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Homemade Hamburger Helper is simple to make and can be on the table in about half an hour. This one-pot pasta meal is cheesy and delicious!
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- Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients
- How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Cooking Tips
- Storing this Recipe
- JUMP TO RECIPE
Homemade Hamburger Helper is simple to make and can be on the table in about half an hour. This delicious, one-pot pasta meal is quick and satisfying. The whole family will love an easy homemade hamburger helper!
MORE RECIPES:
Cheeseburger Casserole | Baked Ziti | Sloppy Joe's
Cheesy, meaty, saucy, all in one pot! We love easy cleanup. Make sure you stir regularly so there’s no sticking and therefore, no scrubbing necessary!
Homemade cheeseburger hamburger helper of course has cheese, ground beef, and macaroni. Though you could easily replace the macaroni with any preferred pasta shape. All the ease of the boxed dinner, but with real ingredients. Serve with a salad or your favorite steamed veggies and crusty bread.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients
- Lean ground beef
- Minced garlic
- Beef broth
- Water
- Tomato paste
- Onion powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Dried parsley
- Black pepper
- Elbow macaroni
- Cheddar cheese
The ingredients to make this Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe are likely things you already have. Since the ingredients are generally on hand, you can whip up a simple, hearty meal any day of the week. Flavorful and filling, homemade hamburger helper beef pasta is sure to please.
Lean ground beef is called for, which doesn’t make too much grease. Ground turkey is another great option, or even a plant-based ground “meat” and either will act the same in the recipe. Beef broth and spices give the meat its flavor. Use bouillon if that’s what you have on hand, just taste as you go to make sure this easy hamburger helper isn’t too salty.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
FIRST STEP: In a large soup pot (4 to 5.5 quart is good), on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and garlic. Drain any fat or liquid (there won’t be much since we’re using lean meat).
SECOND STEP: When the beef is completely cooked, add the beef broth, water, tomato paste, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper. Keep the temperature at medium-high heat. (This may look like a lot of fluids, but it is needed to properly cook the pasta)
THIRD STEP: Once the beef mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium.
FOURTH STEP: Add the elbow macaroni and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir often and make certain the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
FIFTH STEP: Once the noodles are tender, remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheese a ½ cup at a time. Stir well after adding each ½ cup.
SIXTH STEP: Taste the hamburger helper to make certain it is seasoned properly for you and your family.
Cooking Tips
Bouillon cubes can be used, but keep in mind the amount of salt you are putting into the dish. Adding extra salt could make it too salty.
This recipe can also be adjusted to make Chili-Mac by removing the Worcestershire sauce and adding 1 teaspoon cumin powder and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Add in some finely chopped carrots, mashed peas, or any other vegetable you want. Your kids will eat more veggies and won't even realize they are doing it!
Storing this Recipe
IN THE FRIDGE: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
IN THE FREEZER: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper is simple to make and can be on the table in about half an hour. This one-pot pasta meal is cheesy and delicious!
Love this recipe? Give it a 5 Star Rating
5 from 15 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 323 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 if possible)
- 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 4 cup beef broth (you can use low sodium)
- ½ cup water
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cup elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded )
DIRECTIONS
In a large soup pot (4 to 5.5 quart is good), on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and garlic. Drain any fat or liquid (there won’t be much since we’re using lean meat).
When the beef is completely cooked, add the beef broth, water, tomato paste, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried parsley and black pepper. Keep the temperature at medium-high heat. (This may look like a lot of fluids, but it is needed to properly cook the pasta)
Once the beef mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium.
Add the elbow macaroni and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir often and make certain the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
Once the noodles are tender, remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheese a ½ cup at a time. Stir well after adding each ½ cup.
Taste the hamburger helper to make certain it is seasoned properly for you and your family.
Notes
Bouillon cubes can be used, but keep in mind the amount of salt you are putting into the dish. Adding extra salt could make it too salty.
This recipe can also be adjusted to make Chili-Mac by removing the Worcestershire sauce and adding 1 teaspoon cumin powder and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Add in some finely chopped carrots, mashed peas, or any other vegetable you want. Your kids will eat more veggies and won't even realize they are doing it!
Nutrition
Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 846mg | Potassium: 603mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 857IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 3mg
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