Every so often, I break down and buy a few cans of spaghetti-Os or beefaroni for lunch. The kids enjoy it because it’s something different. Eric and I kind of enjoy it for the nostalgia of it, although eating is not as fun when you understand what’s actually in it.

I decided recently though that I wanted to see if I could duplicate the fun of beefaroni with a homemade substitute. It turned out great and the kids just love it! The taste is exactly the same as what you get from the can, but it is really good. I like to make this for lunch and it’s usually enough for two days worth for the 6 of us.

Homemade Beefaroni

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 14.5 oz cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 c. water
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 t. each garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning
• 1/4 t. black pepper
• 1 lb. cooked pasta (I used the new Barilla piccolini ziti, because of it’s closeness in shape to the traditional beefaroni noodles, but any shape would be fine.)

1. Brown ground beef in a sauce pan and drain. Stir in remaining ingredients, except the pasta. Simmer for about 10 minutes, to let the flavors combine.

2. Stir in the pasta until coated. Enjoy!

Stop by $5 Dinners for the $5 Dinner Challenge.