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
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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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Ive never left a review on a recipe and I had to bc this is SO GOOD. Tastes just how I remember it as a kid but I know this is a million times better bc it’s SO fresh and creamy. I doubled the beef for more protein so I also doubled the garlic, chili powder and tomato paste. So yummy. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE!
I absolutely love love love this recipe! The first time I made it, I was hardly able to resist eating so much of it. It keeps well in the fridge. And my little one loves it. I can’t wait for my hubby to try it. Thank you!!
I’m so happy to hear it Tiffany! Thanks for sharing!!
Hi! First off, I love this recipe and I’ve made it numerous times. Are the calories per serving size?
I’m so glad you love the recipe and make it often! Yes, the calorie count is per serving, but it’s just a rough estimate based on the ingredients. I usually calculate with slightly larger serving sizes so no one ends up short when feeding a family.
Better than the store brand 10 out of 10
Better than the store brand 10 out of 10
SO happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!
I made this for the first time today. My husband and I loved it! Exceptionally better than any box meal and of course I know exactly what went into it. It was such a hit, I know we will be eating it again soon.
That makes me so happy to hear! I love that you and your husband enjoyed it. It’s such a cozy, nostalgic meal, and even better made from scratch. Thanks so much for trying the recipe!
Loved this hamburger recipe — it’s so good! I really liked it!
So happy to hear it! Thank you for sharing!
We really enjoyed this recipe! Perfect for a snowy day, filling and comforting. We used Monterey cheese we got as a Christmas present, we will definitely be making this classy Hamburger Helper again. Thank you for recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Angela! Thank you for sharing!
Add oregano, trust me.
My husband loved this the first time I made it and has requested I make it again for meal prep this week. SO yummy and easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing!
YAY! I am so happy to hear it made it into your dinner rotation! Thank you for sharing Martha!
I don’t intend to come back here if you can fix your page. It’s 2025 & having a page that works like it’s 1980 is unacceptable
I’m so sorry you were having issues with my website. Do you mind elaborating so I can ensure they get fixed ASAP?
The instructions missed adding the 1/3 cup of heavy cream, I added it right before the pasta was cooked to al dente to heat the cream. Then removed from heat and added the cheese. This worked well. Great tasting recipe. Will try again.
The cream is in step 5! Stirred in along with the cheddar cheese! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed, thanks for sharing Shawn!
Love it!!!
Thank you!!