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.
10/10 recipe honestly. I decided to try it as it looked like a good fall comfort food. I am not american so i have no idea how actual hamburger helper tastes, however, this was amazing and surely will become a staple
Thank you so much Martina!! I am so glad you liked it!!
The whole family really enjoyed it! I added some diced mushrooms and subbed 2 tsp of Penzey’s Pasta Sprinkle for the parsley. We will definitely make this again. Thanks for a great recipe!
Thank you so much for letting me know how you liked it! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This was a fun recipe! So easy and yummy! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thank you so much and I am so happy you liked it!
Tried this recipe and it was absolutely fantastic
Thank you very much!!
Too much liquid. Elbow noodle soup
Loved this! Classic flavors and easily adaptable. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Bridget!! So glad you liked it and thanks for sharing!!
Both my husband and I loved this meal. Quick and simple to make, yet tasty.
Thank you very much for sharing and I’m so glad you liked it!!
Great recipe. I added fresh garlic & extra cayenne with some red pepper flakes. I also did 1 cup of shredded cheese & 1 cup velveeta cut into cubes. Literally taste exactly like H.H.!!!
So glad you liked it!! Thank you for sharing!!
Easy to make and leave out what I react to (garlic and pepper). I used classic rice milk and tomato paste with about 2-3 ounces of water added. Yummy
So glad you liked it Dorothy!! And thank you for sharing your changes!
This is delicious comfort food. I usually double the recipe for leftovers or a larger crowd. It has become my go-to for meals for newi parents it anyone in need of a comforting meal.
So glad you liked it and so glad you have a recipe to keep in your back pocket to share with those in need!!
I found this site today with this recipe for Homemade Hamburger Helper, so I thought I would give it a try. I hate the boxed ones. I went right by the recipe & it was absolutely delicious. Even my husband complimented me on it. This is a keeper. Thanks.
We hate the boxed ones too!! I am so glad you like it!! And thanks for sharing!!
This is so delicious! I love hamburger helper but the boxed stuff kills me. I will be making this again
I hear ya on the boxed stuff!! So glad you liked it!! 🙂
I am giving this recipe 5 stars as it actyally DOES taste like hamburger helper, only more saucier!! and im guessing holds up way better in the fridge. i followed the recipe excatley as shown. literally zero complaints over here!! will for sure make this again. thank you for a great recipe 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing!! I am so glad you liked it!!! 🙂
My family loved this ! I’ve never actually had hamburger helper but my hubby said this was 100x better ! I am always looking for something new and catching the kids cold I needed something easy that everyone would eat ! Thank you !
I hope you are feeling better!! I am so glad you like it and thanks for sharing!!
This basically goulash
Made this tonight and it was delicious! Exactly what I was craving. I used venison burger in place of beef and it turned out perfect! Thank you.
YAY! I am so glad you liked it, it’s definitely a family favorite of ours!
CAn you use cheese tortellini instead of pasta.
If it is the dried cheese tortellini I think it would work. Fresh or frozen pasta will not work because they don’t soak up as much liquid as dry and the dish would be too soupy in the end. Hope that helps and I hope you enjoy!! 🙂
Anyone have a recipe for the Chicken Helper that had chicken, rice and mushrooms?
Found your recipe on Pinterest searching for something new to do with ground beef. It’s a winner and a keeper! Halved the recipe for 3 servings instead of 6 , used brown rice elbow noodles for a gluten-free version and had to simmer longer than called for til the noodles were tender. Both of us had 2 helpings and had enough left over for one lunch serving the next day. It was remarkably tasty like the boxed product but GF. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the hamburger helper and thank you so much for sharing how you made it with GF noodles!!
Hi I just wanted to say thank you for this recipe it was delicious! I actually added mushrooms to it and it turned out amazing. With some garlic bread on the side, I can’t stop eating it!
Oooh, mushrooms would be a great addition!! I’m going to try that next time!! Thank you and I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂