Beefaroni

Easy Homemade Beefaroni made with ground beef, pasta, and a rich tomato sauce. A quick, family-friendly dinner recipe perfect for busy weeknights. Everyone will love this classic boxed dinner, done right!

If you’re looking for an easy dinner that your whole family will actually eat, this Homemade Beefaroni is one of those recipes that never fails. It’s simple, filling, and made with ingredients you probably already have at home.

This is the kind of meal I make when I need something quick but still want a real dinner on the table. It comes together fast, is full of flavor, and is always a hit with my kids. Honestly, it’s one of those comfort food recipes that just works every time.

Whether you need a quick weeknight dinner, a budget-friendly meal, or something easy to add to your rotation, this Beefaroni is one you’ll come back to again and again.

How to make Beefaroni:

Pasta: Cook your macaroni noodles according to the box directions. Try to keep them al dente as they will cook more once everything is mixed together.

Beef: Cook the ground beef and drain any excess oil or fat. Add the sauce and seasoning and mix with the beef.

Combine: Add in the noodles and mix again. Finally, add the cheese and mix one more time. Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient Notes:

• Elbow Macaroni – This is what makes the recipe “aroni”, but you can use another type of pasta as well.
• Oil – Any oil that you regularly use for cooking will work for this.
• Onion – I used a yellow onion that has been chopped.
• Garlic – Fresh minced garlic or jarred preminced garlic.
• Ground Beef – you can also use ground turkey for this.
• Tomato Sauce
• Seasoning – Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese.

Directions:

Step One – Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step Two – Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until tender and translucent.

Step Three – Add in minced garlic and allow to cook for 30 seconds then add in ground beef.

Cook and crumble and drain fat as needed.

Step Four – Add tomato sauce to ground beef and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Step Five – Add your drained cooked elbow macaroni to your skillet and mix with your ground beef and tomato sauce.

Remove from heat and mix in cheese until melted.

Step Six – Remove from heat and mix in cheese until melted.

Serve and enjoy.

Better than the Box Beefaroni:

Making things homemade are always better than using a box in my opinion.

One good thing about making this homemade is you can make a much larger batch than what comes in the box.

Serve the whole family and have leftovers for lunch!

Tips for Best Results

• Cook pasta just until al dente so it doesn’t get too soft
• Drain the beef well so the sauce isn’t greasy
• Let everything simmer together for a few minutes to build flavor
• Add cheese right before serving for the best texture

FAQs

Can I make Beefaroni ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat before serving.

Can I freeze Beefaroni?
Yes, this freezes well. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

How do I reheat leftovers?
Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of water or sauce if needed.

Can I use a different pasta?
Absolutely. Any small pasta shape works great in this recipe.

Try some of my other favorite pasta dishes:

One Pan Taco Pasta – This simple One-Pan Taco Pasta means fewer dishes for you after dinner and a happy family during dinner.

Rasta Pasta – Rasta Pasta is a cheesy, creamy pasta loaded with red, yellow, and green bell peppers and Jamaican Jerk seasoning!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – Ranch, pasta, bacon, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta dish has all the favorites!

If you tried any of my recipes, I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH