Description
One Pot Beefaroni is a hearty and comforting pasta dish that combines ground beef, savory tomato sauce, and tender elbow macaroni, all cooked together in a single pot for an easy and delicious weeknight meal. Finished with melted cheese and fresh parsley, this recipe offers rich flavors and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or any small pasta
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Stir in the tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Add pasta and combine: Pour in the elbow macaroni and stir everything together so the pasta is evenly distributed in the sauce mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, approximately 15 minutes.
- Incorporate cheese: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top and serve hot for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Use either elbow macaroni or any small pasta shape you prefer, but cooking times may vary slightly.
- For a spicier dish, increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- Drain the ground beef fat thoroughly to reduce greasiness and improve flavor.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
