Hamburger Helper is a classic dish that remains a staple in our home. This cheeseburger macaroni pasta is easy to make and will quickly become a family favorite!
This meal is ready in 30 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re feeling under the weather.
I used to have Hamburger Helper when I was younger, and it always brings back happy memories. So, I decided to recreate an even better version from scratch! My kids have never had it before, but I think they will enjoy it.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
We love making one-pot meals on busy weeknights because it’s less of a hassle during and after cooking. One-pot dinners typically combine starch, protein, and vegetables into a delicious and comforting meal.
This dish is comfort food: it’s warm, hearty, and only requires a few ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Best of all, it’ll be ready in just 30 minutes!
I love that I have control over the seasonings in this recipe. Our recipe includes the classic ground beef, seasonings, and macaroni, but the kicker, the treat, is that it is made with real cheese. Trust me; if you didn’t top your Hamburger Helper with extra cheese growing up, you were missing out. But now, it’s time for the real deal.
Ingredients For Hamburger Helper
A note about this recipe or one-pot recipes: the amount of liquid needed can vary. If your meal seems to have run out of liquid but still has a lot of cooking time left, add 1/4 cup of beef broth, milk, or water until it reaches the desired consistency.
Pair this With…
How to make the best Hamburger Helper
Cook the beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides. Breaking the meat into smaller pieces will help ensure it cooks evenly.
Add the seasonings, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder, and stir to combine.
Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, and milk to the pan. Stir to mix and add the uncooked macaroni to a skillet. Stir until everything is well combined, then increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
Lower the heat to medium simmer once it begins boiling, and put a lid on the pot. Remember to stir the pasta occasionally during this time so it doesn’t stick and burn to the bottom of the pan; I like checking it every couple of minutes or so.
Stir in cheddar cheese until it is melted and combined. Serve this dish immediately, topping it with additional cheese and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.
Place the dish on the stove over medium-low heat until warm to reheat the Hamburger Helper. If the sauce has become too thick after refrigeration, add a splash of water. You can also use the microwave; heat on medium power for 1 to 3 minutes or until warmed through.
How to store pasta leftovers
More Easy Pasta Recipes
Pin to Pinterest.
Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic or 2 teaspoons of fresh
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 4 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides. Breaking the meat into smaller pieces will help ensure it cooks evenly.
- Add the seasonings, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder, and stir to combine.
- Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, and milk to the pan. Stir to mix and add the uncooked macaroni to a skillet. Stir until everything is mixed together well, then turn up the heat to bring it all to a boil.
- Lower the heat to medium simmer once it begins boiling, and put a lid on the pot. Remember to stir occasionally during that time so the pasta doesn’t stick and burn onto the bottom of the pan; I like checking it every couple minutes or so.
- Stir in cheddar cheese until it is melted and combined. Serve this dish immediately; top it with more cheese and chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.
Well, NOW I’m hungry! I love Hamburger Helper, and this homemade version looks even better than my favorite guilty pleasure.
This will be perfect for through the week! I cannot wait to make this!
Hi. Your recipe calls for garlic in the instructions. I don’t see garlic listed in the ingredients list. How much is needed?
thank you, I missed that 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 2-3 teaspoons of fresh.
My kids would love this! It looks and sounds incredible!
Yes, please! I can’t resist to this hamburger helper!
Soooooo flavorful and comforting. Perfect for a cozy night in.
This was heaps better than any store bought kit! We didn’t have any leftovers!
Such an incredible dish! Definitely a must make!
I grew up on Hamburger Helper, and this homemade version is a revelation! The flavor is so much richer, and I love that I can control the ingredients.
This is such a comforting recipe and it’s so easy to make on a busy week night!