Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (2024)

Home Beef Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

By Natasha

Aug 03, 2022, Updated Feb 22, 2024

4.91

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This easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe has ground beef, macaroni, and a flavorful cheesy cheddar sauce! It’s total comfort food that’s inexpensive and ready in about 30 minutes.

Try my Simple Ground Beef Casserole or Simple Chili Mac next.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (2)

Why you’ll love it

When I was little, my mom made everything from scratch. I do fondly remember a few boxed meals from visiting friends’ houses in the ’90s, though. One was Hamburger Helper, and that brings up all the nostalgia. Naturally, I had to recreate an even better Hamburger Helper from scratch! I like mine because you have total control over the seasonings and know exactly what goes into it.

This ground beef recipe is super simple to make with affordable pantry ingredients, doesn’t take much longer than the packaged kind, and it’s cooked all in one pot for fewer dishes. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with eating packaged foods every now and then, but a LOT of people crave homemade Hamburger Helper, so I am here to bring you the best version.

What you’ll need

  • Ground beef – I like to use extra lean ground beef, at least 90%
  • Onion – our kitchen prefers Vidalia (sweet) onions
  • Tomato paste – it’s an easy, economical way to get concentrated tomato flavor
  • Garlic powder and chili powder – our simple seasoning blend to infuse savory flavor, and they’re ingredients I always keep in my pantry
  • Elbow macaroni – the classic pasta shape for this
  • Beef broth – for a deeper, richer flavor to the sauce
  • Sharp cheddar cheese – my version of Hamburger Helper has no milk to make it that much easier, and the cheddar makes the dish creamy enough all on its own!
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (3)

Pro tip

One pot recipes can vary depending on your particular stove and ingredients, so if you seem to be running out of liquid with a lot of time still left, feel free to add in a bit more. Try 1/2 cup at a time.

How to make Hamburger Helper

This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (4)

Start by browning the beef and onion in a large pot and draining any excess fat, then stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder. Add in the beef broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s boiling, stir in the uncooked macaroni.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (5)

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is soaked up. Grate the cheddar while it’s simmering away. Stir in the cheese, and season to taste with salt & pepper.

Tools for this recipe

Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!

Substitutions and variations

  • Feel free to tweak seasonings to your tastes. You can always increase the chili powder, add some hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes, more garlic, and so on to make it perfect for your taste buds!
  • Some readers like to sneak in a bit of spinach. Just add it in near the end of the cooking time until it wilts. Finely chopped bell peppers would work great as well.
  • If you want to jazz it up, change up the cheese variety. Monterey Jack, smoked cheddar, etc. make some fun variations.
  • You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead if that’s more your thing.
  • If you want to use another pasta shape (e.g. shells), you may need to adjust liquid measurements and/or cooking time (this has only been tested with macaroni).

What to serve with Hamburger Helper

  • It’s definitely a meal in and of itself, but it would go great with a salad on the side. Try one with my Simple Homemade Ranch Dressing or Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing.
  • Making Extra Cheesy Garlic Bread at home is another fantastic pairing everyone will devour.
  • Want to serve it with some veggies? These Easy Roasted Green Beans are a cinch to make and caramelized to perfection.

Leftovers and storage

  • Leftovers of this Hamburger Helper will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container, but keep in mind that the pasta will continue to absorb the broth over time. It’ll still be tasty, though.
  • Reheat in a small saucepan over a low heat for best results, giving it the occasional stir, and warm it through. Add in a splash of beef broth to thin it if desired.
  • I don’t recommend freezing leftovers. Cooked pasta doesn’t have the same texture once thawed.

More family friendly recipes

  • Instant Pot Hamburger Mac and Cheese
  • Easy Sloppy Joe Recipe
  • Tater Tot Casserole
  • Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta
  • Cheeseburger Soup
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (6)

Let me know if you give this cheesy Hamburger Helper recipe a go!Questions? Made it? As always, I love it when you leave me comments.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (7)

4.91 from 321 votes

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

By Natasha Bull

This easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe has ground beef, macaroni, and a flavorful cheesy cheddar sauce! It's total comfort food that's inexpensive and ready in about 30 minutes.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound extra lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the beef and onions to a soup pot. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef has browned (about 7-10 minutes), breaking the meat up with your spoon as you go along. If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.

  • Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder.

  • Add in the beef broth and increase the heat to high. Once it starts boiling, add in the macaroni.

  • Reduce the heat so it's not furiously boiling (a rapid simmer is good). I ended up cooking mine over medium heat. Let it cook uncovered until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 13-15 minutes). I stir it every couple of minutes.

  • While it's cooking, grate the cheese (this saves prep time at the start of the recipe).

  • Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt & pepper as needed. I let it sit for a couple minutes prior to serving (soaks up the sauce and flavors more), but you can serve it right away.

Notes

  • Serves 4-6 depending on the portion size.
  • As with any one pot meal, ingredients and stoves vary. If you’re running out of liquid (like it’s in danger of sticking and burning) when you still have a while to go before the pasta is done, feel free to add in more liquid, 1/2 cup at a time.

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 44g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 130mg, Sodium: 1106mg, Potassium: 624mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 640IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 437mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.

Leave a star rating and comment below!

This recipe was originally published on January 17, 2020. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!

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Hi! I’m Natasha.

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707 Comments

  1. Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (9)
    Made this last night and it was delicious! Husband loved it too. I didn’t have elbow pasta and used 2 cups of rigatoni instead. I will say it needed a lot more liquid and time to cook. But turned out great!

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad it worked out, Julianne! Yes – swapping for rigatoni would definitely need more liquid, but I am glad you were able to tweak it on the fly! Thanks for your review! 😀

      Reply

  2. Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (10)
    It came out just like the store bought. Actually better!! Thank you for the recipe!! I will add more noodles next time, because we all wanted seconds.

    Reply

    1. That’s awesome!! 😀 Thank you!

      Reply

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What to add to Hamburger Helper to make it taste better? ›

Seasonings: the true healthy hamburger helper taste comes from paprika, dried oregano, and plenty of salt and pepper. Pasta: the star of the show! I used pipe rigate pasta because I love how the sauce gets into every little nook and cranny of the noodle. Cheese: don't forget plenty of sharp cheddar cheese.

How to make a boxed Hamburger Helper? ›

Cooking Instructions

Stir: Stir in water, milk, Sauce Mix and Pasta. Heat to boiling. Simmer: Reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Do you double ingredients for 2 boxes of Hamburger Helper? ›

We don't recommend preparing more than two boxes at a time. To make two boxes, follow the range top directions, but use double the amount of added ingredients listed in the directions for one box (margarine and water, for example).

Can I use broth instead of water in Hamburger Helper? ›

Broth: Rather than using water, incorporate more flavor into the recipe by cooking the helper in 4 cups of beef broth. You can use chicken broth if preferred. Water: We will use some water though. Add 1 cup.

How do you make Hamburger Helper taste less bland? ›

How do I make Hamburger Helper taste better? Add fresh vegetables to the dish. Brown the ground beef and saute some onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and garlic on the side. Make the sauce, add the veggies and simmer until it is done.

Are you supposed to season meat for Hamburger Helper? ›

It's best to season the ground beef before browning it for Hamburger Helper. This allows the flavors of the seasonings to infuse into the meat as it cooks, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

How to jazz up Hamburger Helper? ›

Some ideas that you can try in small batches instead of the whole dish:
  1. Mix in some chopped tomatoes (canned and drained or fresh) and maybe sour cream, ricotta or plain yogurt. ...
  2. I love to mix in frozen peas when I cook my hamburger helper.
Jan 14, 2022

Why was Hamburger Helper discontinued? ›

High-end consumers are shifting toward fresher items with fewer processed ingredients while cost-conscious shoppers are buying inexpensive store brands. The makers of staples including Chef Boyardee canned pasta and Hamburger Helper meal kits failed to spot the threat and didn't innovate in time.

What are the ingredients in Hamburger Helper? ›

ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MODIFIED WHEY, CORN STARCH, SALT, WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, CHEDDAR CHEESE* (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), PALM OIL, CITRIC ACID, VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER OIL), ONION*, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR ...

What thickens Hamburger Helper? ›

Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Turn off heat, cover, and let set for 5 minutes (this helps the sauce thicken up).

How much water and milk do you use for 2 Hamburger Helper? ›

Add 2 1/4 cups of milk and 2 2/3 cups of hot water to the pan, along with the pasta and seasoning mix from the Hamburger Helper package.

Can you skip milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water. Betty's Emrgency Substitutions page suggests a substitution for a cup of milk: 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package.

What meat goes with Hamburger Helper? ›

Ground beef gives this dish that classic Hamburger Helper flavor and adds lots of protein to your dinner. You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead if you prefer.

What spices do you add to Hamburger Helper? ›

Spices and herbs: spices and herbs are the best way to improve the flavors of any dish. Add cumin, cayenne, paprika, or Italian herbs to the hamburger helper to make it taste better.

What to add to Hamburger Helper stroganoff to make it taste better? ›

I'm not big on mushrooms and the like, so my usual goto of spicing it up is to add the meat, then garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, pinch of paprika(sometimes none), small amount of cavenders, and occasionally, if Im in a sweet mood, brown sugar.

How to make Hamburger Helper tastier? ›

Other Additions
  1. Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory, umami flavor.
  2. Hot Sauce: For those who like it spicy.
  3. Sour Cream: Makes the sauce creamier.
  4. Heavy Cream: Adds a rich and indulgent creaminess.
  5. Broth or Stock: Instead of water, use beef stock or beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth to add depth.
Apr 28, 2024

What can I add to hamburger to make it taste better? ›

A quick aioli or special sauce makes a great addition to burgers. "A really simple and delicious special sauce is creme fraîche, mayonnaise, a dash of maple syrup, and a little bit of ketchup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice all blended up," Acheson said.

How do you upgrade a cheeseburger in Hamburger Helper? ›

Adding all the things you find in or on a Cheeseburger, Onions garlic, peppers, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes & a variety of cheeses. My husband suggested the name LOADED, & I added OVER THE TOP, because for me it was the best Cheeseburger Helper I have ever eaten or made.

What can you add to bring out the Flavour of food? ›

Here are some of the magic ingredients that our food editors claim will add extra flavour to any meal.
  • Stock. Using stock adds a depth and richness to cooking that both compliments and brings out the flavour of a dish. ...
  • Basil. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Sriracha. ...
  • Paprika. ...
  • Vinegar. ...
  • Lemon. ...
  • Coriander.

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