Description
This Homemade One Pot Beefaroni is a hearty and comforting meal that combines ground beef, ziti pasta, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce all cooked together in one pot. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s flavorful, easy to make, and requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce
- 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
Pasta and Liquids
- 8 oz ziti pasta (or elbows, penne, or shells)
- 2.5 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic over medium-high heat until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain any excess grease.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Combine sauce and seasonings: Add the spaghetti sauce along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir to combine well.
- Add pasta and broth: Pour in the ziti pasta and beef broth, ensuring the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Simmer pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with cream: Stir in the heavy cream and adjust seasoning to taste. Let the mixture simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Final seasoning: Taste and add extra salt and pepper if needed before serving.
Notes
- Double the recipe easily to serve a larger crowd.
- Swap ziti pasta with elbows, rotini, or penne depending on preference.
- Add frozen peas or corn for extra vegetables and color.
- Use chicken broth or water with bouillon if beef broth is not available.
- For a cheesy finish, sprinkle shredded mozzarella or cheddar on top before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
