Description
Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, tender noodles, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying dinner that’s better than the boxed version—perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for added creaminess)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in beef broth, milk, uncooked macaroni, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Add sour cream if using for extra richness.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter option.
- This dish reheats well, making it great for leftovers or meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, cheesy beef pasta, one pot dinner, easy weeknight meal, creamy pasta skillet