Description
This homemade Beefaroni recipe combines ground beef, macaroni, and a deliciously cheesy tomato sauce with savory seasonings for a comforting classic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- ½ lb. macaroni (about 2 cups)
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- ½ cup half and half
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
- ½ beef bouillon cube (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon each: dried oregano, basil, parsley
Instructions
- In a large measuring cup, combine sauce ingredients (broth, tomato sauce, half and half, Worcestershire, mustard, ketchup, bouillon, herbs) and set aside. Measure remaining ingredients.
- Season beef with salt/pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook and crumble beef for 3 minutes, then add onions. Cook 5-6 minutes until beef is cooked through. Drain and set aside.
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain.
- Meanwhile, in the skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in garlic, flour, and tomato paste. Cook 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in sauce mixture in small splashes, stirring continuously. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer while pasta cooks.
- Gradually stir in cheddar cheese until melted (reserve some for topping if desired).
- Return beef and onions to sauce, then stir in cooked macaroni. Mix well.
- If desired, sprinkle remaining cheese on top, cover, and let melt before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese from a block for best melting.
- Make sure the sauce base isn’t too hot when adding cheese to avoid grainy texture.
- Other pasta shapes like shells, rotini, or bowties work well too.
- For extra saucy pasta, use slightly less than ½ lb. pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 509 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
Keywords: beefaroni, homemade beefaroni, cheesy pasta with beef