Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Pasta and ground beef are sautĆ©ed and covered in a creamy tomato & cheese sauce for a satisfying version of this classic dinner idea.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Close-Up View of Homemade Hamburger Helper](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-12.jpeg)
Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper happens to hold a special place in my heart. Itās one of the first things I learned to make when I moved out on my own at 19. It was something we could afford and I loved finding ways to doctor it up and add more flavor to the boxed version.
These days, we make Homemade Hamburger Helper and my kiddos call it Cheeseburger Pasta! This hamburger helper is so creamy, packed with beef-y flavor and filled with cheesy bites of pasta all mixed together. This recipe is one of our kids favorite weeknight dinners. It happens to also be one of my favorites as well, since it is budget friendly and so simple to make!
Prefer to use your instant pot? Check out my Instant Pot Hamburger Helper!
Watch How To Make It
Want to see how to make this easy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe from start to finish? Hereās a step-by-step video:
What I Love About This Recipe
The list could go on and on, but here are my top 5 reasons:
- Affordable: Budget friendly dinner is becoming more and more important as grocery store prices are seemingly always going up! This recipe is simple and utilizes many pantry staples and affordable ingredients to keep it easy on your wallet.
- Quick and Easy: This is a simple recipe that is ready in just 30 minutes!
- One Pot: The noodles cook right in the skillet with everything else, making this an easy one-pot dinner. Who doesnāt love an easy clean up?
- Hearty and Filling: When I make this for dinner, everyone has nice full bellies! With all the ground beef and hearty cheese, dinner is sure to not leave anyone hungry.
- From Scratch: While this recipe is quick and easy, it is also made fresh ingredients like heavy cream and lots of real cheddar cheese.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! A pot of homemade hamburger helper with a wooden spoon.](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-14.jpeg)
Recipe Ingredients
For the full ingredient amounts, head to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post:
- Ground Beef: Feel free to substitute lean ground beef for another ground meat like chicken or turkey to change it up!
- Chopped Onion: I use a sweet yellow onion to balance out the savory flavors in this dish.
- Minced Garlic
- All Purpose Flour
- Beef Broth: You can also use another broth of choice.
- Tomato Sauce
- Seasonings: Italian Seasoning, Seasoned Salt, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper.
- Pasta Shells: This recipe works with elbow pasta as well.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream will give you the creamiest results, however you can swap it for half and half or evaporated milk.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Or whatever kind of shredded cheese you enjoy!
What Kind of Pasta to Use
Small shells or elbow pasta work best for this recipe. If you donāt have either or those, any small noodle will do. You could even make this hamburger helper with penne if you really wanted to. I like to use the shells because theyāre good at absorbing the creamy tomato sauce.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! A bowl of ground beef next to shredded cheese, pasta shells and spices.](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-3.jpeg)
How to Make Hamburger Helper
Dinner is ready in just a few quick steps! Have all your ingredients out and ready as this dish moves fast.
Cook Beef: In a large sautƩ pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Remove cooked ground beef from the pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
SautƩ Onion & Garlic: Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Ingredients You'll Need to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-3-600x900.jpeg)
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Beef Broth for Hamburger Helper](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-5-600x900.jpeg)
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Pasta for Hamburger Helper](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-7-600x900.jpeg)
Add Flour & Broth: Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute. Slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Cook Pasta: Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and pasta, stirring to combine. Cover with the lid and sautƩ for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Pouring Cream into Pasta](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-9-600x900.jpeg)
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Pasta with Sauce, Cream and Cheese](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-10-600x900.jpeg)
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta in a Bowl](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-11-600x900.jpeg)
Add Cream & Cheese:Ā Add in the cream and cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted.
Add Beef: Add the ground beef back in and cook for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately!
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! A Pan Filled With Homemade Hamburger Helper](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-1.jpeg)
Tips, Tricks and Variations
This recipe is super simple, but here are a few tips and suggestions to guarantee your success:
- Gluten Free: If you need to make this dish gluten free, you can swap the pasta for your favorite gluten free pasta. Most gluten free pasta needs a little longer to cook and sometimes needs a little extra broth, so keep this in mind. Also, instead of using flour, make a cornstarch slurry to thicken it instead. Once your pasta is cooked, whisk 2 teaspoons cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water and then stir it into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, until thickened and then continue on with recipe.
- Different Cheese: If you want to change up the flavor, the easiest way to do that is to use a different type of cheese. While cheddar cheese is traditional, something like smoked gouda or a white cheddar can change it up from time to time!
- Pasta ā Half The Box: Keep in mind that this recipe only uses 8 oz (half of a 1 lb box) of pasta shells. If you use more, you will need more liquid to cook your noodles. If your noodles are not cooked through but your running out of liquid, you can always add a little more beef broth as they cook.
- Spicy: Want to add some heat? You can add some crushed red pepper flakes for mild heat, or cayenne pepper for a good punch of heat! I have also made a Tex-Mex version where I stir in a can of the Hot version of Rotel!
What to serve with Hamburger Helper?
This cheesy homemade hamburger helper is really a one pot dish! You donāt have to serve anything on the side if you donāt want to, itās filling enough on itās own! However, if you are like me, I like to have a little something green with every meal. So we often serve this recipe with a side salad, like my favorite Greek Salad, or some Air Fryer Asparagus or SautĆ©ed Green Beans.
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Cheeseburger pasta on a fork over a skillet filled with pasta.](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-13.jpg)
Can I make this recipe ahead?
I would not recommend trying to make this homemade hamburger helper recipe ahead. This recipe is best served fresh right off the stove. When it sits and is allowed to cool, the pasta will soak up the extra liquid and it wonāt be as wonderful as it is fresh. The leftovers are still good, just not AS good as they are fresh off the stove.
However, if you want to meal prep before a busy week, you can always sautƩ the ground beef and onion/garlic before hand. Store them in ziplock bags in the fridge and have them ready to go later in the week for an even quicker dinner!
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Fridge: Store your leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can reheat your hamburger helper on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash or two of broth to bring back its creaminess.
Freezer: If you want to freeze it, make sure you let it cool completely and then store it in an airtight freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating, for best results!
![Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger HelperĀ recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Homemade hamburger helper in a bowl with a napkin and a skillet with a spoon in the background.](https://thenovicechefblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Homemade-Hamburger-Helper-2.jpg)
More Easy 30 Minute Dinners
Looking for more easy dinner recipes that are ready in 30 minutes? Check out these other reader favorites:
Yield: 4
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Pasta and ground beef are sautƩed and covered in a creamy tomato & cheese sauce for a satisfying version of Homemade Hamburger Helper! Made in one pot, in just 30 minutes, this just might be your new favorite family dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- Ā½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Ā½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz small pasta shells, or elbow pasta
- Ā½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
InstructionsĀ
-
In a large sautƩ pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Remove cooked ground beef from pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
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Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds.
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Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute, slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
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Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine. Cover with lid and sautƩ for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally.
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Add in the cream and cheese and stir until all the cheese melted. Add back in ground beef, cook for 2 to 3 minutes more to re-heat ground beef and serve immediately!
Notes
Pasta Shells: This recipe works with elbow pasta as well. You want to make sure you are using Ā a similar size for the liquid ratio to work out. If your noodles are not cooked through but your running out of liquid, you can always add a little more beef broth as they cook.
Gluten Free: If you need to make this dish gluten free, you can swap the pasta for your favorite gluten free pasta. Most gluten free pasta needs a little longer to cook and sometimes needs a little extra broth, so keep this in mind. Also, instead of using flour, make a cornstarch slurry to thicken it instead. Once your pasta is cooked, whisk 2 teaspoons cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water and then stir it into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, until thickened and then continue on with recipe.
Spicy: Want to add some heat? You can add some crushed red pepper flakes for mild heat, or cayenne pepper for a good punch of heat! I have also made a Tex-Mex version where I stir in a can of the Hot version of Rotel!
Storage: Store your leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat: You can reheat your hamburger helper on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash or two of broth to bring back its creaminess.
Freeze: If you want to freeze it, make sure you let it cool completely and then store it in an airtight freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating, for best results!
Nutrition
Serving: 1, Calories: 738kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 49g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 160mg, Sodium: 1261mg, Potassium: 910mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1137IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 461mg, Iron: 4mg
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