Description
Classic homemade beefaroni elevates comfort food with hearty pasta and rich beef sauce. Families will savor each comforting bite of this nostalgic Italian-American favorite that brings warmth and deliciousness to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
Pasta:
- 12 oz (340g) elbow macaroni
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz/411g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Aromatics and Garnish:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by boiling in salted water until perfectly tender, ensuring a slight bite remains. Carefully drain and set aside in a separate bowl.
- In a spacious skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high flame, methodically crumbling the meat with a wooden spatula. Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
- Create a robust sauce by introducing tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth into the meat mixture. Enhance the flavor profile with Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting the ingredients meld and develop a rich, complex taste. The liquid should slightly reduce and thicken, concentrating the savory elements.
- Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the hearty meat sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is thoroughly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of sharp cheddar cheese across the top of the dish. Cover the skillet and let the cheese melt completely, creating a creamy, indulgent finish.
- Plate the beefaroni, optionally garnishing with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and added freshness. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by salting water generously and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, ensuring al dente texture that maintains slight firmness.
- Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and create a lighter, cleaner-tasting dish that won’t feel heavy.
- Enhance flavor complexity by using a mix of ground beef with different fat percentages or adding a splash of red wine during sauce simmering for deeper, richer taste profile.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular macaroni with chickpea or lentil pasta, which provides additional protein and maintains similar texture while accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 402
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg