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!
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Crumble ground beef into pan and add onion. Cook until beef is browned. Drain excess grease from 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 boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 8 minutes, or until macaroni is al dente (refer to macaroni 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.
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Notes
Freshly shredded cheese is highly recommended for this recipe. Packaged, pre-shredded cheese often contains powder coating the cheese to prevent clumping. This can cause your sauce to become gritty.
Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator and reheated for 4 to 5 days.