Homemade Beefaroni

Name: Homemade Beefaroni
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1½ cups tomato basil pasta sauce ((use your favorite pasta sauce)); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups uncooked macaroni; chopped parsley ((for garnish, optional))

PIN RECIPE RECIPE CARD EMAIL RECIPE

Skip the boxed stuff and easily make this homemade Beefaroni! It is a simple, warming, bowl of macaroni, seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce. A crowd pleaser!

AN AFFORDABLE PASTA DINNER RECIPE

With back to school back into full gear, I’m all about a simple, quick and cost effective dinners. And honestly, with how grocery prices are right now, we can all use affordable dinners, right? This homemade Beefaroni will fill everybody’s bellies without breaking the wallet or making you search high and low for a million ingredients. Even if you don’t want to (or are unable to) add meat, this is still a great tasting and filling meal! It really can be stretched out to feed a lot of people. Plus, you’ll feel good about feeding it to your family. And the bonus? It’s ready in only 30 minutes!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Why is my sauce bland?

That all depends what kind of sauce you chose to use. Obviously, use what you can afford. The Hunts spaghetti sauce is a fantastic alternative and you can add additional seasoning as you see fit. If you are using plain tomato sauce, I would recommend adding a bit of garlic powder and Italian seasoning to taste.

Why is my macaroni mushy?

You let it cook too long before adding it to the sauce. I want to remind you to ensure the macaroni is al dente when you’re cooking it, as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce.

Can I add cheese?

Of course! Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar cheese before serving for a cheesy twist.

What else can I add?

Add diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach for extra nutrition and flavor.

How can I make this Homemade Beefaroni spicy?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce for some heat.

What to serve with Beefaroni?

This Beefaroni would go great with:
Garlic Bread
Green Salad
Steamed Vegetables

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the beefaroni in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

How to store leftover Beefaroni and reheat it later?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or extra tomato sauce to prevent drying out.

A wooden spoon holding a scoop of Beefaroni.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

ground beef– Choose lean ground beef to keep the dish from becoming too greasy (but use what you can afford). If you use a higher fat meat, just make sure to drain off the excess grease after you’ve browned it.
salt and pepper
medium onion – Don’t like onion? Just leave it out and add about a teaspoon of onion powder if you have it.
garlic powder – you can use fresh garlic here if you have it on hand or jarred garlic. About a teaspoon (or more, garlic should be measure by your heart – ha!)
tomato basil pasta sauce or regular tomato sauce– you can use your favorite brand, or make your own homemade sauce. If you don’t have tomato sauce, you can use any tomato-based pasta sauce or even a can of diced tomatoes with some added seasoning. Fit this into your budget however you need to.
Worcestershire sauce
uncooked macaroni– While macaroni is traditional, you can substitute with any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shells. Just be sure to cook it according to the package instructions.
parsley– this is totally optional. You can even sprinkle some dried parsley. It just adds color to the dish but there is no need to fancy it up at all!

pasta sauce, macaroni noodles, olive oil, salt pepper, ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion.

HOW TO MAKE BEEFARONI

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

A skillet with cooked ground beef and a skillet with ground beef and onion.

Stir in the garlic powder and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet. Stir until the pasta is well coated with the sauce and everything is heated through.