Homemade Hamburger Helper
This Homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick, one-pan dinner that delivers classic comfort with real, simple ingredients. Tender pasta simmers directly in a seasoned beef sauce, creating a creamy, cheesy skillet meal that tastes like the boxed version just fresher, healthier, and ready in about 20 minutes.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Homemade Hamburger Helper
🕒 Ready In: ~20 minutes
👪 Serves: 4-6
🍽 Calories: ~450 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Ground beef, elbow macaroni, beef broth, milk, cheddar cheese
📖 Dietary Info: One-pan; can be made gluten-free with GF pasta
👌 Difficulty: Very easy - everything cooks in a single skillet
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It's the kind of easy weeknight recipe the whole family loves and relies on when you need something warm and satisfying without extra prep.
For more fast, real-ingredient dinners, try our Creamy Lemon Chicken, cozy Cheesesteak Skillet, or kid-friendly Sloppy Joe Casserole next. They all follow the same simple, one-pan style that makes this Homemade Hamburger Helper a weeknight staple.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Hamburger Helper:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Homemade Hamburger Helper FAQs:
- More Easy Dinner Recipes You'll Love
- Get a FREE Healthy Meal Planning Ebook
- Homemade Hamburger Helper
Why You'll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper:
Comfort food made simple: Creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, just like the boxed classic, but made from scratch.
One-pan meal: Everything cooks in one skillet for easy cleanup.
Quick and family-friendly: Ready in under 30 minutes with ingredients you likely already have.
Better-for-you version: No additives or powdered mixes, just real, wholesome ingredients.
Customizable: Swap in ground turkey, chicken, or even lentils for a lighter twist.
Key Ingredients:
- ground beef. Use lean ground beef for rich flavor without excess grease. Ground turkey or chicken can also be substituted.
- tomato paste. Adds depth and a subtle tang that balances the creamy sauce.
- beef broth. Provides a rich, savory base for the sauce and helps cook the pasta evenly.
- milk. Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth, cheesy sauce once stirred in.
- elbow macaroni. Classic choice for hamburger helper, small shells or rotini also work.
- cheddar cheese. Sharp cheddar melts into a creamy, flavorful sauce; freshly shredded melts best.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use a different protein: Swap the ground beef for turkey or chicken for a lighter version. If using chicken or turkey, add an extra pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
- Make it gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free elbow macaroni. Start with the lower end of the cook time and add a splash of broth or milk if needed.
- Add vegetables: Stir in 1 cup of diced zucchini, spinach, frozen peas, or shredded carrots after browning the beef. They soften perfectly as the pasta cooks.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne, red pepper flakes, or use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar.
- Lower-carb option: Replace the pasta with cooked cauliflower florets. Simmer the sauce as written, then stir in the cooked cauliflower at the end.
How to Make Hamburger Helper:
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and onion until beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 2: Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Pour in the milk and pasta, stirring until well combined. Cover and continue to simmer until the pasta is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: When pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, stir in the cheddar cheese until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Brown the beef well: Let the ground beef sear for a few minutes before stirring to develop rich flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Simmer gently: Keep the heat low after adding pasta to avoid curdling the milk or evaporating too quickly.
- Stir occasionally: Prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan while it cooks.
- Adjust consistency: Add a splash of milk or broth at the end if the sauce thickens too much.
- Customize it: Stir in vegetables like peas, corn, or diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Storage tip: The sauce thickens as it sits, add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back the creamy texture.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooled hamburger helper in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently until heated through.
Homemade Hamburger Helper FAQs:
Yes. Gluten-free elbow macaroni works well in this recipe. Start with the lower end of the cook time and check frequently, adding a splash of broth or milk if the pasta absorbs liquid faster than expected.
If it's too soupy, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes until the sauce thickens. You can also add a small handful of extra cheese to help tighten the sauce. The mixture thickens further as it cools.
Yes. Replace the milk with additional beef broth for a lighter sauce, or use unsweetened almond milk or oat milk. The texture will be slightly less creamy but still very flavorful.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and onion until beef is cooked through and the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Pour in the milk and pasta, stirring until well combined. Cover and continue to simmer until the pasta is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, stir in the cheddar cheese until completely melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste then serve.
Nutrition
Notes
- Brown the beef well: Let the ground beef sear for a few minutes before stirring to develop rich flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
- Simmer gently: Keep the heat low after adding pasta to avoid curdling the milk or evaporating too quickly.
- Stir occasionally: Prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan while it cooks.
- Adjust consistency: Add a splash of milk or broth at the end if the sauce thickens too much.
- Customize it: Stir in vegetables like peas, corn, or diced bell peppers for extra color and nutrition.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.
- Storage tip: The sauce thickens as it sits, add a splash of milk when reheating to bring back the creamy texture.