Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
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Hamburger helper is much better when it doesn’t come from a box! This is a great one-pot dish perfect for the whole family. The cheesy, ground beef-filled pasta is a comforting meal for bone chilling nights. For those unfamiliar, the recipe is basically a hamburger macaroni and cheese. It’s made with minimal ingredients so any additional trips out into the cold to the grocery store are limited. I turn to this as a “clean out the pantry” meal. It’s a great way to use up leftover ground beef! If you’re a fan of nostalgic recipes like this give my beef stroganoff or stovetop broccoli Cheddar mac and cheese a try.
Key Ingredients for This Recipe
- Beef – I use a blend of 80% lean/ 20% fat ground beef. The fat adds flavor though it can be swapped for a leaner cut. Fresh is best, try asking your butcher to grind it for you.
- Tomato paste – Tomato paste is created from tomatoes that have been cooked down until they become a thick, dense paste. I try to buy tubes of tomato paste rather than small cans. The tubes allow you to reseal and keep the paste for later (they last a long time) resulting in less waste.
- Spices – I season the mix with chili powder for a deep, earthy flavor and slight smokines, relying on sautéed onions and garlic for a base of flavor.
- Beef stock – Beef stock is typically made from bones with the addition of aromatics and vegetables, while beef broth is made from the meat. Either can be used in this recipe but stock will have a stronger flavor.
- Cream – The cream can be omitted though I like the richness it adds.
- Pasta – I use pipe rigate pasta for an elegant upgrade to the classic elbow macaroni used in the classic boxed version of hamburger helper, however, any favorite noodle shape can be used. Other favorites include shells or ditalini. The pasta is cooked in beef stock for added flavor and to create an easy one-pot meal.
- Cheese – For cooking, I favor sharp Cheddar, especially when I want the flavor to be prominent. If you use mild or medium Cheddar, the flavor will cook out, leaving the dish lacking in cheesy flavor.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Step 1: Cook aromatics.
Heat a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Cook beef.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Add tomato paste.
Stir in the tomato paste and chili powder.
Step 4: Cook pasta.
Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes (the cooking time may differ depending on the pasta shape).
Step 5: Finish with cheese.
Remove from heat and stir in the cream, Cheddar cheese and half the chives, stirring until the cheese has melted.
Step 6: Serve.
Ladle into bowls and serve topped with the remaining chives.
Swaps and substitutions
- Meat: The ground beef can be replaced with another leaner ground meat like turkey or chicken.
- Spice: While this version is more kid-friendly without added spice, try adding a touch of cayenne or a bit of hot sauce for a bit of added flavor.
- Broth: The beef broth can be swapped for chicken stock for a more mellow flavor.
What to serve with hamburger helper
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoy this homemade hamburger helper recipe, give these a try:
Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
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Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 pound (80/20) ground beef
- Kosher salt, as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3½ cups beef stock
- ½ pound pipe rigate or elbow pasta
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons diced chives, divided
Instructions:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the tomato paste and chili powder.
- Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes (the cooking time may differ depending on the pasta shape).
- Remove from heat and stir in the cream, Cheddar cheese and half the chives, stirring until the cheese has melted.
- Ladle into bowls and serve topped with the remaining chives.
Nutrition:
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Great easy meal that the entire family enjoyed
So happy to hear it Aleysha! Thank you for sharing!!
Very yummy. A huge hit in my house. Even my mom liked it.
So happy to hear it!
Loved this!!! I did a whole lb of pasta and added another cup of liquid. Turned out perfect. I was worried there wouldn’t be enough lol
So happy to hear you enjoyed!
Your website is a treasure trove of culinary delights! I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon it and can’t wait to explore more recipes. Vielen Dank! Greetings from Germany!
Thank you so much!!
This was great! My kids loved it! I’m a mom of 4, trying to feed everyone and please them! Looking forward to making a few other recipes on your site! Thank you!
So happy to hear everyone enjoyed! I’m always happy to recommend others that may be good for the whole family! Check out my rosemary chickpea pasta or smashburger tacos!!
This was so easy to make and it was delicious!! Froze the leftovers and my kids were happy when they found the containers in the freezer. Making a double batch this time!
So happy to hear it! So glad it was a hit Michele!
Enjoying your recipes
So happy to hear it, thank you!
Make this at least 2 times a month. Love it!
So happy to hear that!! Thank you for sharing Nicole! Perfect for chilly winter nights!!
This is an excellent and simple weeknight dinner! Cozy winter comfort food…excellent in every way! Thanks Kylie.
So happy to hear it Michele, thanks for sharing!!
Comfort food at its finest! I will 100% make this again. It is scrumptious and sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I don’t usually leave reviews on these recipe sites but I had to for this one! This recipe became an instant staple in our families weekly dinners. Hands down one of the best dinners for being so simple!! Thank you for sharing!
That makes me so happy!! Thank you so much for sharing Matthew!
Delicious. Family loved it . Made it twice already
So happy to hear it Darlene! Thanks for sharing!
This was fantastic! My children adored it! As a mother of four, I aim to please and feed everyone! I’m excited to try some more recipes from your website! I’m grateful.
Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear it was a hit! I know how hard it can be to find things kids will eat!
Definitely a staple in my childhood so I was delighted when we saw this homemade recipe version and tried it out. Brought me back to my childhood, but this was much better!! So good!!
If I want to double the recipe, do I double all of the ingredients?
Yes, I would recommend doubling all of the ingredients so you get the best sauce to noodle ratio!