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.
This is delicious! And so easy to make!! Simply loved and the husband also!
This going to be a regular in our menu
Yay!! I am so glad you enjoyed this!! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
i am making this right now. I was a little wary as my sauce looked way more red…but. 5 min later it was the color I’m used to in hamburger helper. I had to use beefy mushroom broth but end result is a hit! Thanks for this recipe.
I’m glad this turned out ok for you and so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! 🙂
Love this version of homemade hamburger helper. Tweaked the recipe slightly, doubled the seasonings since others commented that it was bland and added 2 onions instead of 1. Will definitely make this again.
I’m so glad you liked it and thank you for your comment!! 🙂
Fantastic. Love an easy recipe you can make on the fly. Will become a new regular around here. Thank you!
Thank you so much Sarah!! Can never have enough easy meals!
I tried to keep this to the recipe but I didn’t have beef broth or tomato sauce. Also had to make it gluten and lactose free. With all of that said it came out delicious! Used chicken broth but added worrchestire sauce. Added an extra cup of water and almost a full can of tomato paste, used gluten free pasta and lactose free milk and cheese. Will make this again for sure!
I am so glad you were able to make this gluten-free and thank you so much for leaving a comment!! I love hearing everyone’s adaptations and I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
I just came across your recipe on Pinterest a couple of hours ago and decided to make it on a whim. It was really yummy and both my hubby and picky son liked it too. I used gluten free pasta because the hubby can’t have wheat and added a can of kidney beans for more protein and cooked it in my Instant Pot on high for 5 min. It’s a keeper..
I am so glad you liked it!! And thank you for leaving your comment and how you cooked it in your Instant Pot! I’m hoping to get one myself soon. 🙂
Made this tonight and it was amazing!!! My kid is picky and she gobbled it up. Definitely will be a staple in our house. 😊
Yay!! I am so glad you enjoyed this meal! It’s one of our favorites. 🙂
Can you use Velveteen cheese instead of cheddar cheese
I have not tried Velveeta in this recipe but I don’t see why you couldn’t! Thanks and I hope you enjoy!
Love love love this recipe I substituted tomato sauce for diced petite tomatoes, beef broth for chicken, I used ground turkey and gluten free noodles. My stepson is severly autistic and doesn’t eat much and he actually ate the entire helping I gave him so it was a definite win, making it again tonight.
I️ halved this recipe for two people and had leftovers. It tasted great! Used chicken broth instead of beef because that’s all that was in the fridge. Next time might try it with some chopped tomatoes and chilis. Thanks for the recipe. Delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this!! I have made it with chopped tomatoes and chilies before and we really enjoyed it! 🙂
My nephew found this recipe for us to try tonight, and we all loved it! I tried,it as-is because I like,to do that the first time,around. Will definitely keep this recipe in rotation. Thanks so much for sharing it.
I am so glad you liked it!! It is one of our favorites!! 🙂
I make this all the time and we love it, I was wondering though if it would make much difference to substitute milk for heavy cream as that’s what I have.
I’m so glad you enjoy this as much as we do!! Maybe use only 1/2- 3/4 cup cream and replace the rest with extra beef broth. It might be a little too rich to replace all of the milk with heavy cream. Thanks again!! 🙂
This was awesome. I browned beef and onion in my Instant Pot and then added everything else. I didn’t have tomato sauce so I used part of a can of tomato soup (condensed). Cooked for 5-6 minutes. It was awesome! I’m definitely making again!
I am so glad you enjoyed this!! And thank you for sharing your comment about using the instant pot!
Do i have to use beef broth or can i use chicken ? my boyfriend doesn’t eat beef ..?
Sure chicken broth would be fine. Hope you enjoy!
I just tried this recipe with gluten free elbow macaroni and it was amazing! Thanks so much!!
I am so glad this worked for you!! Thank you for your comment!! 🙂
This recipe was fantastic! I am lactose intolerant, so I substituted the milk and cheese with almond milk and Cabot sharp cheddar cheese and it turned out wonderful! Definitely a repeat. I did go through the comments and see someone asked about freezing. Can any leftovers be frozen? I am always looking for easy recipes like this that I can easily sub out dairy products without the hassle! Thank you so much for sharing this!
I am so glad you enjoyed this and thank you so much for sharing your substitutions!! I have not frozen this myself but I don’t see why you couldn’t. I have frozen other similar pasta dishes and they come out just fine. Thanks again!
I’m a college student with a busy schedule and I loved this recipe! Not only was it quick and easy, but I didn’t get sick of eating the leftovers. I added zucchini as suggested and would recommend it.
Thanks for the great recipe!
I am so glad you like it!!! And awesome job for taking the time to cook during college!! I remember those years 😉
Made this tonight and it was amazing! My husband loves hamburger helper, I’m not a huge fan but decided to give this a try. I think it’s so much better than the nasty box kind. I used freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder, and added just a little cream cheese in with the cheddar. Will definitely be making again!
Thank you so much for your comment!! I am so glad you enjoyed, it’s definitely one of our favorites!! 🙂
Does anyone know where to find the nutritional information on this recipe? Specifically the Carbs/Protein/Fat per serving.
I am sorry I don’t have this available for you. I am hoping to add this in the future. Thanks!
Made this for the 2nd time today. Delish! I used smoked paprika and super sharp cheese. So tasty and filling. Thanks for this recipe it is on my rotation list.
Thank you very much!! I’ll have to try the smoked paprika sometime!!