I’m gonna call it beefaroni anyway, because these names are just ridiculous:

The dish commonly sold as “Beefaroni” (a trademarked name owned by Conagra Brands) has several regional and generic names. Depending on where you are in the US, the most common non-trademarked names for this ground beef and macaroni tomato skillet are American Goulash, American Chop Suey, Slumgullion, or Johnny Marzetti. [1, 2, 3]

Right?

At any rate, I was hungry for it… and I am not a fan of the Chef Boyardee stuff/ (Sorry, Chef!) We would have this occasionally when I was growing up, and it’s a comfort meal I guess. It’s easy enough, and safe for the beef part these days, pretty economical.

Below is how I do it. How do you do it, & what do you call it?

Stuff yinz need:

• (1) 16 oz. box Cavatappi
• ~2½ lbs. ground beef
• (3) 10.75 oz. cans condensed tomato soup
• Seasonings:
  • (2) beef bouillon cubes
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • paprika
  • salt
  • pepper
  • Dash Table Blend
  • hamburger seasoning blend
  • Season All
  • Italian blend

How to do it:

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in a stock pot, ad the bouillon cubes, Italian blend, & Dash.
2. Brown the ground beef in your skillet, hit it will all those spices… or whatever you got or like. We don’t measure here. Season until you think it’s too much, then keep going a little bit.
3. Drop that Cavatappi or whatever pasta shape you dig into that water for 7 minutes or the recommended time on the box. Make sure you stir it up every once in a while.
4. Drain the pasta, leave a lil’ bit of pasta water, return it to the warm yet off burner.
5. Dump in the ground beef, the tomato soup, and stir like you practiced with the pasta.
6. Put it in a bowl and eat it.

Notes?

• Yeah, tomato soup! Not tomato sauce, pasta sauce, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, or any of that for me. This is cheap.
• Obviously if you would prefer any of that, do it.
• Sauteed onions, diced tomatoes, some type of beans, or even bell peppers would probably be great in this.
• This is a memory I’m not messing with though. I’m keeping it basic and cheap.

There you have it. I know it hit the spot for me.