Homemade Hamburger Helper

A wooden serving spoon scooping hamburger helper out of a saute pan.

Homemade hamburger helper is a from-scratch version of the classic boxed meal. Beef and macaroni come together in a cheesy and flavorful seasoned sauce. All you need is a single pan and thirty minutes!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Author Heather

Ingredients

16 ounces ground beef
1 small onion diced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces beef broth
8 ounces whole milk
8 ounces macaroni uncooked
14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated

Instructions

Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Crumble ground beef into pan and allow to brown on the bottom before flipping.
Add onion to the pan and cool until beef is browned through. Drain excess grease from the pan if needed.
Add paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, pepper, salt, beef broth, milk, crushed tomatoes, and macaroni. Stir to combine.
Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until macaroni is al dente (refer to pasta's package directions). Stir once halfway through to prevent sticking.
Remove lid. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted.
Remove from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken. Serve and enjoy.

Video

Notes

Fresh grated cheese is best: Packaged, pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-clumping powder that adds a grainy texture when melted.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator and gently reheated for 4 to 5 days.
Variations: Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, pork, or chicken. Macaroni can be substituted with any medium shaped pasta.

Nutrition