Description
Nostalgic comfort meets Italian-American charm in this Classic Beefaroni, combining hearty ground beef and tender pasta with a rich, zesty tomato sauce. Homemade goodness brings childhood memories right to your dinner table, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef
Pasta:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) elbow macaroni
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, finely 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
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a welcoming environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until perfectly tender, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain and set aside in a separate bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef, breaking it into small, uniform crumbles as it browns and develops a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant, releasing their sweet aromatics.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, creating a robust sauce base. Sprinkle in dried oregano, basil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, allowing the herbs to meld and intensify the flavor profile.
- Let the sauce simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, allowing the ingredients to marry and develop a deep, harmonious taste.
- Combine the cooked macaroni with the beef and sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is generously coated with the savory mixture.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a consistent layer.
- Generously scatter shredded mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a blanket of melty, golden goodness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, until the cheese becomes bubbly, slightly golden, and irresistibly appetizing.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot, optionally garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of brightness.
Notes
- Quick weeknight meal that combines the comfort of pasta with hearty ground beef in a zesty tomato sauce.
- Easily customizable dish that allows substitution of ground beef with turkey or plant-based alternatives for varied dietary preferences.
- Cheese creates a golden, bubbly topping that transforms this classic recipe from simple to spectacular.
- Simmering sauce concentrates flavors and helps develop a rich, deep taste profile that makes every bite delicious.
- Prep and cooking time is under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy families wanting a satisfying home-cooked meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg