Description
A comforting and easy homemade one pot Beefaroni recipe combining ground beef, ziti pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, finished with creamy heavy cream for a hearty meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
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 (your favorite kind)
- 8 oz ziti pasta (or elbows, penne, or shells)
- 2.5 cups beef broth
Seasonings and Dairy
- 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
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic over medium heat until the beef is fully cooked and onions are softened. Drain any excess grease.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Combine Sauce and Seasonings: Add the 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients well.
- Add Pasta and Broth: Stir in 8 oz of ziti pasta and 2.5 cups of beef broth, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Heavy Cream: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and adjust seasoning as needed. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Final Seasoning: Taste and add any extra salt or pepper if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Double the recipe when feeding a crowd; it scales well without losing flavor.
- Substitute ziti pasta with elbows, rotini, or penne pasta varieties as desired.
- For extra vegetables, stir in frozen peas or corn during the simmering step.
- If beef broth is unavailable, chicken broth or water with bouillon can be used as alternatives.
- For a cheesy finish, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese on top before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
