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Avatar photoErin Clark

One Pot Beefaroni

One Pot Beefaroni is a quick, classic comfort dish featuring ground beef and elbow macaroni in a savory tomato sauce. Since everything cooks in a single pot, it minimizes cleanup while delivering a hearty, cheesy meal in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth or water
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (optional, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or Italian blend)

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven for one-pot cooking

Method
 

  1. 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 are translucent.
  2. Pour in the tomato sauce, beef broth (or water), and sprinkle in the Italian seasoning. Stir to combine thoroughly. Then, add the elbow macaroni, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer.
  3. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The pasta will absorb the liquid and cook to tender perfection. Check the pasta for doneness 2 minutes before the time is up to avoid overcooking.
  4. Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, stir in the shredded cheese, if using. Allow it to melt smoothly into the beefaroni for added creaminess and richness.

Notes

Stir frequently while simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking. If the dish becomes too dry while cooking, add a splash of extra beef broth or water. You can customize the dish by adding diced vegetables (like bell peppers or mushrooms) after browning the beef. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days, adding liquid when reheating to restore moisture.