Description
This One Pan Beefaroni is a hearty and comforting meal that combines ground beef, tomato sauce, tender mini penne pasta, and savory Italian seasoning all cooked together in a single pan. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that requires minimal cleanup while delivering maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Sauce and Pasta
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (32-ounce) box low-sodium beef broth
- 10 ounces mini penne pasta
Finishing Touches
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart using a spoon or spatula as it cooks until browned. Once fully cooked, season with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Add liquids and bring to boil: Pour in the tomato sauce and low-sodium beef broth into the pan with the beef mixture. Stir to combine all ingredients, then cover the pan with a lid. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add pasta and simmer: Once boiling, remove the lid and stir in the dry mini penne pasta. Adjust the heat to maintain a strong simmer — a gentle but steady bubbling. Cover is off and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Adjust heat as necessary to keep a strong simmer while pasta cooks through.
- Thicken sauce and finish: As the pasta cooks, the sauce will reduce and thicken. When the pasta is tender but the sauce is still slightly loose, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce further. Once combined and heated through, remove from heat.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally sprinkle chopped parsley over the beefaroni for a fresh touch. Serve hot and enjoy this easy, flavorful one-pan meal.
Notes
- Use a 12-inch skillet or large pan with a lid for best results.
- Stir frequently when simmering pasta to prevent sticking or burning on the pan bottom.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; add more salt or pepper if desired.
- Grated Parmesan cheese not only adds flavor but also helps thicken the sauce.
- For a leaner option, choose ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
