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.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Hamburger – not too lean as a little fat gives it flavor
- Vegetables – onion and garlic
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning, paprika, crushed red pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper
- Beef broth – preferably low sodium
- Heavy cream – or whole milk
- Shell pasta – the medium one, or any other medium-sized pasta
- Parsley – fresh is best
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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Emmy
Omg yes! This homemade hamburger helper is amazing. So good and brings back so many memories. The perfect comfort food!!
Beth Pierce
I agree Emmy! So much healthier with your own ingredients too!
Heather
I used to make something similar all the time (before I stopped eating meat). I might try to make it again with vegan crumbles.
Catherine
Such a comforting meal! This looks absolutely delicious and so much better homemade!
Lees Garcia
omg mouth watering! can’t wait to get in the kitchen and try this!
Beth Pierce
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Rebecca
I love making hamburger helper- I usually use ground turkey- I’ll try out this recipe!
Beth Pierce
That recipe would be delicious with ground turkey as well. I hope you enjoy it.
Scott Gombar
I have not had hamburger helper in a long time. I used to love it. I will try this with the kids, I think they will like it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Scott! I think they will love it!!
Danielle Wolter
this is like one of those ultimate comfort food dishes. loving how easy but delicious this is! great recipe!
Stacie
Woo hoo! My family loves hamburger helper. I think making a homemade version is going to be so much tastier than the box stuff. I can’t wait to make it!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
This is wonderful. It looks so delicious. I want to try that.
Linda
Yay for homemade hamburger helper! I loved how quick this dish was to make as weeknights are hectic for me as well. I did add the onion and garlic as those are flavors we adore in our house but the rest I left the same. This is actually so much better than the packaged hamburger helper from the store. Everyone enjoyed it immensely.
Jody
I made this and accidentally added ground nutmeg, but it worked because nutmeg goes with cheeses. Definitely will make again with thre nutmeg.
Beth Pierce
I am sure that is delicious! What a great idea!!