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
Are you on the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Lavanda
It’s one of my family’s favorite dishes, and my husband has been making it since our children were little.
Yeah Lifestyle
I tried this with the kids, it was an absolute winner! The whole dish was so tasty and there were clean plates at the end!
Laura
I have never heard of this meal! But it sounds like something my kids would absolutely love. It definitely sounds like the ultimate comfort meal as well.
Samantha Donnelly
Great recipe! It was easy and delicious!
Whitney
I grew up eating hamburger helper out of the box and after having it homemade, I’ll never go back!! It’s definitely a comfort meal!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Whitney!
Dannii
This was so hearty and comforting, and really easy to make too.
dina and bruce miller
Seriously good! No leftovers!!!
Carrie Robinson
Wow! Now this looks SO much better than that boxed stuff. Definitely adding this one to my weekly dinner rotation soon! 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Carrie! Enjoy!
Dana
Wayyy better than the boxed stuff, and just as comforting! Perfect for our weeknight rotation.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Dana! Enjoy!
Audrey
Yum, getting ready to make this in a minute!!! We LOVE cream cheese so, it’ll be even better! One tip I’ve learned if it helps anyone else out,…any recipe that calls for uncooked pasta,…just rinse the pasta off first and it removes the starch the same way it would after cooking, as we’ve all done so many times. I love meal’s like this and found that little trick keeps recipe’s from getting a bit sticky from the starch 🙂 I always appreciate good advice and love to pass it along when it works 🙂 Off to the kitchen i go! thank you for this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip Audrey. Happy cooking!
Betsy
Talk about super easy comfort food! Delicious and perfect for a cool evening!
Matt Taylor
So much better than the boxed stuff at the supermarket! So yummy and cheesy!
Shelley
Who needs the boxed stuff when you can make your own, right?!? So quick and easy for busy nights, and always a family favorite!
Krista
What a delicious, simple meal to make on those busy weekday nights!
Catalina
Now I know what I will have for dinner tonight! Looks so delicious!
Jacque Hooper
This recipe was everything I was hoping for, and more! Not only did my kids love this, they are already requesting it again tonight! Yum!