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This one pot hamburger helper recipe only takes 30 minutes to make and is an upgraded childhood classic! Made with ground beef, macaroni, and a rich, creamy homemade cheese sauce, it delivers all the comforting flavors of the classic without the preservatives or artificial ingredients. It tastes better than than anything from a box and is a cozy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
Hamburger Helper is a nostalgic dinner that many of us grew up on. But, like all boxed meals, there’s usually a healthier and more delicious way to make them. My recipe for homemade hamburger helper is so simple and uses pantry staples and real ingredients.
The seasoning in the sauce is simple so both kids and picky eaters will enjoy it, and the entire meal is made in one pot, making cooking and cleanup super easy!
Ingredient Notes
Ground beef – Lean ground beef should be used for this recipe so it doesn’t get too greasy. I use 90/10% lean ground beef.
Onion – Onion gives this homemade version savory depth of flavor that the boxed meal doesn’t provide.
Chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder – This simple spice blend adds a smoky and savory element to the ground beef and sauce. Be sure to use a mild chili powder blend so it isn’t spicy.
Tomato paste – Tomato paste adds a rich tomato flavor and helps to thicken the sauce. I like to use double concentrated tomato paste for the best flavor.
Beef broth – You need the broth to cook the pasta. It may seem like a lot of liquid, but the pasta will absorb most of it as it cooks. You can substitute with chicken broth. Use low sodium broth.
Milk – I like to use whole milk for a creamier sauce. You can also use 2% milk or dairy-free milk such as unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk. For a richer sauce you can also use half and half or heavy cream.
Macaroni – Macaroni is the classic pasta shape that’s you’ll find in the boxed version. You can substitute it with small shell pasta.
Cheese – Grate the cheese from the block instead of using pre-shredded cheese for the best flavor and consistency. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents in it and won’t melt as well. I like to use colby jack cheese for this recipe because it’s so gooey when it melts. You can use cheddar cheese, but stick to a medium cheddar vs. sharp cheddar cheese if you want that extra gooey factor.
Tips for Making Homemade Hamburger Helper
- If there’s a lot of excess grease in the pot after the ground beef is cooked, remove it with a spoon or my easy method is to soak it up with paper towels.
- Once the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low. It should be a gentle simmer not a hard boil. If the heat it up too high the liquid will be absorbed before the pasta is cooked.
- Stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Have extra broth on hand in case it starts to look dry. I recommend adding 1/4 cup at a time.
- Stir the cheese in off the heat. The consistency of cheese can get grainy if it’s boiled or cooked for too long. Stirring it in off the heat will give you the perfect creamy, gooey, consistency.
Hamburger Helper Substitutions and Variations
- Use a different kind of ground meat. Ground turkey and ground chicken both work well.
- Make it spicy. If you love a spicy kick add in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha or hot sauce.
- Dairy-free. For a dairy-free hamburger helper, use unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk. Replace the cheese with dairy-free cheese such as Violife.
- Gluten-free. Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta to make gluten-free hamburger helper.
- Different Cheeses. I like colby jack cheese, but cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese, havarti, or smoked cheddar cheese would all be delicious.
- Add veggies. Red bell pepper, shredded carrots, or baby spinach are all great ways to add fiber and nutrients to hamburger helper.
- Add protein. Stir in a 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt after you stir in the cheese for additional protein and creaminess. Be sure to use whole milk Greek yogurt and stir it in off the heat.
What to Serve with Hamburger Helper
I like to serve a salad or vegetable side dish with hamburger helper since there’s aren’t any in the dish itself.
Salad – Caesar salad, corn tomato salad, or a simple house salad with my healthy ranch dressing.
Veggie side – Honey roasted carrots with goat cheese, lemon parmesan asparagus, and green bean salad with feta all cut through the creamy richness of the pasta and add a pop of freshness.
Storage and Reheating
Storage – Store hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing – You can freeze hamburger helper, however the pasta will be softer and a little mushy once it’s been defrosted. If that doesn’t bother you go for it!
Reheating – Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat until warm. Add a splash of broth or milk before reheating to bring back the creamy consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my sauce too thick or too thin?
If your hamburger helper sauce is too thick you may have the heat up too high while cooking. Keep the heat turned down to low while the pasta is cooking so it doesn’t absorb the liquid too quickly. You can add in additional broth to loosen the sauce.
If the sauce is too thin, continue to cook for a couple more minutes so more of the liquid is absorbed. The sauce will also continue to thicken as the dish sits and the pasta absorbs it.
How Can I Make Homemade Hamburger Helper a Little Lighter?
Make hamburger helper lighter by using 2% milk. You can also omit the milk and replace it with additional beef broth. You can also reduce the amount of cheese from 2 cups to 1 1/2 cups.
More Pasta Recipes
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces uncooked macaroni noodles or small shells
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese or cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot add in the onion and ground beef. Crumble the ground beef then season with salt and pepper. Cook until it's cooked through and the onion is soft, about 6-8 minutes. Remove any excess grease from the pot. I soak it up with paper towels.
- Stir in the dried spices and tomato paste and cook another minute.
- Pour in the pasta, broth, and milk and stir everything together. Bring it to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium-low or low and simmer for 8-12 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir often to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese. Once the cheese is melted taste for seasoning then serve immediately. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this Homemade Hamburger Helper, please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you and do my best to respond to your comments. And if you’re on Instagram tag @reciperunner so I can see your beautiful creations!
This was so quick and so delicious. Thank you!!