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One Pot Beefaroni Recipe

4.7 from 66 reviews

One Pot Beefaroni is a comforting and easy-to-make classic American dish featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a savory tomato-based sauce all cooked together in a single pot. This hearty meal combines the rich flavors of browned beef and Italian seasonings with tender pasta, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta and Sauce

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth or water
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional

  • 1 cup shredded cheese (such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Italian blend)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef and Aromatics: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the beef is fully browned and the onions become translucent, creating a savory flavor base for your dish.
  2. Add Liquid and Pasta: Pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth or water, then sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir everything together to combine. Add the elbow macaroni, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid mixture. Bring the pot to a gentle boil.
  3. Simmer Until Pasta is Tender: Reduce the heat to low to simmer the mixture. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta will absorb the sauce and liquids, becoming tender and flavorful.
  4. Finish with Cheese (Optional): Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the shredded cheese if using. Allow the cheese to melt smoothly into the beefaroni for extra creaminess and richness before serving.

Notes

  • You can use beef broth or water, but beef broth adds more depth of flavor.
  • Adjust the seasoning by adding salt and pepper to taste after cooking.
  • Feel free to swap elbow macaroni for other pasta types like penne or shells.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.
  • This recipe can be doubled for larger servings but increase simmering time slightly to ensure pasta cooks through.

Keywords: one pot, beefaroni, ground beef pasta, easy dinner, kid-friendly recipe, stovetop meal