Homemade Hamburger Helper

Deciding what to make for dinner is hard enough already. Little Susie likes only chicken nuggets, little Bobby doesn’t eat anything green and your spouse is still holding on to their childhood aversion to onions. Combine these factors with the exorbitant cost of groceries and it’s enough to leave anyone feeling deflated and defeated in the middle of the produce section. Thankfully, solutions like this homemade Hamburger Helper recipe are here to save the day (and your wallet).

This one-pot recipe isn’t just affordable and easy to make but is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will satisfy everyone at your table. While you could grab a box of Hamburger Helper off the shelf, we love this made-from-scratch copycat recipe because it’s every bit as flavorful and creamy as the original but skips all the mystery additives and preservatives. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “I bet homemade Hamburger Helper takes way longer to prepare.” Nope! This is a 30-minute meal your family will love.

Lesson of the day: Quick and affordable comfort food doesn’t have to come from a box. The next time you’re feeling a little lost with meal planning, head to the store with this recipe in your back pocket. It will never steer you wrong.

Ingredients for Homemade Hamburger Helper

• Onion: For maximum family appeal, we finely dice the onions as small as possible for this recipe, making them nearly imperceptible to even the most ardent of onion avoiders.
• Ground beef: For the best taste and texture, choose 1 pound of ground beef with a fat content of 15 percent or less. While higher-fat options are flavorful, they may cause the sauce to taste overly greasy in this ground beef recipe.
• Seasoning: A blend of salt, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder and ground mustard is the secret to replicating the iconic flavor of the boxed Hamburger Helper.
• Tomato paste: Just a smidge of tomato paste adds a hint of robust tomato flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have tomato paste, try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of ketchup as an alternative. Tomato paste might be worth grabbing, though, especially because there are so many other delicious recipes to make with tomato paste—and you’ll definitely have extra.
• Beef broth: Using beef broth rather than water infuses the pasta and sauce with extra-rich, beefy flavor.
• Milk: A touch of milk adds extra richness to the sauce. You may use whatever type of milk your family drinks at home.
• Elbow macaroni: Humble elbow macaroni is the classic noodle shape for making our old-fashioned homemade Hamburger Helper recipe.
• Heavy cream: This ingredient makes the sauce infinitely richer and creamier—and velvety smooth. It’s the ingredient that will make you never go back to the boxed version again.
• Cheddar cheese: For the best taste, opt for an extra sharp cheddar cheese to give the sauce as much cheese flavor as possible. We also highly recommend grating the cheese fresh from the block, if possible.
• Parsley: A sprinkle of vibrant, green parsley is the perfect way to add a touch of color and freshness before serving this homemade cheeseburger Hamburger Helper.

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

Step 1: Cook the onions and beef

In a large pot set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and onions. Saute until the onions begin to soften, two to three minutes. Add the beef and season with the salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder and ground mustard. Cook until evenly brown, breaking up the meat into small crumbles as it cooks, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the pasta

Add the tomato paste and stir to coat the beef. Cook for one to two minutes until fragrant. Add the uncooked pasta and pour in the broth and milk. Stir to combine, then bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring often, for 8 to 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.

Editor’s Tip: To ensure even cooking, stir often once you add the pasta and liquids to the pot.

Step 3: Stir in the cream and cheese

While cooking over low heat, stir in the cream. Next, slowly add the cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until completely melted before adding the next handful.

Editor’s Tip: Give the pasta mixture a taste and feel free to season with additional salt, pepper and/or chili powder to taste.

Step 4: Serve

Divide among bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Variations

• Get creative with mix-ins: This is a great recipe to sneak in some vegetables. Add 1 cup of finely grated carrot, zucchini or yellow squash to the pot along with the pasta for an extra dose of nutrition.
• Spice it up: Add one to two diced jalapeno peppers or a chopped poblano pepper to the recipe for extra heat. Saute with the onions in the first step.
• Use other cheese: Cheddar is the classic choice for homemade cheeseburger Hamburger Helper, but try pepper jack for a little kick or Gruyère, fontina or Parmesan for extra sharpness and a touch of tang. Ultimately, any melting cheese will do nicely.
• Make healthy swaps: You can cut fat and calories from the recipe by swapping in ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. You may also omit the heavy cream in favor of additional milk. The recipe will just not be as rich or creamy.

How to Store Homemade Hamburger Helper

Leftover homemade cheeseburger Hamburger Helper should be stored in an airtight food storage container and kept refrigerated.

How long does homemade Hamburger Helper last?

Homemade Hamburger Helper will stay fresh for three or four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze homemade Hamburger Helper?

Yes! Hamburger Helper makes a terrific make-ahead freezer casserole. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for three to four months. To serve, thaw completely in the refrigerator, then reheat.

If you plan to freeze the Hamburger Helper, slightly undercook the pasta to ensure it does not become too soft or soggy upon thawing and reheating.

How do you reheat homemade Hamburger Helper?

As with many cheesy and creamy pastas and casseroles, rewarming this dish gently and slowly in a skillet over low heat is the best way to rehydrate the pasta and reinvigorate the sauce to make it rich and creamy again. For the best results, add a splash of milk, broth or water to the homemade Hamburger Helper recipe before warming and stir it occasionally until heated through.

Resist the temptation to warm the pasta over low heat or blast it in the microwave. Doing so can cause the sauce to split and become grainy and dry.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Tips

Can you use another type of pasta for homemade Hamburger Helper?

Yes! You can use any short-cut pasta shape you enjoy when making homemade Hamburger Helper. That said, our favorite pastas are those with ridges or a tubular shape, such as penne rigate, rigatoni, cavatappi or radiatori. These features help as much cheesy, spiced sauce cling to the pasta as possible.

What can you serve with homemade Hamburger Helper?

To contrast the rich and creamy sauce of homemade Hamburger Helper, add a fresh garden salad on the side or a side of fresh steamed broccoli or carrots. Consider a batch of soft and fluffy yeast rolls for sopping up the sauce.