Homemade Hamburger Helper: How to Make It in 20 Minutes
A creamy, cheesy homemade Hamburger Helper made from scratch with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich savory sauce an easy one-pan dinner the whole family will love.
- Author: ssam
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pan
- Cuisine: American
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- 1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- 2. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking apart as it cooks.
- 3. Stir in diced onion and garlic; sauté until softened.
- 4. Add tomato paste, paprika, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
- 5. Pour in beef broth, milk, and uncooked macaroni; stir well.
- 6. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender.
- 7. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 8. Remove lid and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
- 9. Let rest for 2–3 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for extra depth.
- Swap ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Leftovers reheat well with a little milk stirred in.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, one pot pasta, cheesy beef pasta, easy dinner