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.
I cooked the pasta before fully reading the instructions. Whoops! I still managed to make the yummy dish as intended 🙂 For anyone who jumped the gun like I did: I omitted the beef broth portion of the recipe and instead added one cube of veggie buillion (about two tbsp or less) to the mixture for the flavor. I figured since I already cooked the pasta, I no longer needed all the broth to absorb into the pasta. I followed the rest of the instructions as normal–bring pot with all ingredients (minus cheese) to a boil and then cover as it simmers with occasional stirring. The cheese at the end brought it to the desired creaminess. Delish! Will make it the right way next time to save me some time lol
Hey no problem, it happens to all of us! Great job improvising and thanks for including what you did to change it!! Thanks again!!
Made this tonight ! And it was a hit!!! My husband, who grew up on hamburger helper, loved it!!! Had two helpings. Tasted much like the box, but much better. I usually have all ingredients on hand, so this is a great go to meal. Will definitely make it again. Thanks !!
Thank you so much Kimberly!! It is definitely one of our favorite meals!
Made this with ground turkey and Gluten-Free pasta instead and it’s great! I used more milk and broth to compensate for the pasta and the dehydrated onions I used (I was out of fresh *tear*). I also added a bit of parmesan. Thanks!!
Love your substitutes!! I’m glad you enjoyed it!! Thanks, Emily!
Wow! This recipe is definitely a keeper. I have made it several times and we never have leftovers. Kids fight over the last of it. Thank you for sharing!
LOL, same here!! Thank you so much and I am glad you enjoyed! 🙂
This looks so delicious, I am planning on making it this week for dinner. I was wondering around how much you’d say a serving is?
I am taking a bit of a guess just because I haven’t measured it out precisely. But I would say about 1 1/2 cups. Hope that helps.
It does, thank you! I’m so excited to try it. 🙂
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Malinda, I love this recipe. I liked hamburger helper growing up, but this way better than the cheeseburger macaroni! I use gluten free macaroni and it turns out great!
I got confused and I cooked the pasta first – it is pretty watery! Is that why?
Yes, the pasta needs to cook with everything in the pan and it will soak up all that liquid.
I absolutely love it! Much better then the boxed stuff. I can control the amount of sodium. I’m not using pre-packaged prcessed chemical added ingredients. And it’s not expensive to make. And it took the same time to make as the store bought.
Thank you so much Michel! It is one of our favorite meals!
It’s been a while since have had the boxed Hamburger Helper, so I can’t compare to it, but this recipe is so good! Quick, easy and cheap to do! My bf and I ate it 5 nights in a row, and no complains at all! D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S
Thank you so much!! This is one of my family’s favorite meals and I love that it is really easy! Thanks again! 🙂
I have no milk,so what can I use instead.
You could use all beef broth. Hope you enjoy!
Thank you…Will be making this tonight…
I’m making it now.I think it will be tasty. I’ m using a regular pot , what’s the point of using a pressure cooker for this recipe ? It’s amazing how many crazy ideas people have.
Thanks for the reply! I will give it a try tonight!
Hi! This sounds so yummy and a perfect dinner for a bunch of teenagers! I am a youth Pastors wife and I cook for a group of teenagers every week so I am always on the look out for dinners that are easy and something they will enjoy. The only problem is that I need to quadruple this batch (at least) Do you think it will require more cooking time or change how it will come out? I usually prepare things that go in the oven.. so i am trying to decide if I can make this work. I was thinking about using large pots and doubling each one? Any suggestions or thoughts?
I double this all the time for my family with no problems and I think putting 2 double batches in two pots would be great! I just taste test a noodle at the end of the suggested cooking time and sometimes it has to cook for an extra couple of minutes. I haven’t made this in the oven but you could certainly keep it warm in the oven. Let me know how it turns out for you! 🙂
Has anyone tried this recipe using ground turkey? Wondering if that would change the taste much or? Have some out so wanted to make this recipe for dinner 🙂
There are a couple of readers who used ground turkey and really enjoyed it. Let me know how you like it! Thanks for asking!
I have used ground turkey breast twice. I thought it turned out pretty tasty.
Thank you and I am so glad that you liked it!! 🙂
I’ve already made this multiple times. So ridiculously easy and yummy!!
Thank you so much!! It’s one of our favorites!!
Made this tonight and everyone liked it. He likes Hambuger Helper, I don’t. This made everyone happy. I did only use about 1.5 cups of cheese. it was still very cheesy.
I am so glad you enjoyed this!!! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
I made this recipe for the first time last week. My husband requested me to make it again tonight. I guess it’s his favorite now. Lol
Lol, I am so glad that he liked it!! 🙂
I added some worchestershire sauce and a sprinkling of low sodium fajita mix as I found it needed some more pow. Those additions really help with the flavour.
Great ideas! Thank you for your comment! 🙂
Looks so yummy i am gonna try tho this for sure tonight
Feel kinda weird to ask this lol but im not sure to understand do you boil pasta in the regular way just in water or do you boil it in the broth tomato mix ????
Sorry for the dumd question ..:/ im confused lol
No question is a dumb question! You will put the uncooked pasta in with the broth tomato mixture to cook. Thanks for asking and I hope you enjoy! 🙂
Thx sooo much ?
You’re quite welcome!!!
Making this for the first time tonight as my son wants HH and I know how bad boxed stuff is for you. I am excited to make with all the great comments! Will let you know how it turns out 🙂
Thanks, Brandi! I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
What could you substitute the cayenne pepper with, if anything?
You can just leave it out if you prefer. It just gives it a little something extra but nothing really noticeable. My kiddos don’t even notice it. Hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Great! Thank you so much! Making for the first time tonight.. 🙂
No problem, happy to help! 🙂