The Best Homemade Beefaroni Recipe That Kids Love

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty homemade beefaroni that brings nostalgic memories right to your dinner plate.

Pasta shapes dance with rich, savory ground beef in a robust tomato sauce crafted from scratch.

Childhood favorites often taste better when we create them ourselves, and this recipe proves exactly that point.

Kitchen experiments lead to delightful discoveries, especially when classic dishes get a personal touch.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical that feels both familiar and exciting.

Familiar yet fresh, this beefaroni promises to become a weekend staple you cannot wait to share with loved ones.

Grab a fork and prepare for a delicious journey through flavor and memory.

What Makes Homemade Beefaroni a Comfort Classic

• Craft a Homemade Comfort Meal: Whip up a delicious beefaroni that beats any store-bought version, giving you total control over ingredients and flavor.
• Quick and Simple Cooking: Master this recipe with basic cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks looking for a satisfying dinner solution.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Create a hearty dish that appeals to both kids and adults, guaranteeing clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Budget-Friendly Meal Option: Prepare a filling and nutritious dinner using affordable ingredients that stretch your grocery budget without compromising on taste.

Everything You’ll Need for Homemade Beefaroni Night

• Elbow Macaroni: A classic pasta shape that captures sauce perfectly and provides a hearty base for this comforting dish.
• Ground Beef: A protein-rich meat that adds robust flavor and substance to the homemade beefaroni.

• Onion, Garlic: These classic aromatics create a flavorful foundation and enhance the overall taste of the dish.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: These tomato products combine to create a rich, tangy sauce that coats the pasta and beef.
• Oregano, Basil: These dried herbs add classic Italian-inspired seasoning and depth to the sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the flavors of the entire dish.

• Mozzarella Cheese: A melty cheese that creates a golden, bubbly top layer and adds creamy richness to the beefaroni.

Cooking Homemade Beefaroni – Instructions for a Cozy Meal

Step 1: Boil Macaroni

Get a large pot and fill it with water.

Add a pinch of salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Drop the elbow macaroni into the bubbling water and cook until tender but still firm.

Once done, carefully drain the pasta in a colander and set it aside.

Step 2: Brown Beef and Aromatics

Heat a spacious skillet over medium flame.

Toss in the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.

Cook until the meat turns completely brown and develops a rich color.

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic

Stir and sauté until the onions become translucent and the garlic releases its fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Tomato paste

• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the sauce simmer and bubble gently, allowing the flavors to meld together for about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Merge Pasta and Sauce

Pour the cooked macaroni into the skillet with the meaty tomato sauce.

Gently mix everything together, ensuring each pasta piece gets coated with the delicious sauce.

Transfer the entire mixture into a greased baking dish.

Step 5: Bake and Cheese

Scatter shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the pasta.

Slide the baking dish into a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden blanket covering the beefaroni.

Ways to Elevate Homemade Beefaroni Flavor

• Cook macaroni just until al dente to prevent mushy texture and maintain a satisfying bite.
• Choose ground beef with lower fat content for a healthier dish without compromising flavor.
• Let the sauce develop rich flavors by allowing it to simmer slowly, which helps blend spices and tomato notes.
• Cover with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to prevent cheese from burning while ensuring even melting.
• Add a splash of red wine or a pinch of red pepper flakes to elevate the overall taste profile of the beefaroni.

Creative Beefaroni Takes – Family Favorites and More

• Vegetarian Beefaroni: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free macaroni and ensure all sauce ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Add diced green chilies, chili powder, and swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute macaroni with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.

How to Dish Out Homemade Beefaroni for Dinner

• Cozy Family Dinner Centerpiece: Make this beefaroni the star of your family meal, served hot and bubbling straight from the oven with its irresistible cheesy top.
• Hearty Lunch Companion: Pack leftovers in a sealed container for a delicious next-day lunch that reheats perfectly in the microwave, providing a comforting midday meal.
• Game Night Crowd-Pleaser: Serve this dish during sports events or movie nights as a satisfying, easy-to-share comfort food that keeps everyone happy and well-fed.
• Kid-Friendly Plate Partner: Pair with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to add nutrition and balance to this classic, crowd-pleasing pasta dish.

Storage Advice for Keeping Beefaroni Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer beefaroni to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and store for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing dishes with fresh cheese for best texture.
• Place a single serving in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through for even warming.

FAQs

• Is this dish kid-friendly?

Yes, beefaroni is a classic comfort food that most children love. It’s cheesy, meaty, and easy to eat, making it perfect for picky eaters.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works great in this recipe. Just make sure to season it well to maintain flavor.

• How can I make this recipe more nutritious?

Add extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to boost the nutritional value. You can mix them into the sauce or sprinkle on top before baking.

• What side dishes pair well with beefaroni?

A simple green salad or steamed vegetables complement this hearty dish perfectly. Garlic bread also makes an excellent side for soaking up the delicious sauce.

Homemade Beefaroni Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty homemade beefaroni brings classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Pasta twirls and rich beef sauce combine in a nostalgic meal that satisfies hungry families with simple, delicious ingredients you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Pasta:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare a pot of salted water and cook elbow macaroni until tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set pasta aside.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and cook ground beef until completely browned and no pink remains. Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
3. Create a robust sauce by introducing diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the skillet. Enhance the flavor profile with dried oregano, fresh basil, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld together harmoniously.
4. Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the meat sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is evenly coated. Transfer the combined mixture into a lightly greased baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
5. Generously distribute shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust and the edges become slightly crispy.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection Choose high-quality elbow macaroni and cook just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain a satisfying texture.
• Lean Meat Magic Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while keeping the dish flavorful and healthier.
• Cheese Variation Experiment with different cheese blends like cheddar or parmesan for a personalized taste profile that adds depth to the classic recipe.
• Make-Ahead Friendly Prepare the dish completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, making it an excellent meal prep option for busy families.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg