Homemade Hamburger Helper

Get ready to indulge in a quick and delicious homemade hamburger helper recipe that’s packed with extra cheese! In just half an hour, you’ll have tender pasta and ground beef smothered in a creamy tomato and cheese sauce, all cooked together in a single pot.

This hamburger helper is wonderfully creamy, full of beefy richness, and loaded with delicious cheesy pasta bits. Like the boxed version, everything is cooked in a single skillet, making cleanup a joy. It cooks in just 30 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a great supper without spending too much time in the kitchen.

It’s also inexpensive, relying on pantry staples and low-cost components. This rich dinner will leave everyone wanting more. My children are constantly squabbling over the last few nibbles! Feel free to modify the recipe by substituting different cheeses, ground meat, or seasonings to suit your tastes or dietary requirements. You can even make it gluten-free if you like.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground beef that is lean
• 2 cups of either beef or chicken broth
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 8 ounces of medium pasta like shells or large elbows
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Let’s Cook

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.

Pour in 1 ¾ cups of beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer covered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Uncover and cook for an additional 2 to 4 minutes until the pasta is tender, adding more liquid if necessary. Take it off the heat and let it sit uncovered for 5 minutes.

Mix in the cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.