Description
Homemade Hamburger Helper made with real ingredients – ground beef, pasta, and creamy cheese sauce. Better than the box, ready in 25 minutes. One-pot comfort food the whole family loves.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2½ cups beef broth
1½ cups milk
8 ounces elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Heat large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add olive oil.
2. Add ground beef, break into small pieces. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned with no pink. Drain excess fat, leaving 1 tablespoon.
3. Add diced onion, cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
4. Add garlic and all spices (paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne). Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Dijon. Cook 1 minute.
6. Pour in beef broth and milk, stir well, scraping browned bits from pan bottom.
7. Add elbow macaroni, stir to ensure pasta is submerged.
8. Bring to boil, reduce to medium-low, cover. Simmer 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta tender and most liquid absorbed.
9. Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese gradually until completely melted and sauce creamy.
10. Let stand 3-5 minutes before serving. Sauce will thicken to perfect consistency.
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor and moisture.
Shred block cheese yourself – melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Add cheese off heat to prevent grainy sauce.
Check pasta at 12 minutes – don’t overcook.
Dish should be slightly saucy when done – thickens as it cools.
Store refrigerated up to 4 days, add milk when reheating.
Freeze up to 3 months in portions.
For gluten-free: use GF pasta, check broth and Worcestershire labels.
Vegetarian: Replace beef with 2 cups cooked lentils.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Course, One-Pot Meal
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: hamburger helper, homemade hamburger helper, one pot dinner, ground beef pasta, comfort food