Why We Like This Recipe for Homemade Hamburger Helper

This homemade Hamburger Helper is full of fresh flavors and creamy goodness. Forget the boxed kind! We both have fond memories of hamburger helper because the boxed kind was one of our main meals when we first got married. We quickly realized that making it from scratch made it taste a lot better, and we’ve been doing it that way ever since! We think you’ll love this simple recipe for these reasons:

The homemade cheese sauce in this hamburger helper recipe is what makes it stand out. It’s made with heavy cream and real cheddar cheese, which makes it so creamy.
Just as quick and easy: Everything is cooked together in one skillet, just like the boxed version, and it’s ready in 30 minutes. Hooray for easy cleaning!
Cheap: This recipe is easy on your wallet because it uses common pantry items and inexpensive ingredients.
Hearty: This is one of those great dinners that everyone wants seconds of because it’s so good. Our kids are always arguing over the last piece!

Reader Review of the Week

I’m eating a bowl of this right now, and it’s so good! Plus, it’s quick and easy to make. It’s just right because of the smoked paprika. It’s what I always wanted the box version to be like.– Jourdan

Homemade Hamburger Helper ⭐️Test Kitchen Approved!⭐️

This easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe only takes 30 minutes and one pot to make. It’s sure to become a new family favorite! Every bite has soft pasta and tasty ground beef covered in a thick, creamy tomato and cheese sauce.

Time to get ready: 5 minutes
Time to cook: 25 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Important Parts

Here are some helpful notes about the main ingredients in this homemade hamburger helper recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below!

Ingredients Notes:

Ground Beef: I like lean ground beef best, but any ground meat will do, like ground turkey or chicken. If you use a cut with more fat, get rid of any extra grease.
All-Purpose Flour: If you want a gluten-free option, look in the “Cook’s Notes” section below.
Small Pasta Shells: Elbow macaroni noodles also work well with this recipe. To get the best pasta to sauce ratio, use a small pasta that fits in your mouth.
Heavy cream will give you the creamiest results, but you can also use half and half or even evaporated milk.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: I think freshly shredded cheese works better than cheese that comes in a bag. The cheese in the bag has anti-caking agents on it that will make the sauce thicker than it needs to be. You might want to add a little extra cream or broth to the sauce to make it thinner if you do use it.

◯ 1 pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey
◯ 1 large yellow onion, diced
◯ 1 clove of garlic, minced
◯ 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
◯ 2 cups of low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
◯ 1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce
◯ 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
◯ 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
◯ ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika
◯ ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
◯ 8 oz of small elbow pasta or small pasta shells (8 oz is half of a normal 1 lb box of pasta).
◯ ½ cup of heavy cream or half and half
◯ 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
◯ salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Hamburger Helper at Home

In just a few easy steps, you can make this at home! Get all your ingredients ready ahead of time because this dish cooks quickly. Here’s a quick look at the recipe, but for full instructions and to watch the step-by-step video, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Put the ground beef in a big sauté pan with a lid and cook it over medium-high heat. Take the cooked ground beef out of the pan and set it aside. Leave 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
Set the heat to medium and add the onion. For about five minutes, cook the onion until it is soft. For the last 30 seconds, add the garlic.
Add the flour and stir for about a minute. Then, slowly add the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta. Stir to mix. Cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is soft, stirring every so often. If your noodles aren’t fully cooked and you’re running out of liquid, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup more broth as needed.
Stir in the cream and cheese until all the cheese has melted. Add the ground beef back in and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to reheat it. Then serve right away!

Add salt and pepper to taste and serve right away!

Notes

Storage: This cheeseburger macaroni recipe is best served fresh because the noodles will soak up the broth when they are stored. But the leftovers are still good for lunch the next day. You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to four days if you put them in an airtight container.
Reheat: You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. To make it creamy again, add a little broth and/or heavy cream.
Make Double: Are you feeding a lot of people or a big family? To make this hamburger helper recipe twice or even three times as much, use a big pot with deep sides, like a Dutch oven.
If you can’t eat gluten, use your favorite gluten-free pasta and cornstarch instead of flour. Remember that gluten-free pasta takes a little longer to cook and needs a little more broth. Add 2 teaspoons of cornstarch to 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the skillet after the pasta has finished cooking. Cook for 2 minutes, or until it thickens, and then move on with the recipe.
Want to add some heat? For a little heat, you can add crushed red pepper flakes. For a lot of heat, you can add cayenne pepper.

Chef’s Advice and Changes

Different Cheeses: I like to change things up sometimes, even though cheddar cheese is the most common. You can try different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, white cheddar, or even pepper jack for a little kick.
For mild heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce. For a stronger kick of heat, add cayenne pepper. I also make a Tex-Mex version with an extra can of the spicy Rotel!
Add Veggies: Adding finely chopped carrots, spinach, or peas to the dish will give it more nutrition.
Sour Cream: A lot of people have said that you can add a half cup of sour cream at the end, right before serving, to make the sauce even creamier.
Make Double: Do you have a lot of people to feed? To make this hamburger helper recipe twice or even three times, use a big pot with deep sides, like a Dutch oven.
If you want to make this gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pasta and cornstarch instead of flour. Keep in mind that most gluten-free pasta takes a little longer to cook and needs a little extra broth. Whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of water and add it to the skillet after the pasta is done cooking. Cook for 2 minutes, or until it thickens, and then follow the rest of the recipe.

If you need to, add more broth!

You might need to add a little more broth, depending on the kind of noodles, the skillet, and how high you turn up the heat. Add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of broth if your noodles aren’t fully cooked and you don’t have enough liquid.

What goes well with Hamburger Helper?

You don’t need any sides with this filling cheeseburger hamburger helper recipe. I like to serve it with a side salad, though, like my favorite Greek salad or a cool cucumber tomato salad. These sautéed green beans or sautéed Brussels sprouts are great on the side to add some extra greens. Don’t forget to get some garlic bread or homemade garlic knots to soak up the sauce!

What to do with leftovers?

Refrigerator: This homemade hamburger helper recipe is best when it’s fresh, just like the original. You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to four days, though, if you put them in an airtight container. After being heated up again, they won’t be as saucy.
Reheat: To try to get the creamy texture back, reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of cream or broth.