One Pot Beefaroni

Introduction

One Pot Beefaroni is your ultimate answer to comfort food that comes together with minimal effort and cleanup. Bursting with savory flavors, this family favorite brings together tender pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a perfectly rich tomato sauce—all cooked in a single pot. It’s a satisfying and budget-friendly weeknight recipe that will quickly find its place in your meal rotation.

Deliciously Simple One Pot Beefaroni

What sets this Beefaroni apart is its remarkable simplicity and comfort factor. With pantry staples and just one pot, you’ll achieve layers of hearty, cheesy goodness without spending hours in the kitchen. Its crowd-pleasing, nostalgic flavor makes it perfect for feeding picky eaters or bringing to potlucks.

Crafting the Signature Beefaroni Sauce

The magic begins by browning ground beef and warming aromatics in one pot, followed by adding tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and common Italian seasonings. A splash of beef broth helps the macaroni simmer to al dente perfection, soaking up all the savory flavors. Stir in shredded cheese at the end for that creamy, irresistible finish.

Easy One Pot Assembly

This dish shines in its simplicity: everything cooks together, so flavors meld beautifully while you save time and effort. Just brown the meat, toss in the seasonings and liquids, stir in the uncooked macaroni, and cover the pot. Let everything bubble gently until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens. Add cheese, stir, and enjoy your ultra-comforting one pot meal!

Serving Suggestions for a Standout One Pot Beefaroni

Serve piping hot Beefaroni with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and an extra dusting of parmesan cheese. Pair it with a crisp green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and balanced meal. Leftovers reheat well, making for easy next-day lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 generous portions. One serving averages about 430 calories, with a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat. For lighter fare, use leaner beef and reduced-fat cheese—without sacrificing flavor.

Deliciously Simple One Pot Beefaroni (Recap)

One Pot Beefaroni brings old-school comfort and weeknight ease together in one delicious meal, offering hearty pasta, savory beef, and luscious sauce—all in under 40 minutes and with minimal dishes.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5–6 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with liquid), Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 12–14 minutes, or until pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and grated parmesan if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a meal prep superstar—easy to make ahead and perfect for batch cooking. Save and schedule this recipe to seamlessly plan dinners, create precise shopping lists, and coordinate multiple meals for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across all your planned recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery section for stress-free shopping
• Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Makes weekly meal prep and planning streamlined and efficient

Pro tip: If you’re making Beefaroni and another recipe that uses onion or cheese, schedule your recipes to see exactly how much you need—saving you time, money, and minimizing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes