Easy Cheesy Classic Beefaroni Recipe Everyone Will Love

Comfort food lovers rejoice as this classic beefaroni recipe brings nostalgic memories rushing back to the dinner table.

Pasta and ground beef mingle in a hearty sauce that promises pure satisfaction.

Every bite screams home-cooked goodness with its rich tomato-based mixture.

Kids and adults alike will devour this simple yet delicious meal in minutes.

The blend of tender pasta and seasoned meat creates a perfect weeknight dinner solution.

Warm, filling, and packed with flavor, this beefaroni delivers a satisfying meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Get ready to savor a timeless dish that never goes out of style.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 5

Classic Beefaroni: Ingredients You’ll Need

• Elbow Macaroni: Provides hearty foundation, choose high-quality pasta for best texture and authentic comfort food feel.
• Ground Beef: Delivers rich protein, select lean ground beef for healthier version with balanced flavor.

• Onion, Garlic: Creates aromatic base, pick fresh firm onions and firm garlic cloves for maximum flavor punch.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Builds robust sauce depth, choose ripe, vine-ripened tomato products for vibrant taste.
• Oregano, Basil: Introduces classic Italian herb notes, use fresh herbs when possible for brighter taste profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning, select sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for clean flavor boost.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Provides creamy, melty topping, opt for freshly shredded cheese for superior melting quality.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright garnish, select crisp green parsley for visual appeal and subtle herbal note.

Serving Classic Beefaroni Comfort-Style

• Comfort Meal Magic: Pair this classic beefaroni with a simple green salad to add freshness and balance the rich, hearty flavors of the dish.
• Side Dish Delight: Serve warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and complete the meal.
• Kid-Friendly Plating: Cut the baked beefaroni into smaller portions and sprinkle extra cheese on top to make it more appealing for children.
• Leftover Love: Store any remaining beefaroni in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick lunch or dinner the next day.

Storage & Reheat Tips for Beefaroni

• Maximize Meal Freshness: Keep your Classic Beefaroni delightful with smart storage strategies.
• Store Safely: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain quality and prevent bacterial growth.
• Extend Enjoyment: Refrigerated Beefaroni stays tasty for 3-4 days when sealed properly, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinner reruns.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Portion the dish into freezer-safe containers, where it will remain delicious for up to 3 months, ready to thaw and enjoy on busy nights.

Tools for Cooking Classic Beefaroni

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and cooking sauce.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for breaking up ground beef and stirring ingredients.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta thoroughly.
• Baking Dish: Crucial for baking the beefaroni and melting cheese.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients.
• Cheese Grater: Useful if using block mozzarella for fresh shredding.
• Cutting Board: For chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise ingredient preparation.

How to Prepare Classic Beefaroni at Home

• Oven Preparation Kitchen Warmup

Set your oven to toasty mode around 375 degrees, creating the perfect cozy environment for delicious comfort food.

• Pasta Foundation

Boil those elbow noodles until they’re soft and happy, then let them rest while you craft the meaty magic.

• Beef Symphony

Brown ground beef in a spacious skillet, breaking it into delectable crumbles that promise rich flavor.

• Aromatic Awakening

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and release their mouth-watering essence until the onions become translucent and fragrant.

• Sauce Celebration

Pour in juicy tomatoes, rich tomato sauce, and a dollop of tomato paste. Sprinkle in herbs that whisper of Italian countryside – oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper, then let everything simmer and mingle for a few delightful minutes.

• Pasta and Meat Marriage

Gently fold your cooked noodles into the robust sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Cheesy Crown

Transfer this delightful mixture to a welcoming baking dish and blanket it with a generous layer of melty mozzarella.

• Final Transformation

Slide your creation into the waiting oven and bake until the cheese becomes a golden, bubbly masterpiece.

• Serving Joy

Pull out your steaming dish and serve immediately, optional fresh parsley adding a bright finishing touch.

Tips to Elevate Traditional Beefaroni

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter twist.
• Experiment with cheddar, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses to create unique flavor profiles.
• Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the meat sauce for added texture and vitamins.
• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

Hearty Beefaroni Recipe

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• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian-American Beefaroni combines ground beef and pasta in a comforting childhood favorite. Home cooks can quickly prepare this nostalgic dish with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453 g) ground beef
• 2 cups (473 ml) elbow macaroni
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and position rack in the center for even heating.
2. Pasta Foundation: Cook elbow macaroni in generously salted water until al dente, drain thoroughly and set aside, allowing residual moisture to evaporate.
3. Meat Transformation: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef, methodically breaking it into fine crumbles while developing a rich, caramelized exterior. Incorporate finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
4. Sauce Composition: Introduce diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the meat mixture. Season with dried oregano, basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 6-8 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Assembly and Baking: Fold cooked macaroni into the robust meat sauce, ensuring complete and even coating. Transfer to a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading mixture uniformly. Blanket the surface with shredded mozzarella cheese, creating a tempting golden layer.
6. Final Touches: Bake for 22-26 minutes until cheese becomes bubbly and slightly golden. Rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook macaroni al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure a satisfying texture that holds up in the sauce.
• Meat Browning Technique: Cook ground beef on medium-high heat, breaking into small pieces for maximum caramelization and flavor development.
• Sauce Simmering Secret: Allow sauce to simmer slowly, giving herbs and tomatoes time to blend and intensify their rich, complex flavors.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Sprinkle cheese evenly and bake until golden and bubbly for a crispy, irresistible top layer that adds creamy richness to the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg