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plate of beefaroni with elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and melted Parmesan cheese.

Homemade Beefaroni Recipe

This homemade beefaroni recipe is a comforting dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd. With a rich tomato base, perfectly seasoned beef, and cheesy goodness, it’s a budget-friendly upgrade to the boxed version. Easy to make, freeze, and customize!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 33 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • pound Ground beef 80/20 Fresh, not frozen, for best flavor
  • 1 pound Elbow macaroni Cook al dente
  • 24 oz Tomato sauce San Marzano tomatoes recommended
  • 1 can Diced tomatoes Adds texture and freshness
  • 1 medium Onion Diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning Dried or fresh blend
  • 2 cups Shredded cheese Freshly grated for best melt
  • To taste Salt and pepper Season at every stage

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot (5-6 quart) For boiling pasta
  • 1 Deep Skillet For browning beef and making sauce
  • 1 Colander For draining pasta
  • 1 Wooden spoon For stirring
  • 1 Measuring cups/spoons For accurate ingredient measurements
  • 1 Cheese Grater For freshly grated cheese

Method
 

Prep (10 minutes):
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
  2. Dice onion and mince garlic.
  3. Grate cheese and measure seasonings.
First Phase (10 minutes):
  1. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water (2 minutes less than package instructions).
  2. In a skillet, brown ground beef with diced onion over medium-high heat.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.
Sauce Development (8 minutes):
  1. Add minced garlic to the beef mixture.
  2. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Simmer to develop flavors.
Final Assembly (7 minutes):
  1. Combine al dente pasta with meat sauce.
  2. Fold in freshly grated cheese in two stages (half while hot, half after resting).
  3. Adjust seasoning to taste and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.