Homemade Hamburger Helper
My Homemade Hamburger Helper is easy to make, requires no fancy ingredients, ready in 30 minutes, and is a meal the whole family will love.
We also love this Creamy Taco Soup and Homemade Sloppy Joes for quick and easy meals!
I originally published this recipe in 2014 and have since added new photos and some success tips.
One reader, Anna says “I’ve made this recipe numerous times. We absolutely love it. My twist is adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce.”
Another reader, Rob says “Whole family loved this meal. It was so quick and easy to make and even my fussiest eater cleared his plate!”
Substitutions and Variations for Making Hamburger Helper
Feel free to add in extra vegetables! Grated zucchini, grated carrot, peas, spinach, and fresh tomatoes are all great options for this hamburger helper recipe.
Change up the flavor using different spices or add more. Also, if you don’t like some of the spices listed in the ingredients, feel free to leave them out.
Don’t like cheddar cheese? No problem — this recipe works great with Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or any easy-to-melt cheese.
Readers have used other shapes of pasta without needing to change the liquids.
This recipe also works great with ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. One reader even used lentils for a unique plant-based hamburger helper homemade version.
Brief Overview on How to Make Hamburger Helper
I love how simple and easy it is to make hamburger helper! When browning ground beef, I like to add the seasonings to help awaken their flavor.
However, if you have really fatty beef, I suggest waiting until you drain off the grease before adding in the seasonings so you don’t pour off all those delicious herbs and spices.
Be sure to brown the ground beef really well because this will also add more flavor to the meat and overall dish. It caramelizes the meat and makes it so delicious!
PRO TIP: After you stir in the pasta and let it simmer if the liquid is evaporating too quickly, feel free to add more as needed.
FAQs
No, it is not recommended to freeze this dish as the pasta gets too mushy.
While this tastes best fresh, reheat on the stovetop and add a little broth. Reheat over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning. You can also reheat this in a microwave if preferred.
A traditional homemade hamburger helper recipe will call for ground beef, but as you discovered above, that’s not the only option! You could also use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based protein like lentils.
Serving Suggestions:
My homemade hamburger helper recipe is a great stand alone dish, especially if you have added in extra vegetables. However, it is great with a simple side salad and these Buttermilk Biscuits too!
I have also served it with these Simple Roasted Green Beans which are one of my kid’s favorite vegetables.
And if you are looking for something sweet to add alongside this retro dish, this Creamy Key Lime Fruit Salad is perfect.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500g) lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch to ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cups (355ml) milk
- 1½ cups (355ml) beef broth
- 2 cups (260g) elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 (8oz) (227g) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups (225g) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef, onion, paprika, parsley, garlic powder, cayenne powder, salt and pepper. If using a ground beef with a higher fat content add in the seasonings after draining the grease.1 pound (500g) lean ground beef, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, pinch to ½ teaspoon cayenne powder, salt and pepper to taste
- Stir in the milk, broth, macaroni and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.1½ cups (355ml) milk, 1½ cups (355ml) beef broth, 2 cups (260g) elbow macaroni, uncooked, 1 (8oz) (227g) can tomato sauce
- Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.2 cups (225g) shredded cheddar cheese
Video
Notes
- If using whole wheat elbow pasta you may need to add more liquid while cooking.
- STORAGE: Store cooled hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Nutrition Facts: Nutrition is calculated for the entire batch. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate. This website is not intended as nutritional advice, or a diet or health plan. Readers of this website are ultimately responsible for all decisions pertaining to their health.
Do you use a whole pound of dried pasta?
No, you will need to measure out 2 cups of dry macaroni. I hope you enjoy!
So delicious!! I used ground turkey and chicken stock that was leftover from a chicken I roasted yesterday. Everything else was as is written in the recipe. My picky 12 year old loved it too! Thank you for sharing.
I am so glad you enjoyed this!!! And great substitutions!! 🙂
Do you think it would be okay to substitute the beef broth for chicken broth?
Yes that would be just fine! It will give it a slightly less beefy flavor. Hope you enjoyed!
I have never made a recipe this much from Pinterest! I LOVE it! Perfect comfort food!! I have made it so many times I cant en count! Thank you so much! My husband devours it as well!
Lol, thank you so much! Your comment just made my day!!! 🙂
What can I use in place of tomatoes sauce. I thought I had some but I dont. 🙁
You can use 4 oz of tomato paste mixed with 4 oz of water. If you don’t have tomato paste you can blend 1 cup of canned tomatoes you could also try canned tomato soup. Hope that helps. 🙂
sharp cheddar? Or would mild work too?
Yes, mild would work great! I hope you enjoy!
We are on a week where we have to scrounge for stuff in our cabinets to make. Luckily, I had all the things your recipe asked for. I was scared for a second because I didn’t have beef broth, but I did have beef bouillon cubes. It’s making now and I am excited. Smells so good.
I have been there! So glad you had the ingredients and great save with the beef bouillon!! Hope you enjoy!
I make this all the time…even my dogs love it too. So glad I found this recipe on Pinterest. Thanks for sharing your recipes
Thank you!
Just stumbled upon this on pinterest and made it tonight. Awesome! I used ground turkey because that’s what I had and adobo to season the turkey. Everything else remained the same. I *may* have put in extra cheese. 😉 So super easy!!!! It’s delicious!
I am so happy that you liked it!!! The turkey with adobo sauce sounds delicious and extra cheese is never a bad thing!! 🙂
I never comment but man your recipe was delicious! Thanks for sharing. I improvised and used what I had a bit of tomato paste left and fresh Roma tomatoes cut up with zucchini other than that everything was the same. It’s a hit with the family and of course it’s a proud mommy moment for me. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind comment!!! I am so glad that you and your family enjoyed this, it’s definitely one of our favorites! Thanks again!!
I NEVER comment on recipes that I find via Pinterest. I HAD to comment on this one. What a delicious meal and so similar to the boxed meal I remember from my childhood. The family loved it. Thank you!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!! And thank you so much for commenting, it really made my day!!
This was soo good! I substituted ground turkey because it was on sale & next time I might use a little less cheese but, this was really yummy. We had it last week and it’s on next weeks menu again. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! I’ll have to make it with ground turkey next time! 🙂
Can I use almond milk instead of milk? Will it taste weird? Would I use the same amount?
In my experience with doing things dairy free for my daughter, we used almond milk in every recipe calling for milk and it didn’t make any difference. You would switch it out for exact amount. The only thing it might not do is thicken it as much. But it will still taste good! Hope that helps!
I want to thank you so much for taking the time to answer Jeannine’s question. I don’t have a lot of experience with almond milk so this really helped me out, thanks again!!!
Hi! I tried this tonight and it was delicious. Even without the cheese it’s good. I didn’t have ground beef so I used ground sausage and it was super tasty!!! Thank you Jen and Malinda!
Yeah!!! I am so glad it turned out for you!!!
Thank you for your question. I haven’t substituted almond milk for milk in many recipes, however Jen has a wonderful comment on this subject if you wouldn’t mind reading her comment just below yours. Hope that helps and thanks again! 🙂
This stuff was awesome! We have it regularly. I will say that it is MUCH better to cook meat with onion and spices even if using higher fat meat.
I am so pleased that you liked it!!! Thanks, Mandy 🙂
This looks great! One question… do you think it would freeze well? I’m looking for some dinners that I can make in advance, freeze and just pop in the oven after work. Thanks!
I haven’t froze this particular dish but ones similar without a problem. Thanks for asking and let me know how it turns out!! 🙂
This is absolutely delicious!! A couple months ago I was really craving hamburger helper (weird I know), and I figured there had to be a homemade recipe out there. Oh gosh I’m thankful I found this! My husband asks for it all the time! I’ve made several times in the last couple months, and I’m making it right now! So thank you!!
Thank you so very much for your comment, Jen!! It just made my day!!! 🙂
Oh God I really love macaroni!
I grew up on hamburger helper but haven’t had it in years because the box stuff is so bad for you. I couldn’t believe how similar this tasted! Great recipe. I used whole wheat noddles and needed to add an extra 1/2 cup of beef broth.
I’m so pleased you liked it!! And thanks for sharing about your experience using whole wheat noodles!!
Hi Malinda,
I want to Thank you for sharing your recipe.
I have picky eaters and this recipe was a keeper!!
The taste was incredible!
I had a stress free dinner today!
Thank you
Thank you so much for your comment, Gloria!!! I am so happy you enjoyed it and yes stress free dinners with kiddos are so nice!! 🙂
Hi Malinda, I came across your recipe on Pinterest trying to find a healthier version instead of the boxed kind. My family absolutely loved it! I’ve made a few different versions and yours is by far the best. My husband, a very picky eater, had several servings. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment and I’m so glad you liked it!!
Growing up, I looked forward to having Hamburger Helper! Of course at the time I did not know how unhealthy it was. I just made this today and it tastes just like it, except better! I used whole wheat macaroni and it turned out fine without the need for extra liquid. Also, instead of broth, I used consomme. Thank you for the recipe!
I am so glad you liked it!! Thank you so much for commenting!!
I just made it and doubled the recipe and used Mozarella cheese. Used veggetta powder for stock, and powdered milk mixed in water.i was just out of the originals and It was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing such a keeper recipe. And since I used instant pot pressure cooker, it took 5 minutes to cook!
Wow, that’s great!! I am so glad you liked it!! I may have to get an instant pot one of these days! 🙂
You won’t regret it, the best investment I’ve ever made, I bought two and I use them daily.
How did you make the meat using the pressure cooker, did you brown it first on the stove then put it the cooker with the macaroni and othere ingredients or everything in it meat raw and all?
Hi Dianna, I don’t have experience using an instant pot or pressure cooker so I don’t really feel I could answer that question, sorry! Thanks for asking though! 🙂
Thanks Iman Ali! I will definitely have to consider getting one!! 🙂
When you did it in the pressure pot, did you cook the hamburger first on the skillet before using the pot?
The Instant Pot pressure cooker has a sauté feature, so you brown the meat in the IP before adding the other ingredients.
When you used rhe pressure cooker did you brown your meat first?
I live in Chiang Mai Thailand. Believe it or not we are getting some record cold weather (49F lol). This reminded me of years ago yet a lot more healthy and fun to make. Great dish for on the go folks that want something to heat up when getting home.
I added an additional whole onion, carrot and chopped potato from the market. Mixed in a northern Thai spice sauce as well (bit less then 1 oz, liquid). There is no brand, I grabbed it at a local noodle shop i dine at often. End of they day, a great dish thanks to your effort to post and share.
Look forward to more
Steve
I am so glad you were able to enjoy this and adapt it! Thank you so much for sharing your comment!!
Same here! I loved it as a kid! Thank you for this recipe, I’ve now made it several times and we all LOVE it!
You are so welcome and I’m so glad you enjoy it as much as we do!! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe. I made it today and it is delicious! I added a tablespoon of tomato paste and some Worcestershire sauce (b/c we like it in just about everything). We had fresh steamed broccoli and homemade bread with it. Loved it! Thank you!!
Thank you very much! So glad you liked it and thank you for sharing!
my grandson loves this and it’s quick , esp great on a worknigh and my husband even makes it sometimes , bonus
I’m so glad you enjoyed this! And yes it is perfect for those busy nights!
I just tried this recipe for the first time and it turned out amazing! So yummy!! I wasn’t sure how it would thicken up so I added a bit of cornstarch, and a bit of Parmesan, Dijon and baked it with cheese. I’m never making boxed stuff again! Delish! Thanks for the recipe.
I love the ideas of the Parmesan and Dijon. Thank you for leaving a comment and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
OMG!! This recipe was awesome! Very easy and yummy!! Thanks 🤗
Thank you so much and I am so glad you liked it!! 🙂