After busy weeknights, we deserve a comforting, hearty, and cheesy dish on the table, and that's precisely what the Homemade Hamburger Helper achieves! Made with macaroni pasta, ground beef, and cheese, this one-pot dish is a cozy, classic favorite that's even better than the boxed version!
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Whether you call it One-Pot Ground Beef, Skillet Ground Beef Pasta, or Cheesy Hamburger Helper, one thing's for sure: this dish is comfort in a bowl. And yes, it's made with ingredients you might already have on hand!
Love the combinations of savory, bubbling cheesy dishes? Try the easiest Lazy Ravioli Lasagna and Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole to solve the dinnertime blues with classic flavors made so much better straight from your own oven!
(Blue's Best Life is a participant in the Amazon Affiliate Programs. I earn a small commission if you purchase through those links. This helps me keep the blog going!)- Bobbie
Why You'll Love This Hamburger Helper Recipe!
I don't know what it is, but there's something undeniably comforting about this meaty and cheesy pasta in a bowl. It reminds me of slower days when dinner is easily fixed but filling, and everyone at the table is happy. I also love how this Homemade Hamburger Helper captures that same cozy and relaxing feeling but with more flavor, and no mystery ingredients found in the boxed varieties.
Whether I'm coming home from a long day, capping off a busy week, or feeding my family and friends, this recipe checks all the boxes. It's satisfying, simple, and easy to make!
If you're not yet convinced, here are more reasons why this Hamburger Helper is a keeper:
- Less mess: You'll use only one pot, resulting in minimal cleanup.
- Better than the box: You won't instant pasta from the box! This homemade hamburger helper has all the meaty and cheesy goodness we all grew up on, without preservatives.
- Family-friendly: Kids and kids-at-heart like it. You can easily customize this recipe for picky eaters.
- Versatile: You can enjoy this one-pot dish as is or customize it with ground turkey, vegetables, or different cheeses.
Equipment Needed
- A large pan or deep skillet with a lid
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring spoons and cups
- A small bowl
Key Ingredients
Ground beef - Any kind will work, but I use lean ground beef. Make sure to drain the extra fat.
Onion - Yellow onion adds a savory and sweet base to the dish.
Heavy cream and flour - These two ingredients make the creamy roux. (I did forget to add the heavy cream to the ingredients picture- but I'm sure you know what to look for!
Tomato sauce and beef broth - They add slightly tangy and savory flavors to the sauce.
Elbow macaroni - This is the type of pasta that we will use just to give it that same appearance to the boxed variety.
Seasonings-(Italian herbs, paprika, garlic, and thyme) - To enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Shredded cheese - Colby Jack cheese melts beautifully, but cheddar or a mix will work, too.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Start cooking by heating the large pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up using the wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Once it is perfectly browned, drain the fat and set aside two tablespoons to sauté the onions.
Transfer the beef to the bowl and sauté the onions in the reserved fat until they are translucent in color.
Make the roux by adding the flour to the pan with sautéed onions and cooking it for 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste. Stir in the heavy cream to create a thick creamy base. Keep stirring until it's smooth.
Return the beef to the pan. Add the tomato sauce, beef broth, elbow macaroni, and all the spices. Stir it until well incorporated.
Once the ingredients are gently simmering, cover it, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure that the macaroni doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and remains coated with the sauce.
Once the pasta is tender stir in the cheese. As soon as the cheese melts your homemade hamburger helper is ready to serve!
Serving Recommendations
Macaroni and ground beef dinner is perfect on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:
- A simple green salad, or roasted broccoli.
- Garlic bread, crusty rolls, or dinner rolls.
- Steamed carrots or peas for a wholesome side.
Make Ahead
Prepare this cheesy ground beef pasta a day in advance. You can cook it completely, let it cool, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen up the sauce.
Alternatively, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and cook the macaroni on the day you plan to serve it. This way, you'll still enjoy the convenience of a shortcut and savor the freshly cooked pasta texture that everyone loves.
Storage
If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat in the microwave oven or on the stovetop with a bit of extra liquid (milk or broth).
Unfortunately, this dish doesn't freeze well, and it's best enjoyed fresh.
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 and ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Brown the ground beef and use a spatula or spoon to break the meat up into small pieces.
- Drain the fat from the meat, reserving 2 tablespoon of fat to sauté the onions. Transfer the cooked ground beef into a bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the onions for 4-5 minutes of until translucent.
- Add the flour to the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste from the flour. Stir in the heavy cream and mix well with the flour to form the roux for the sauce. It will be a little lumpy at first but will loosen up as you stir.
- Once the roux is ready add the ground beef back to the pan along with the broth, tomato sauce, macaroni, and spices. Bring the mixture to a low simmer and cover with a lid. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles are covered with sauce and cook evenly and nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Stir in the cheese and once it has melted you can dish up and serve the pasta.
Lana
This recipe is seriously good! And easy!!!