Beefaroni is a tasty combination of browned ground beef, onion, garlic, and macaroni noodles in a tomato base seasoned with paprika and chili powder, all smothered in melted cheddar cheese. Both adults and kids love this comfort food. It comes together both quickly and easily, making it doable on busy weeknights. Serve this dish with a simple garden salad or a bowl of cheesy cauliflower soup or tomato bisque soup.
How to make Beefaroni
First, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the elbow macaroni noodles and cook al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta well.
Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and dried oregano. Cook for one minute while stirring constantly.
Then, stir in the tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire Sauce, and mustard. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes to let all the flavors co-mingle. Add the cooked, drained elbow macaroni to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Use ground beef with a bit of fat in it. The fat is what gives it flavor and juiciness and makes it tender.
- Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken.
- If you do not have smoked paprika, you can use sweet paprika. However, I do encourage you to keep smoked paprika on hand, as it has a unique smokey flavor that is so good in beef birria and ropa vieja.
- Any short pasta will work with this recipe, like small shells, cavatappi, wheels, rotini, or penne.
- Use a good quality cheddar cheese block and grate it yourself. I really liked Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Storage and Reheat
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
- To freeze, first cool completely, then spoon the mixtures into sturdy freeze containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
What to serve with Beefaroni
- Simple Garden Salad
- Minestrone Soup
- Garlic Bread
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
- Dinner Rolls
- Sauteed Asparagus
- Creamed Corn
- Buttered Peas
More Ground Beef Recipes
Easy Homemade Beefaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni 2 cups
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook al dente according to package directions. Drain the pasta well.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef. When the ground beef is about halfway browned, add the onion. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is tender.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and dried oregano. Cook for one minute while stirring constantly.
- Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire Sauce, and mustard. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cooked, drained elbow macaroni to the skillet. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
Notes
- Use ground beef with a little fat in it. The fat is what gives it flavor and juiciness and makes it tender.
- Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken.
- If you do not have smoked paprika, you can use sweet paprika. However, I do encourage you to keep smoked paprika on hand, as it has a unique smokey flavor that is so good in beef birria and ropa vieja.
- Any short pasta will work with this recipe, like small shells, cavatappi, wheels, rotini, or penne.
- Use a good quality cheddar cheese block and grate it yourself. I really liked Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Nutrition
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adriana
What a great, weeknight meal! Easy, delicious, and hearty! Thanks for sharing!
Jupiter
I remember eating canned beefaroni as a kid, but this looks so much better. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Harris
This recipe was so yummy and it reminded me of those great dishes my mom made when I was young. They were hearty, delicious, and cheesy. Thanks for putting this awesome recipe together.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Harris!
Elizabeth Williams
Great beefaroni recipe. A new family favorite that is easy on the budget. Thanks, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Elizabeth!
Catalina
Great beefaroni recipe. We loved it and it brought back many memories.
Rose
My kids loved this! So quick and easy to make too! We will be making this often. Thanks for the recipe, Beth.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rose! I am so glad that the kids liked it.
Karen
I never had beefaroni!!! I love trying out and cooking new recipes…I am so excited about it…looks delicious!!!
Tanya Mchorgh
Beefaroni perfection! 🍝✨ We loved it! This recipe delivers a delightful blend of savory ground beef, aromatic onions, and macaroni noodles bathed in a flavorful tomato sauce, all crowned with melted cheddar. Quick, easy, and a hit with both adults and kids. Pair it with a garden salad or a cozy soup for a comforting meal! 😋🌟 #ComfortFood #FamilyFavorite
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Tanya! We love it too!
Lisa
This is comfort food at its best. Hearty, delicious, and easy to make and not to rough on my budget. We will make this again, thanks.
Marie
This beefaroni was very delicious and easy to make. It will be on regular rotation at our house.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marie! So glad that you enjoyed it!
Samantha Donnelly
Now this sounds like my kind of comfort food, I have been looking for new meal ideas and this sounds perfect
Yeah Lifestyle
This is a favourite with my kids. It is such a comforting meal with the ground beef and the macoroni together, it is very tasty!
Stephanie
I’m re-living my childhood just looking at this dish! I have to try this as it sounds so yummy and comforting.
Ben
BOOYAH! This is everything Beefaroni in a can or Hamburger Helper wishes they could be but just cant. Seriously, one of the best beef dishes I’ve made in a long time.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! It is a tasty dish!
Erin
This was delicious! The kids loved it and they are hard to please. I’m definitely making this, again!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erin!
Amanda
This was the perfect weeknight meal. It was easy, filling, and delicious.