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Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 99 reviews
  • Author: Anna
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish that combines ground meat, tender pasta, and rich flavors in a single skillet. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a quick family meal, customizable with your favorite seasonings and cheeses.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, or ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Liquids and Pasta

  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth, or chicken broth
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 8 oz small pasta shells, or small elbow pasta

Dairy and Cheese

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, or half and half
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Additional Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: In a large sauté pan with a lid, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Remove the cooked beef and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
  2. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Lower the heat to medium, add the diced onion, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic for the last 30 seconds.
  3. Make Roux: Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
  4. Add Broth and Simmer: Slowly stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Then, add the tomato sauce, seasonings, and pasta. Stir to combine.
  5. Cook Pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. If noodles aren’t fully cooked or liquid is low, add extra broth as needed.
  6. Add Dairy and Cheese: Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
  7. Reheat Ground Beef and Serve: Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, stir to reheat, and cook for 2-3 minutes more. Serve hot immediately.

Notes

  • Storage: Best enjoyed fresh as noodles soak up liquid when stored. Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Warm on stove or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
  • Scaling: Double or triple the recipe using a large Dutch oven for larger gatherings.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and substitute flour with cornstarch (2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) for thickening, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Spice Variations: Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, or chopped hot Rotel for extra heat.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 890mg
  • Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 90mg