Homemade Hamburger Helper

This cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper combines seasoned ground beef, tender macaroni, and plenty of melty cheddar cheese for a comforting bite of nostalgia, making it perfect for easy family dinners any night of the week.

Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

There’s just something downright comforting about a good skillet of homemade Hamburger Helper. This from-scratch version of hamburger helper is the kind of supper you can throw together on a busy weeknight when everyone’s hungry and you need something hearty, filling, and familiar. Made with pantry staples like seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce, it’s rich, cozy, and way better than anything that comes out of a box.

It’s the kind of meal that kids love, always hits the spot, stretches a pound of beef, and has the family going back for seconds which is always a win in my kitchen. Comforting, filling, and way better than the boxed version, it’s a meal everyone at the table will happily dig into.

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make easy Homemade Hamburger Helper: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Ground Beef – Lean ground beef gives the pasta a beefy flavor.
• Macaroni – Classic elbow macaroni keeps it simple.
• Onion and Garlic – Diced yellow onion and garlic cloves complement the taste of beef.
• Liquid – Beef broth or beef stock plus whole milk or half and half for moisture.
• Cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a melty cheesy flavor.
• Tomato Paste – Thickens the sauce and expands the flavor profile.
• Ketchup – Ketchup or chili sauce i.e. Heinz or similar.
• Sauce – Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor.
• Spices – Seasoned salt, freshly ground black pepper, chili powder, ground mustard.
• Garnish – Fresh parsley for serving.

How to Make the BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

• Sauté Hamburger with Onion – Add ground beef and onion to a large skillet and heat over medium to medium-high heat until beef is browned. Drain grease from pan. Reduce heat to medium and add in garlic.
• Spices – Add tomato paste, Worcestershire and seasonings
• Add Liquids and Macaroni – Mix in beef broth, milk, ketchup and dry macaroni, then bring the mixture to a bubbling, then lower to a simmer.
• Cook – Cover skillet and cook until pasta is cooked through and sauce is starting to thicken.
• Add Shredded Cheese – Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted.
• Serve – Let stand for 5 minutes then scoop and serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Hamburger Helper

• 12-inch skillet or pot.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Cheese grater.
• Chopping board and knife.
• Large spoon.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Protein – You can make this hamburger helper dish with ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork.
• Noodles – You can use a similar size pasta shape such as small shells or penne regatta. If you change the size of the pasta you may need to adjust the amount of cooking liquid to accommodate. Add more beef broth or more milk to thin the sauce.
• Cheese – You can use colby jack cheese. medium cheddar cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
• Milk – To add even more creaminess to the texture use half and half or heavy cream in place of milk.
• Veggies – You could sauté red or green bell peppers along with the ground beef and onion to expand the flavor profile.
• Spices – You can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in place of fresh garlic and add crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce for extra spice.
• Thin the Sauce to Your Taste – If the sauce thickens too quickly, you can add additional milk in steps 5, 6, or 7. This can happen if the macaroni boils more quickly.
• Thicken the Sauce – If the sauce is thinner than you like, you can cover and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes or add additional tomato paste.
• Side Dishes to Serve – You can add a salad, peas, green beans, steamed broccoli or any of your favorite vegetables.

Storage and Leftovers

• Store Leftovers – Store leftover hamburger helper in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat stirring constantly. You will need to add additional beef broth or milk to thin the sauce for reheating.
• Freezing Leftovers – You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving with your favorite sides.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make

• Serve this Hamburger Steak with a heaping helping of mashed potatoes.
• Barbecue flavored Smokey Joes.
• Treat the family to a big bowl of Chili Spaghetti.
• Shepherd’s Pie for St Patrick’s Day or any day that suit your fancy.
• Teriyaki Beef Fried Rice is quick and easy.
• Use a fluffy loaf of bread from the grocery store bakery to make this Stuffed Sloppy Joe Bread.
• Italian Basil Beef and Shells for Italian night at home.
• This Bacon Cheeseburger Pie has a hash brown crust.
• Save time and stock your freezer with this Make-Ahead Ground Beef for quick and easy meals.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 12-inch Skillet
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board