Easy Homemade Beefaroni

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This 6-ingredient homemade beefaroni recipe is a one-dish meal that is ready in just 20 minutes! It’s a simple recipe for busy school nights or as a freezer meal. Leftovers can also be taken for lunch the next day.

top view of macaroni noodles and ground beef mixed in tomato sauce

Beefaroni is a classic recipe that is so easy to make that it has become my go-to recipe that the whole family enjoys. I’m able to brown the meat, add everything to the pot, and walk away for 20 minutes.

This is one of those fast dinner ideas that are great when trying to get everything else done!

Serve it with a Simple Pear Salad With Pomegranate And Walnuts or Honey Glazed Carrots for a full meal!

What Is Another Name For Beefaroni?

Another name for beefaroni is American Goulash. American Goulash is very similar but it often has more tomato sauce, and more vegetables and usually includes beef broth to give it a soupier consistency.

With this homemade beefaroni recipe, we add the uncooked noodles to the ground beef mixture and let it cook in the sauce. With goulash, you typically add already cooked elbow noodles to the dish.

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Easy Beefaroni Recipe

Beefaroni is a dish that the entire family will enjoy! This homemade version is so much healthier than the canned stuff that we all loved as kids, but it is still quick and easy to make.

The best part about this dish (aside from the fact that the kids will eat it) is that you can make it as simple or as fancy as you desire. Add some chili powder and dairy-free shredded cheese to really dress it up. Here are some other ideas that you can try to make this beefaroni recipe your own!

Switch up the protein – Try ground beef, ground turkey, or even ground bison
Add some dairy free cheddar cheese – You can sprinkle some df shredded cheese over the top of macaroni noodles and cover it until the cheddar cheese is melted
Try a different pasta – From chickpea pasta to gluten-free pasta, any type of pasta will work in this dish
Use a variety of noodle shapes – The noodle should be able to hold a sauce. Some good options are elbow macaroni noodles, cavatappi, spirals and gemelli.
Add Spices and Herbs – Garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder, oregano, basil or even thyme. Fresh garlic would be good as well.
Use any vegetables you have on hand – zucchini, bell pepper, onions, shredded carrots or even
Add Fresh Garlic – Saute the garlic with the onions

a bowl of pasta mixed with cooked ground beef and red tomato sauce. I's in a white bowl and only the top half of the bowl is in the picture

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR HOMEMADE BEEFARONI

Ground Beef – lean ground beef is preferred
Plain Tomato Sauce – I use the Costco cans. If you can’t find 15-ounce cans, you can substitute 2 – 8oz cans. Crushed tomatoes or canned tomatoes will also work but the sauce may not be as thick.
Shredded Zucchini – This is a good way to use up all that zucchini!
Water
Chickpea noodles – or noodles of your choice
Worcestershire – I won’t admit how many times it took to spell that correctly! This is optional but highly recommended.
Salt and Pepper

How to Make Homemade Beefaroni

top view of ground beef in a pot — Add olive oil to a medium pot or large skillet and brown ground beef

top view of cooked ground beef in a pot — Add the Worcestershire sauce and mix

top view of cooked ground beef, tomato sauce, shredded zucchini and worsershire sauce in a pot — Add the tomato sauce, shredded zucchini and water to the pot and mix well

top view of uncooked spiral noodles in a pot on top of ground beef that has been cooked with tomato sauce — Add the uncooked noodles to the pot and mix until coated. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Then drop the heat and simmer

Tips and Tricks

As the noodles are cooking, stir occasionally to ensure the bottom isn’t burning. If needed, add more water while cooking.
Tomato sauce has more salt than tomato paste or canned tomatoes. If you choose to substitute the tomato sauce, be sure to taste the dish before serving. You may need to add more salt than expected.
If you have leftover meat sauce from a previous dinner, you can add a can of tomato sauce and then add the noodles. Cook per the instructions in this recipe.

side view of spiral noodles and ground been in a silver serving spoon

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Beefaroni

Can you freeze beefaroni?

Yes you can! Let it cool completely before freezing and store it in an air tight container. When you are ready to eat it, defrost it in the fridge or microwave and heat it up until warm.

Can I bake it instead?

This recipe is best done on the stovetop since it will save you time and will cut back on dishes. If you want to serve it to a crowd, you can place the cooked beefaroni in a casserole dish and top it with dairy free shredded cheddar cheese. Then put it in the oven under the broiler, just until the cheese is melted. Yum!

Will the kids eat homemade beefaroni?

They sure will! This is a comfort food that everyone in the family will enjoy – kids included.

Are chickpea noodles healthy?

They are a great alternative to wheat pasta since they have more fiber and protein. I like that even a small bowl will fill you up alot more than regular pasta will.

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