Easy homemade Hamburger Helper is so much better than the classic dish that Mom used to make with only all-natural ingredients. This delectable made-from-scratch cheesy recipe brings all the flavors of cheeseburgers into an easy one-pot meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes.
One Pot Cheesy Hamburger Helper
Craving some comforting Hamburger Helper but don’t want to use the boxed mix? Try this homemade version, which is quick, easy, and delicious. Perfect for a weeknight or busy weekend lunch. Unlike the boxed version, it has wholesome, good-for-you ingredients and no artificial anything. This is a must-try dish. If you like this easy recipe, try baked gnocchi, skillet lasagna, ravioli lasagna, and cheesy meatball casserole.
Ingredients Needed
How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Start by browning your ground beef in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. When the ground beef is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions and cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the paprika, crushed red pepper, low-sodium beef broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and pasta. Stir to combine the ingredients and to get the pasta down in the liquid. Bring the dish to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the pasta is tender, stirring several times.
Remove the dish from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- Use fairly lean ground beef for this recipe. Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken.
- Any small pasta will work in this recipe, including elbow macaroni, medium shells, bowtie pasta, egg noodles, rotini, or mini penne.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente. Mushy noodles break down when stirred and are not nearly as good.
- Use good quality sharp cheddar cheese and shred it yourself with the fine side of a box grater.
- Sometimes, I add fresh veggies like spinach, peas, or carrots. Try adding spices like cayenne peppers, sea salt, onion powder, or garlic powder.
What to serve with Hamburger Helper
- A simple garden salad with a light vinaigrette
- Roasted broccoli
- No knead bread
- Zucchini noodles
- Cheese garlic bread
- Italian salad
- Fresh asparagus with lemon pepper
- Garlic knots
- Wedge salad
- Caprese skewers
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Add a couple of splashes of heavy cream or milk to bring the dish back to its original creaminess.
More hamburger recipes
Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 15- ounce can tomato sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream or whole milk
- 2 ½ cups uncooked medium shell pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley garnish
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the ground beef is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions and cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the paprika, crushed red pepper, low-sodium beef broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and pasta. Stir to combine the ingredients and to get the pasta down in the liquid.
- Bring the dish to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the pasta is just tender, about 8-11 minutes, stirring several times.
- Remove the dish from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese in several increments until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use somewhat lean ground beef for this recipe. Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken.
- Any small pasta will work in this recipe, including elbow macaroni, medium shells, bowtie pasta, egg noodles, rotini, or mini penne.
- Don’t overcook the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente. Mushy noodles break down when stirred and are not near as good.
- Use good quality sharp cheddar cheese and shred it yourself with the fine side of a box grater.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Add a couple of splashes of heavy cream or milk to bring the dish back to its original creaminess.
Nutrition
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Sammy
This brings back all the feels of childhood! I made this for my family and everyone gave rave reviews! Delicious!
Lora
Congrats on the new puppy! Yes, you forget how much work they are. This is fast, easy and looks so flavorful for those busy nights!!
Erin
This needs to happen at my house very soon!! This looks fabulous!
Chrissie
This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon.
Taylor
Perfect weeknight dinner! Love one skillet meals. Easy and delicious!
Ashley F
This is one of my kids favorites! So easy to make!
Toni
This quickly became a favorite weeknight meal at our house!
Tanya Schroeder
One skillet meals are the best, I cannot wait to try this!
Kristyn
I love this homemade version! Macaroni and hamburger is the best combination! My kids love it!
NAti
I’ve never eaten Hamburger helper (I actually didn’t know that was a thing, lol) it sounds really tasty!
Sincerely Miss J
This looks tasty. I use to love hamburger helpers when I was younger. This is reminding me why I use to love it. Thanks for sharing.
Jasemine -Denise
Personally not the biggest fan of hamburger helper but this recipe sounds better than Hamburger Helper actually tastes!
Beth Pierce
It really is. No artificial anything and tons of great cheesy flavor!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
This is definitely comfort food and we’ve never heard of Hamburger Helper (as we’re from the UK) but this looks delicious!
Kalyan Panja
That indeed looks a delicious and yummy hamburger and would love to taste it.
Kisha Stewart-Harris
There is nothing like a quick one skillet meal to make a busy moms life that much easier, and this one does just that. My kids loved it, and they got a kick out of the callentani noodles. Overall it was a big hit. Will be making this again.
natalie
Oh wow this is my kind of food! It looks amazing!