This grown up Instant Pot Beefaroni recipe is so comforting and hearty! Chuck roast is pressure cooked in a tomato sauce with lots of veggies until fall apart tender. Even the elbow noodles are cooked right in the pressure cooker! A one pan meal!

Instant Pot Beefaroni on a white plate with a silver spoon.
Kelley Simmons Kelley’s Tips

Before You Get Started

  • *Almost* the kid-friendly favorite you remember. Remember Beef a Roni from your childhood?! Well, I’ve updated it to have that iconic zesty, cozy, Italian food flavor but WAY better with wholesome ingredients.
  • I replaced the ground beef with chuck roast (or stewing beef). This plus adding lots of veggies AND red wine to deglaze the pot makes this homemade Beefaroni recipe not only super comforting but a little fancy, too!
  • Enjoy a little spice? Add a dash of hot sauce to heat things up in this Instant Pot Beefaroni!
Kelley
Beefaroni in an instant pot with a silver spoon.

Ingredients

  • Beef – Beefaroni in a can has ground beef, however, since I’m using the instant pot I went ahead and added chuck roast. It comes out super tender! It is what makes this dish fancy enough for a dinner party or Sunday dinner!
  • Oil – Any neutral-tasting oil will work! This is for sautéing the meat and vegetables.
  • Vegetables – Celery, onion, carrots, and garlic pack in a ton of nutrition!
  • Wine – To make this recipe even more robust I added some red wine. Any full-bodied red wine will be great like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or malbec.
  • Sauces and broth – Tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce add so much flavor and make sure the vegetables and meat are cooked to perfection.
  • Seasoning – I kept it simple with just bay leaves and Italian seasoning.
  • Macaroni – I prefer elbow macaroni because its curvy shape holds more of the sauce, but you can use regular macaroni, or another pasta like farfalle, Cavatappi or fusilli if desired.
  • Cheese – A sprinkle of grated parmesan is great for serving Instant Pot Beefaroni!

How to make Instant Pot Beefaroni

  1. Sauté: Turn on the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot. Add in oil and once it’s hot add in chuck roast in batches. Brown for 2 minutes on each side or until the outside gets a nice caramelization. Remove the beef from the instant pot and set it aside on a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef and set aside.
Cooked beef on a white plate.
  1. Add Vegetables: Next add the celery, onion, and carrots to the Instant Pot. Saute for 4 minutes. Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Vegetables in an instant pot.
  1. Add Wine: Add the red wine and scrape the brown bits (fond) off the bottom of the pot. Select CANCEL on the Instant Pot to turn off the SAUTE option.
Vegetables sautéing in an instant pot with metal tongs.
  1. Add Sauce and Cook: Add in tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and the beef back to the Instant Pot. Stir then cover the Instant Pot. Make sure the knob is set to seal not venting. Select HIGH pressure and cook for 45 minutes then allow the steam to naturally release before opening the lid.
A red sauce with bay leaves and spices in an instant pot.
  1. Add Pasta: Remove bay leaves. Stir in macaroni and cover the lid again. Set to pressure cook on HIGH for 3 minutes then allow the steam to naturally release on its own.
Adding macaroni to a sauce in an instant pot.
  1. Serve! Remove the lid and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish Instant Pot Beefaroni with fresh basil or parsley and grated parmesan for serving!
Beefaroni in an instant pot.

Serving Suggestions

Beefaroni on a white plate with a silver spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another name for Beefaroni?

Beefaroni is also called American Goulash or Slumgullion. It is an American pasta dish usually containing beef, macaroni pasta, tomatoes, and spices. It’s so comforting!

What is the meat in Beefaroni?

It’s not just a name, the meat in Beefaroni is (you guessed it) beef! It is often ground beef for this American goulash recipe, however, for Instant Pot Beefaroni I really like adding chuck roast instead to make it even heartier.

What is the difference between American and Hungarian Goulash?

While American goulash is a quick meal made with ground beef, tomato sauce, herbs, and elbow macaroni noodles, Hungarian goulash is a thick, spice-flavored stew of meat and vegetables. My version of Instant Pot Beefaroni contains the best parts of both recipes!

How long does homemade Beefaroni last?

Leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge. Easily reheat leftovers in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven until piping hot.

Beefaroni on a white plate with a silver spoon.

More Macaroni Recipes to Try

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    A close-up of a bowl of homemade beefaroni with chunky beef, tomato sauce, vegetables, and macaroni pasta, garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese.
    Recipe

    Instant Pot Beefaroni

    5 from 5 votes
    This grown up Instant Pot Beefaroni recipe is so comforting and hearty! Chuck roast is pressure cooked in a tomato sauce with lots of veggies until fall apart tender. Even the elbow noodles are cooked right in the pressure cooker! A one pan meal!
    Author: Kelley Simmons
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 55 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Serves 6
    Rate Print

    Ingredients 

    • 1 lb chuck roast, cubed
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 ribs celery, diced
    • 1 onion, diced
    • 2 carrots, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1/4 cup red wine
    • 24 ounces tomato sauce
    • 2 cups beef broth
    • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
    • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
    • parmesan cheese, for serving

    Instructions

    • Turn on the SAUTE function on the Instant Pot.
      Add in oil and once it's hot add in chuck roast in batches.
      Brown for 2 minutes on each side or until the outside gets a nice carmalization.
      Remove the beef from the instant pot and set aside on a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef and set aside.
      A white plate filled with cooked, browned beef cubes, piled in the center against a white background, perfect for dipping into rich Homemade Ranch.
    • Next add the celery, onion and carrots to the Instant Pot. Saute for 4 minutes.
      Add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
      Chopped carrots, celery, and onions are sautéing inside a stainless steel pot, likely as the base for a soup or stew recipe that would pair perfectly with a side of Homemade Ranch.
    • Add the red wine and scrap the brown bites (fond) off the bottom of the pot.
      Select CANCEL on the Instant Pot to turn off the SAUTE option.
      Chopped carrots, celery, and onions being sautéed in a pot with metal tongs, creating the perfect base for a comforting soup or stew to pair with a drizzle of homemade ranch.
    • Add in tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, Italian seasoning and the beef back to the Instant Pot.
      Stir then cover the Instant Pot. Make sure the knob is set to seal not venting.
      Select HIGH pressure and cook for 45 minutes then allow the steam to naturally release before opening the lid.
      Chopped vegetables, tomato sauce, dried herbs, and bay leaves simmer in an Instant Pot, forming the base of a comforting soup or stew—perfectly complemented by a swirl of Homemade Ranch for added flavor.
    • Remove bay leaves. Stir in macaroni and cover the lid again. Set to pressure cook on HIGH for 3 minutes then allow the steam to naturally release on it's own.
      Uncooked elbow macaroni sits on top of a red sauce with visible herbs and small chunks of vegetables in a metal pot, possibly an Instant Pot or pressure cooker—perfect for pairing with a drizzle of homemade ranch for added flavor.
    • Remove the lid and stir. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
      Serve with fresh basil or parsley and grated parmesan for serving!
      Macaroni pasta with beef and vegetables in a rich red sauce, this homemade beefaroni is perfectly cooked in an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker for a quick and satisfying meal.

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 22gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 1004mgPotassium: 930mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4000IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 4mg
    A close-up of a bowl of homemade beefaroni with chunky beef, tomato sauce, vegetables, and macaroni pasta, garnished with chopped parsley and grated cheese.

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