Skip the box; this homemade hamburger helper recipe is ready in about 30 minutes!
Ground beef and pasta are simmered in rich cheesy sauce for an easy one-pan meal.
Ingredients in Hamburger Helper
Hamburger helper is an easy recipe and this homemade version uses simple pantry ingredients. It’s budget-friendly and reheats well so double up for easy meals throughout the week.
Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef (80/20) for the best flavor and drain any fat after cooking. If using ground turkey or ground chicken; add additional seasoning as needed.
Pasta – Choose small to medium size pasta like shells, elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini. Depending on the type of pasta, you may need a little bit more or less broth and/or cooking time.
Liquid – Broth and tomato paste add flavor while milk makes it creamy. Replace beef broth with chicken broth if needed.
Seasonings – I add chili powder and onion powder. Feel free to add some garlic powder, taco seasoning, or Italian herbs to make your own version of hamburger helper.
Cheese – Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor (pre-shredded works just fine in this recipe).
Variations and Additions
- Cook fresh onions and/or garlic when browning the beef.
- Stir in fresh veggies like diced celery, chopped tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms.
- Stir in ½ cup of heavy cream in place of some of the milk for added richness.
- Stir in ½ cup of sour cream after removing from the heat for a little tang.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
This is a homemade versoin of a childhood favorite and is loved by kids and adults alike!
- Brown the beef in a deep skillet or Dutch oven per the recipe below.
- Add the sauce ingredients and dry pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in cheese cheese.
Leftover Hamburger Helper
- Keep leftover hamburger helper in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Leftovers can be stored in the freezer for 4 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
One Pot Wonders
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Homemade Hamburger Helper
This easy cheesy family favorite is a one-pot meal with tender pasta and ground beef in a rich zesty sauce.
In a 12-inch skillet, cook the ground beef over medium high heat until no pink remains while breaking up with a spoon. Drain any fat.
Add the 1 ¾ cups beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Bring to a boil.
Add the pasta and cover. Reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Uncover and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes or until the pasta is tender, adding more liquid as needed.
Remove from the heat and rest uncovered for 5 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
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- Additional seasonings such as paprika can be added.
- Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
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- Depending on the type of pasta, you may need extra broth or cooking time.
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- Remove from the heat before adding cheese.
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- The sauce will thicken as it rests.
Calories: 532 | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 1096mg | Potassium: 1071mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 812IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 309mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Pasta
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