Print

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 110 reviews

This Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting and easy one-pan meal featuring ground beef simmered with pasta in a rich, cheesy tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this version uses simple pantry ingredients to deliver the creamy, flavorful goodness of the classic boxed dish but without any unnecessary preservatives or additives.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, or ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids

  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth, or chicken broth
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup heavy cream, or half and half

Pasta and Cheese

  • 8 oz small pasta shells, or small elbow pasta
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add Flour and Seasonings: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the cooked meat mixture and stir to combine. This will help thicken the sauce later. Then, add the Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices.
  3. Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth) and tomato sauce. Stir to blend everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the pasta shells. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
  4. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the heavy cream (or half and half) to add creaminess. Then, remove the skillet from heat and fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
  5. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot for a delicious, hearty meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  • For a lower-fat version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduced-fat cheese.
  • Make sure to stir occasionally while cooking the pasta to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat easily on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Homemade Hamburger Helper, Ground Beef Pasta, One-Pan Meal, Cheesy Pasta, Weeknight Dinner

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/