One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

This one-pot hamburger helper is a cozy comfort food filled with al dente macaroni noodles and crumbled ground beef in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s the perfect 30-minute meal for a busy weeknight and is something that the whole family will love!

Easy Copycat Hamburger Helper Recipe

• If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, this dish has all the nostalgia you’re looking for but tastes even better than you remember. And if you didn’t grow up eating this dish, you are in for a real treat! Al dente macaroni noodles are coated in a deliciously creamy, cheesy sauce that has just a bit of a kick along with crumbled ground beef for a filling, easy-to-make meal that your family will love!
• This is another one-pot wonder and it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. I use my large saute pan almost daily for dinner. It’s a total workhorse and it’s perfect for these one-pot pasta dishes. It holds the heat really well so that it browns the ground beef perfectly while cooking deliciously al dente noodles. One pot means fewer dishes for you and more time to hang out and enjoy the evening!

Ingredients to Make Hamburger Helper

• Onion & Garlic: Yellow onion and finely minced or grated garlic create a delicious flavor base for this recipe. You can substitute it with white onion. Try 3/4 of a teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the fresh garlic.
• Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is the secret ingredient to get that “cooked all day” flavor in just 30 minutes. It adds just the right hint of tomato flavor without being overpowering.
• Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder are my go-to spices for the classic flavors of hamburger helper. The garlic powder and onion powder enhance the flavors of the fresh onion and garlic. And the chili powder adds just a hint of heat and smokiness.
• Ground Beef: I like to use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef. Remember that fat equals flavor. Using leaner ground beef means you’ll be sacrificing in the flavor department.
• Elbow Macaroni: I love to use large elbow macaroni for this hamburger pasta but you can use your favorite short cut of pasta for this dish.
• Beef Broth: Beef broth is the perfect cooking liquid to get the pasta perfectly al dente while coating the pasta in a creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: The heavy cream is the key to getting that perfect creamy sauce. You can substitute with half and half but the consistency will be thinner.
• Mild or Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Feel free to use your favorite melty cheddar for this recipe. Shred it yourself for maximum meltiness and flavor. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in cellulose which prevents them from clumping but also prevents them from melting. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, or Colby Jack are some of my favorites.

How to Make Hamburger Helper

Saute onion, garlic, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder in a large saute pan with salt and pepper.

Add ground beef and brown, crumbling with a spatula, until cooked through.

Add elbow macaroni noodles, beef broth, heavy cream, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper.

Mix until well combined and the noodles are submerged.

Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Cover and simmer for another 5 minutes or until the noodles are cooked al dente.

Stir in shredded cheese.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Hamburger Helper

• Every pan and stove are different which is why I like to cook this hamburger helper with the lid off for the first 5 minutes, and then finish it with the lid on. This allows the noodles to cook in the broth and cream for the first half of the cooking process, and then covering it traps the steam to cook the noodles the rest of the way. This means you’ll end up with perfectly al dente noodles in a deliciously creamy sauce.
• If it seems like you’re noodles aren’t cooked yet and there’s not much liquid left, add a couple splashes of broth/water/cream.
• I like a noodle-heavy hamburger pasta. If you prefer to have more beef and fewer noodles, reduce the amount of broth to 3 cups and the amount of pasta to 8 oz. Then just cook as instructed.
• You can skip the cheese if you want! I love the extra flavor that mild cheddar or sharp cheddar adds, but this homemade hamburger helper actually tastes really great without it too! I tested this recipe a couple times without the cheese and while I do like it more with the cheese (hello, I was born in Wisconsin!) the flavors are really delicious without it as well.

FAQ

What is the point of Hamburger Helper?

The point is to stretch a pound of ground beef as far as you can. By adding noodles and creamy sauce you’re taking ground beef that might normally make 4 meals and turning it into a hearty meal that will easily feed a large family.

How much ground beef is needed for hamburger helper?

One pound of ground beef is all that’s needed for hamburger helper. This makes it one of my personal favorites when I’m trying to use up ground beef before its expiration date!

Does Hamburger Helper thicken as it cools?

Yes! The starch from the pasta causes this creamy sauce to thicken considerably as it cools. No worries, though. All you have to do is add a splash or two of cream or broth when you’re reheating the hamburger pasta and it will loosen right up.

Why is Hamburger Helper so good?

What’s not to love?! Al dente macaroni noodles and ground beef in a cheesy, creamy sauce – and it cooks all in one pot!? It’s basically a busy mom’s weeknight dinner dream and the best part is that the flavors are so amazing your family will love it too!

Making Hamburger Helper Ahead of Time

Hamburger Helper is a delicious make-ahead meal as it will stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. While the sauce does thicken as it cools, it’s super easy to refresh with a splash of cream or broth.

Storing Leftover Hamburger Helper

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing Hamburger Helper

Freeze hamburger helper in an airtight container or freezer-safe Ziploc bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating Hamburger Helper

Reheat leftover hamburger helper in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Or reheat in the microwave in 30-60 second increments until warmed through. Season to taste before serving.

Try These Ground Beef Recipes Next!

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