Description
A comforting and easy homemade one pot beefaroni recipe featuring ground beef, ziti pasta, and rich tomato sauce simmered together with a touch of creamy heavy cream for a delicious, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 1 Yellow Onion, Diced
- 4-5 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 24 oz Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
- 8 oz Ziti Pasta
- 2.5 cups Beef Broth
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
Finishing Ingredient
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Aromatics: In a large pot, brown the ground beef with diced yellow onion and minced garlic until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease from the pot.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the jar of spaghetti sauce along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir everything together thoroughly.
- Add Pasta and Broth: Add the ziti pasta and beef broth to the pot, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Simmer Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in Heavy Cream: After the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Thicken Sauce: Let the beefaroni simmer uncovered for another 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and blend flavors.
Notes
- Double the recipe to serve a larger crowd; it scales well without losing flavor.
- Substitute ziti pasta with elbows, penne, or rotini if desired.
- Add frozen peas or corn during simmering for extra vegetables.
- If beef broth is unavailable, chicken broth or water with bouillon can be used as a substitute.
- For a cheesy touch, top with shredded mozzarella or cheddar before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or microwave adding a splash of broth or water to loosen, if necessary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
