Delicious Homemade Beefaroni: A Quick and Easy Recipe
This homemade beefaroni is a quick, cheesy, and comforting pasta dish made with ground beef and a rich tomato sauce. An easy, budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love! Macaroni noodles simmered in a tomato meat sauce until they are perfectly al dente, seasoned to perfection, and sprinkled with cheese. A few simple ingredients make the ultimate comfort food dinner in no time!
Looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal? Be sure to check out this One Skillet Steak and Potatoes and this Easy Shrimp Curry Recipe!
If you grew up on Beefaroni, this homemade version is about to take you right back, but it’s better! It’s rich, cheesy, packed with flavor, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
What Is Beefaroni?
Beefaroni is a pasta dish made with elbow macaroni, a protein such as ground beef, ground pork, or ground turkey. They are combined in a rich tomato sauce made with diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes.
The pasta is cooked until al dente, then it is combined and can be placed in a casserole dish. Sprinkle some shredded cheese over the top and bake it. Or you can make it in one large skillet and serve it right from the stovetop!
Key Ingredients
Tomato sauce: you can make it from scratch by using crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings.
Ground beef: use brown ground beef, ground turkey, or even ground pork for this homemade version of beefaroni.
Seasonings: Italian seasoning, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper are just of it.
Onions and peppers: diced onions and peppers add a delicious depth of flavor to the tomato meat sauce.
How to Make Homemade Beefaroni
This is one of those easy, budget-friendly meals that comes together quickly and feeds the whole family. Perfect for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or when you just want something warm, comforting, and satisfying.
Brown ground beef in a large skillet or large pot over medium heat
Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste into the skillet.
Add about about 2 cups of chicken broth and stir it until fully combined. Allow the tomato sauce to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste the sauce for salt and pepper and adjust to taste.
Stir in sauce and pasta.
Simmer until pasta is cooked al dente.
Top the American goulash with shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese. Serve right away.
What to Serve with this homemade beefaroni recipe
Keep dinner simple and serve this American Goulash with garlic bread, a side salad, or steamed vegetables. You should definitely serve it with shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese to sprinkle over the top too!
Pro Tips for the best Beefaroni:
- Cook pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting
- Add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed
- Let it simmer a few minutes so flavors can blend
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving
FAQ
Is beefaroni the same as American Goulash?
Yes American goulash and homemade beefaroni are essentially the same thing. The names are often used interchangeably, along with American chop suey.
Can I freeze leftover beefaroni?
You can freeze the sauce used for the beefaroni recipe, but you should not freeze the cooked pasta. Thaw the sauce, and cook the macaroni noodles to order.
What does beefaroni taste like?
Beefaroni is made with a tomato meat sauce, usually with a lean ground beef or ground turkey. The macaroni along with tomato meat sauce give it a similar taste to spaghetti.
Delicious Homemade Beefaroni
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1/2 medium Onion, diced
- 1/2 Green or red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 1 15 ounce can Diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 2 cups Chicken broth, sub water
- 1/2 pound Elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon Seasoned salt, adjust to taste
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes, optional for spice
- 1-2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Chopped green onions to garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef into the skillet and break it up with a spatula, then cook it until there is no more pink left.
- Once the meat is cooked through, remove any excess grease if there is a lot in the skillet. now add the diced onions and bell peppers and saute them for 5 minutes, or until softened.
- Now pour the diced tomatoes and tomato paste into the skillet with the ground beef. Stir it well until everything is fully combined. Next, stir in the chicken broth.
- Gently pour the elbow macaroni into the skillet, along with the seasonings including: the seasoned salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning (add the red pepper flakes if you are using them). Stir this well so that everything is combined. Cover the skillet with a lid and allow it to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Check the pasta and stir occasionally to ensure it is not sticking to the skillet. If the pasta absorbs all of the liquid before cooking through, add one tablespoon of broth or water at a time.
- Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese over the top, and garnish with chopped green onions. And Enjoy!
Notes
Equipment
Be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook when you make the Beefaroni Recipe! I would love to see your creation, and give you a shoutout!
so good