Description
One Pot Beefaroni is a quick and comforting one-pot meal combining savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato-based sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty dish delivers nostalgic flavors with minimal cleanup, and is easily adaptable to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or Parmesan)
- Red pepper flakes or hot sauce (for spice)
- Vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a pot over medium heat and add ground beef, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks until nicely browned with no pink left. This step releases rich flavors that form the base of the dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the browned beef and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. This layering of aroma amps up the savory depth.
- Add Liquid Ingredients: Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth, stirring everything together to combine the flavors and create the cooking liquid for the pasta.
- Stir in Pasta and Seasonings: Add the elbow macaroni, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the pot, making sure the pasta is submerged in liquid so it cooks evenly right inside the sauce.
- Simmer Until Pasta is Tender: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, typically about 12-15 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese: If using cheese, sprinkle it on top after the pasta cooks and stir gently until melted and creamy for that irresistible gooey finish.
Notes
- Use fresh onion and garlic for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente texture is ideal.
- Adjust broth quantity as needed depending on your pasta type and brand.
- Brown the beef well to add deep, roasted notes and avoid a greasy sauce.
- Let the dish rest covered for a few minutes after cooking to thicken and meld flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg