Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper takes your favorite weeknight comfort dinner and transforms it into a better tasting, healthier, version that's great for any day of the week.
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.
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.
