Homemade Hamburger Helper
There are some dinners that you make because they’re impressive, and then there are the dinners you make because you know everyone is going to be happy when they see them on the table. This homemade Hamburger Helper is definitely the second kind. It’s warm, creamy, cheesy, and incredibly comforting, and the best part is that it comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes.
What I really love about this recipe is how little work it takes for how good it tastes. Once the beef is browned and seasoned, everything else goes into the same skillet. The macaroni cooks right in the broth, which means it picks up all of that savory flavor while the starch from the pasta helps thicken the sauce.
The cheese is what really brings everything together. I like using a sharp cheddar because it gives the sauce plenty of flavor without needing a long list of ingredients. Once the cheese melts into the warm pasta, you end up with that creamy, cheesy texture that makes this kind of dinner so hard to stop eating. I always tell myself I’ll save some for lunch the next day, and then somehow there’s a little less left than I expected.
The flavor here is very much inspired by a classic cheeseburger. The beef, cheddar, and tomato paste all work together to give the pasta that savory, slightly tangy flavor, while the garlic, onion, and jalapeno round everything out.
Make It Your Own
The nice thing about a recipe like this is that it doesn’t need to be followed perfectly. If you have ground turkey instead of beef, use it. If you only have a different kind of short pasta in the pantry, that will work too. You can add some vegetables, turn up the heat with red pepper flakes or hot sauce, or even add a little extra cheese if you’re having one of those nights.
Sometimes I’ll add a handful of spinach toward the end, especially if I have some that needs to be used up. Mushrooms, peas, broccoli, or diced peppers would also be easy additions. You don’t have to change anything for this recipe to work, but it’s nice knowing you can make little adjustments depending on what sounds good.
What to Serve With Hamburger Helper
This is one of those meals where I don’t think you need to overthink the side dishes. The pasta is hearty enough to stand on its own, so most of the time I’ll serve it with a simple green salad or some roasted vegetables. Something fresh on the side works really well with the creamy pasta. If you’re leaning into the comfort-food theme, though, a piece of warm garlic bread is pretty hard to resist. It’s especially good for scooping up any extra sauce left in the bottom of the bowl, which is really the best part anyway.
The Kind of Dinner You’ll Make Again
I think the best recipes are the ones you don’t have to save for a special occasion. This homemade Hamburger Helper is exactly that kind of recipe. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight, cozy enough for a cold evening, and familiar enough that even picky eaters usually have a hard time saying no to it.
There’s nothing complicated happening here, and that’s kind of the point. You brown some beef, let everything simmer together, stir in a lot of good cheddar, and suddenly dinner is ready. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 white onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeno minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the 1 lb ground beef with the 1 white onion and 1 jalapeno until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess grease.1 lb ground beef, 1 white onion, 1 jalapeno
- Stir in the 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the tomato paste has deepened in color.2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the 3 cups beef broth, then stir in the 2 cups elbow macaroni.3 cups beef broth, 2 cups elbow macaroni
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the 2 cups cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes to thicken.2 cups cheddar cheese
