Transform a pound of ground beef into something special with this Homemade Hamburger Helper. It’s a kid-friendly dish that’s rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor.
This easy hamburger helper is ready to serve in just 30 minutes! Serve it on a weeknight with a fresh garden salad.
What Is A Homemade Hamburger Helper?
This copycat of the popular boxed hamburger helper features ground beef, pasta, veggies, tomato sauce, shredded cheese, and seasonings. It’s delicious and much healthier!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- lean ground beef
- yellow onion
- garlic
- all-purpose flour
- beef broth
- tomato sauce
- seasoned salt
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- pasta shells
- heavy cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Hamburger Helper
- Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the flour and cook, stirring for about 1 minute.
- Slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Pour in the tomato sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pasta, stirring to combine. Cover and sauté for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the heavy cream and shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the ground beef and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until hot throughout. Season to taste, serve, and enjoy!
Tips And Tricks
- Ground chicken, turkey, pork, or lamb can be used in place of the beef.
- Make it your own by using your favorite blend of seasonings.
- Use any kind of shredded sharp cheese. Gruyere and Monterey Jack are good options.
- Instead of pasta shells, try any kind of small pasta like macaroni.
How To Store Homemade Hamburger Helper
Leftover hamburger helper should be cooled to room temperature and then placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To freeze homemade hamburger helper, place it in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Frozen leftovers should be thawed in the fridge overnight.
Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through or in the microwave at reduced power until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if needed.
How To Serve Homemade Hamburger Helper
It is delicious on its own or served alongside a fresh garden salad, sauteed veggies, thick slices of crusty bread, or crisp garlic bread.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 8- ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups pasta shells
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until cooked through. Transfer to a plate, leaving 2 tablespoons of beef fat in the pan.
- Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Then add the flour and cook, stirring for about 1 minute.
- Slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Pour in the tomato sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and pasta, stirring to combine. Cover and sauté for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add the heavy cream and shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted. Add the ground beef and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until hot throughout.
- Season to taste, serve, and enjoy!
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