This Easy Homemade Beefaroni is loaded with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy tomato sauce that’s creamy, comforting, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
If you grew up eating Beefaroni, this recipe is going to bring back all the nostalgia! This time with a homemade twist that tastes so much better. It’s packed with seasoned ground beef, plenty of melty cheddar cheese, and a rich tomato sauce that’s perfectly creamy without being heavy. Every bite is loaded with flavor, making it the ultimate weeknight dinner.
The best part? Everything comes together in one skillet (aside from boiling the pasta), making cleanup easy. It’s budget-friendly, kid-approved, and ready in about 30 minutes, which means it’s perfect for those busy nights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Better than the boxed or canned version. Fresh ingredients make all the difference.
- Easy to make. Simple pantry staples come together in about 30 minutes.
- Creamy and cheesy. The cheddar melts into the sauce for the perfect texture.
- Great for leftovers. It reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
- Family-friendly. Even picky eaters love this one.
Ingredients
Heres everything you'll need to make this delicious dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil - Just enough to cook the onions and beef without sticking.
- Ground Beef - The hearty base of the recipe that makes it filling and satisfying.
- Onion — Adds sweetness and flavor as it cooks down.
- Salt - Enhances all of the flavors.
- Black Pepper - Adds a mild kick.
- Garlic Powder — Gives the sauce a rich garlic flavor without overpowering it.
- Italian Seasoning - Adds classic Italian herbs that pair perfectly with the tomato sauce.
- Beef Bouillon - The secret ingredient that gives the beef an extra savory, rich flavor.
- Butter — Creates the base for the roux and makes the sauce silky.
- Flour - Thickens the sauce.
- Tomato Paste - Adds deep tomato flavor and richness.
- Beef Broth - Builds a flavorful sauce.
- Tomato Sauce — Gives the Beefaroni its classic tomato base.
- Heavy Cream - Balances the acidity of the tomatoes while making the sauce rich and creamy.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Melts into the sauce and makes it irresistibly cheesy.
- Cooked Ziti Pasta - Holds onto the sauce perfectly while making every bite hearty.
How To Make It
Heres how to make make this delicious pasta. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Season the beef with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and beef bouillon. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Stir in the flour and tomato paste. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste and caramelize the tomato paste.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking until smooth. Stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning if needed.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese in batches until completely melted and smooth. Fold in the cooked ziti until every piece is coated in the cheesy beef sauce. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Shred your own cheddar cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
- Don’t skip cooking the tomato paste! It develops a much richer flavor.
- Slightly undercook the pasta so it finishes cooking in the sauce.
- Taste the sauce before adding the cheese so you can adjust the seasoning.
- A splash of pasta water helps create a silky sauce that clings to every noodle.
Variations
- Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Add diced bell peppers with the onions.
- Stir in mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Mix in mozzarella along with the cheddar for an extra cheesy version.
What to Serve With It
This Easy Homemade Beefaroni is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it pairs perfectly with Garlic Bread, cheesy breadsticks, a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or steamed green beans. It’s also a great addition to any casual family dinner alongside your favorite vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth, milk, or water to loosen the sauce.
You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Other Easy Pasta Recipes
There's nothing better than a big bowl of comfort food! I've rounded up all my Best Pasta Recipes so you can find them easily in one place.
Easy Homemade Beefaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Onion, diced
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- ½ Tbs Garlic Powder
- ½ Tbs Onion Powder
- 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tbs Beef Bullion
- 3 Tbs Butter
- 2 Tbs Flour
- 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
- 1.5 Cups Beef Broth
- 1 Cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream, room temperature
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
- 1 Pound Ziti, cooked in salted water
- Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Season the beef with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and beef bouillon. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
- Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Stir in the flour and tomato paste. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, to remove the raw flour taste and caramelize the tomato paste.
- Slowly pour in the beef broth while whisking until smooth. Stir in the tomato sauce and heavy cream. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning if needed.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese in batches until completely melted and smooth.
- Fold in the cooked ziti until every piece is coated in the cheesy beef sauce. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Video
Other Easy Ground Beef Recipes
If you like super easy to make recipes that use ground beef just like this one, you have to try this Ground Beef Stroganoff, Beef Lombardi Casserole and Crockpot Beef and Noodles.
Al Dente Diva says
Hi Jena! I’m so so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for giving it a try and for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it!
Jena says
This was absolutely amazing! My family devoured it. I wanted more meat, so i added an extra pound. I also added 0.5 more in seasonings and doubled the liquids and cheese to compensate. My sister already wants me to make more.