One Pan Homemade Beefaroni Recipe With Ground Beef

Beefaroni is a simple, one pan, hearty dinner recipe packed with ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich tomato sauce base that cooks all together in just one pan! Perfect for busy weeknights that the whole family can get excited about. 

Easy Beefaroni Recipe

This one pan Beefaroni recipe is similar to a Homemade Hamburger Helper but without cheese. Instead it’s a ground beef meat sauce with dried seasonings, a plain tomato sauce, and tender ziti pasta noodles that all cook together in one skillet on the stove top. 

It really is one of those easy meals that is perfect for family dinner – because not only does everything cook in one pot, but it’s also great comfort food that is simple to make and it makes for really great leftovers too. 

How To Make Homemade Beefaroni Recipe (Printable Full Recipe Card)

In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble the ground beef, onion, and garlic until the meat has browned. Drain any excess grease from the pan. 

Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and stir well until all the meat is coated. Cook for an additional 1 minute. 

Mix in the beef broth, uncooked ziti pasta, and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil. 

Once boiling cover the skillet with a lid, and reduce the heat to medium, and let simmer for 12-14 minutes or until most the liquid is absorbed and the ziti is tender to your preference. 

How To Store Leftover Beefaroni

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual portions for 45-60 seconds intervals, stirring after each, until heated through. Lay a piece of paper towel over the plate as the sauce can pop and splatter when being reheated. 

I don’t recommend freezing leftovers, as the pasta will have an odd texture once frozen and thawed, but if you wan to then you certainly can. Once leftovers are completely cooled, place them in a large freezer-safe Ziploc or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. 

Substitutions & Ingredient Notes

• Ground Beef : I use 93/7 lean ground beef but you could also use a fattier ground beef, or try using ground turkey or even ground chicken. 
• Onion : Pick from a white onion, yellow onion, or sweet vidalia onion. Yellow onions and sweet onions have the most mild flavor, so I usually always cook with those ones. 
• Beef Broth : You could also use beef stock or beef bone broth. If you are sensitive to sodium or want to reduce the sodium due to dietary needs or restrictions, then be sure and use the lower-sodium versions. I love the Kettle Fire brand beef bone broth. 
• Ziti Noodles : For alternative options, choose from penne, shell pasta, or elbow macaroni noodles. 

I always serve this ground beef Beefaroni with some Cheesy Garlic Bread and a fresh green salad on the side

Recipe FAQs

Do I Need To Cook The Pasta Before Adding It In?

No, this recipe is designed to cook the pasta in the sauce with the meat so it soaks up all the delicious flavors as it simmers. Add the dry, uncooked pasta into the skillet pan. 

If I Wanted To Add Cheese, What Would Be Best To Use?

​My family prefers this recipe without cheese and I always serve it with cheesy garlic bread on the side. However, if you want to add cheese, you certainly can. Use shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella, provolone, or smoked Gouda. You could shred cheese and stir it in or cut sliced cheese into chunks and stir those in until melted. 

How Lean Should I Get The Ground Beef?

For this one pot dinner, you can use 85/15, 90/10, or 93/7. Either will work as it will simmer in the sauce and soak up flavor as well. Just note that the higher fat content, the more grease you will need to drain off from the skillet after cooking and crumbling the ground beef.

More One Pot Dinner Recipes

• One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
• One Pot Cheesy Taco Rice
• One Pot Chicken and Noodles
• Easy One Pot Queso Chicken and Rice
• One Pan Chicken Teriyaki
• Apricot Chicken (Easy One Pan Recipe)