Description
Homemade beefaroni delivers classic comfort with hearty ground beef and tender pasta in a rich tomato sauce. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this nostalgic dish perfect for weeknight dinners you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground beef
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) elbow macaroni
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Canned and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F, crumbling the meat into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sprinkle dried herbs and seasonings into the skillet, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and develop rich flavors for 10-12 minutes.
- Simultaneously prepare elbow macaroni in a separate pot, cooking until perfectly tender yet maintaining a slight firmness, then drain thoroughly.
- Integrate cooked pasta into the robust meat sauce, ensuring complete and even distribution of ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Generously crown the dish with shredded cheddar cheese, covering the skillet to create a melting environment that allows cheese to transform into a smooth, creamy layer.
- Remove from heat and let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes, enabling cheese to fully melt and flavors to harmonize before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Lean Protein Selection: Choose ground beef with 90% lean meat for a healthier version that reduces excess fat without compromising flavor.
- Cheese Melting Trick: Remove skillet from heat when adding cheese to prevent overcooking and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
- Pasta Cooking Tip: Slightly undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes during initial boiling since it will continue cooking when mixed with hot beef sauce.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a meat-free alternative that still delivers rich, satisfying taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg