestions
My family loves Garlic Bread with saucy, comforting dishes like beefaroni because it’s great for mopping up any rich tomato sauce left behind on the plate.
This is typically a dish reserved for busy weeknights, so easy sides like a green salad, Air Fryer Broccoli or Roasted Cauliflower are my go-to’s.
Pro Tips
- Add a few extra veggies like diced bell pepper, sliced mushrooms or spinach.
- If you have time and like a bubbly cheese topping, broil your casserole for a couple of minutes before serving.
- Add a colorful finishing touch with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
Beefaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 8 ounces tomato sauce (1 can)
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups dry macaroni noodles
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat, then add in the ground beef and onions and brown. Once browned, drain off and discard any grease.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minutes. Then add paprika, onion powder, tomato sauce, tomato paste, milk, and beef broth. Stir together and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the noodles, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Cover the pot with a lid, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the noodles are tender.
- Add the shredded cheese, then place the lid back on the pan until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
Can you make this in a slow cooker? Looks great but my kitchen stay too hot to cook on the stove…
Here is how to adapt it for a slow cooker:1.Brown the meat and onion: Do this on the stovetop first. Heat a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion, and drain off the excess grease. Stir in the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant, then transfer everything into your slow cooker.2.Slow cook the savory base: Low for 3–4 hours or High for 1.5–2 hours. Add the paprika, onion powder, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, dried basil, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker with the meat. Stir well, cover, and cook. (Hold back the milk, macaroni, and cheeses for now).3.Add the noodles and milk: High for 20–30 minutes. Turn the slow cooker to High (if it isn’t already). Stir in the dry macaroni noodles and the 1 cup of milk. Cover and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, checking around the 20-minute mark, until the pasta is just tender.4.Melt the cheese and serve: Turn off the slow cooker or set it to Warm. Stir in the shredded cheddar and parmesan cheese until completely melted and creamy. Serve immediately.
Thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to write all this.
Bless you..