Beefaroni

Our homemade Beefaroni is saucy, mega beefy and seriously comforting. This pasta dish is ready to serve in just about 20 minutes!

We love serving this recipe with our Homemade Garlic Bread on the side. This beefy pasta is a meal in itself, but we’ll never turn down a delicious Caesar Salad to go along with it!

Easy to Make Homemade Beefaroni

Beefaroni is one of those dishes that every kid loves. But sometimes adults forget that they can eat it, too! Homemade beefaroni is a million times better than anything you’ll find in a can, and it elevates a childhood staple into a perfect weeknight meal for anyone. 

It’s not news that I love pasta and I love beef, and this is one of my favorite ways to combine the two. This quick beefaroni recipe is spicy, saucy, and packed with fresh flavors from onions, garlic, and parsley. The flavors are deep and rich, and it’s an especially comforting meal on a cold night. 

Don’t let anyone tell you that Beefaroni is just for kids! Try this recipe and it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.

Recipe Ingredients

Here are all the ingredients you need to make this beefaroni dish. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the article for the exact amounts of each ingredient.

• Olive oil
• Onions – I recommend using yellow or sweet onions for this recipe, but white or red onions will work, too.
• Garlic
• Ground beef – You should use lean ground beef.
• Kosher salt
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Chili powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Black pepper – For best results, use freshly-ground pepper.
• Canned tomato sauce
• Elbow pasta – The pasta should be cooked and drained.
• Fresh parsley – Parsley is an optional garnish.
• Parmesan cheese – Parmesan cheese is also an optional garnish.

What is Italian Seasoning? 

Italian seasoning is a popular spice blend, and the exact mixture varies depending on the brand. It usually contains rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, and marjoram. Sometimes it contains other herbs and spices as well, such as garlic, chili flakes, and sage.

You can buy Italian seasoning at any grocery store, but if you’re in a pinch you can just make your own by combining some of those spices. 

How to Make Beefaroni

Here’s step by step instructions for making this super quick and easy pasta dish. For complete instructions and ingredient amounts, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Cook the aromatics. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the oil. Add the onion and cook until it’s softened, about 5 minutes. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the beef. Put the ground beef in the pan and break it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink, then drain the grease from the skillet.
3. Finish the sauce. Add the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the pan, and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes over a low heat, while stirring occasionally.
4. Add the pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, and stir to combine. Taste the Beefaroni and adjust the seasoning if needed, then serve with parsley and parmesan cheese. 

Tips for Success

Here are a few tricks and tips for making this meaty pasta dish.

• Brown the meat. When cooking the beef, don’t stir it too much. You want the beef to maintain contact with the pan so that it can brown a little bit. Browning the beef adds extra flavor to the meat, and gives the dish a much richer, meatier flavor. 
• Use a good quality tomato sauce. Beef and pasta may be the stars of this beefaroni, but the tomato sauce is every bit as important. There’s a lot of tomato sauce in this recipe, and the smooth, acidic tomato flavor really shines through. The taste of tomato sauces that you’ll find in the store really varies, so try to use a good quality one. 
• Use fresh parmesan. I highly recommend using the optional garnishes of parmesan cheese and parsley for this recipe. And I also recommend using fresh parmesan cheese, instead of pre-grated cheese. The nuttiness and saltiness of fresh parmesan really brings this dish together. 

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

You can store this beefaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, cook on low heat over the stove until heated through, about 5 minutes.

Or you can reheat in the microwave on medium heat, cooking in 30-second intervals until warm throughout. You might want to add a splash of water before reheating to keep the Beefaroni saucy. 

Can You Freeze Beefaroni?

Not only can you freeze beefaroni, but I highly recommend keeping some in your freezer at all times. Frozen beefaroni makes for a super easy meal in a pinch.

Freeze the dish in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or defrost in the microwave before heating.

More Pasta Recipes to Try

If you liked this easy beefaroni recipe, then check out some of my other favorite pasta dishes. 

• Skillet shrimp and artichoke pasta
• Baked Ziti recipe
• One Pot Spaghetti
• Pasta carbonara
• Meatball parmesan pasta bake

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