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 have tried various versions of scratch hamburger helper. Made this one for my husband today. I don’t eat meat but I must say this smells pretty good to me! I used grated fresh garlic and the dreaded boxed brick of cheese that my husband bought on a whim. A few deep sniffs, one big smile, two bowls later and the happy man is napping! Thank You!
Lol! So happy you guys enjoyed it!! Thanks for sharing!
Loved It!
Thank you!
Used whole wheat macaroni, 1 and 1/2 cup was perfect.
Thanks for sharing!!
Made this recipe recently and it was a hit. My husband doesn’t love HP, but he really liked this one! Thanks for the simple, easy recipe!!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad you liked it!!
As a veteran cook, I’ve made this item for my Hubby many times. This is the 1st using your recipe & it’s spot on. You’ve got the right combination here… Delicious ! I also sauteed some sliced baby bella mushrooms in butter then stirred them in gently after adding the cheese. Garish with chopped parsley
I am so honored!! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!!
Keep doing what you do. You obviously have the touch. My Grandpa was off the boat from Sicily eventually opened bakery then a dinner. Other Grandpa was a butcher. Food just runs in my family . You’ve got the stuff & you don’t over think it. Thanks for using as much scratch as you do. I’ll be checking in often. Stay safe.🏖
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!! Totally made my day!! Hope you’re doing well during all this craziness!!
So far so good here in St Petersburg,FL Blessings to all your gang also. Think I’ll give your Corn Bread a try for our ham dinner tonight. BTW I have a husband who loves to eat.😄
Lol, mine too!! So glad you are doing well!
This recipe was so tasty and easy, thank you!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad you liked it!
This came out AMAZING! A great quick and easy dinner and just one more GREAT ground beef recipe. The only change I made was using chicken broth instead of beef broth. Thats just my preference because I find beef broth too strong sometimes.
Thank you so much!! So glad you liked it!!
Made this and it is awesome! Both my mom and I ate it up. Lots of leftovers. The only thing I would do differently is put less cayenne pepper. This is a keeper recipe.
Thank you so much! So glad you liked it and thanks for sharing!
Delicious! Following other comments I used real minced garlic, increased the spice amounts, added a pinch of fry mustard powder, and added a splash of Worcestershire sauce. I used mini bowtie pasta because that’s what I had. Will definitely make again!
I am so glad you liked it and thank you for sharing your changes!!
Look yummy! One of my favorite Hamburger, nice to see your recipe, easy to follow, will cook this for family this weekend. Thanks you!
Thank you so much!! So glad you liked it!
I barely did 1/4 tsp of cayenne and my batch is kickin! I used a small pot rather than a skillet and it was way less messy this time around 🙂
Thank you for sharing your changes!
I’ve made this several times. It’s very good. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you so much! So glad you liked it!!
I’ve made this several times now and it’s always a winner with both the adults and the toddlers! I love how simple it is to throw it all together, and I feel better serving this to my family than the boxed stuff. I’m thinking I might make it for an expectant mom–do you know if this can be made ahead of time and frozen? At which step should I freeze it?
Hi Colleen! So sorry I haven’t answered you sooner. I have been sick with an awful stomach bug. I haven’t froze this particular dish before but my suggestions would be to cook the pasta just until al dente to help prevent the noodles from getting too soggy. I hope that helps!!
Can I used those package cheese ? Or get a block of cheese
Sorry I didn’t answer your question sooner. I prefer to use cheese from a block and grate it myself because the package of cheese is coated in anti-caking agents and can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly.
My favourite quick meal, I’ve done it with ground pork, turkey or beef. Whatever I have on hand I use. I’ve also added mushrooms or chopped zucchini. If you are looking for a kid approved, quick meal with not a lot of clean up this is your recipe. Try it out and don’t be afraid to substitute!
I am so glad you liked it!! And thank you for sharing your additions!!
Thank you for this recipe. I made this 2 days ago & making it again today. YUM.
I am so glad you liked it!! Thank you for your comment!!
Omitted the pepper to accommodate a 7 year old. Really yummy. Also, threw in some broccoli for added nutrients:)
YAY!! So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing!
Without cayenne powder, Can I replace it with other one?
If you don’t have any you could leave it out. But if you are looking for heat to add to the dish try replacing with a little red pepper flake or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Would this taste ok with ground turkey instead of ground beef? Would I need to make any changes to the recipe?
This would be great with ground turkey and many readers have made it with ground turkey and really like it! No changes needed! Thanks and I hope you enjoy!
I used litelife ground and vegetable broth and made this vegetarian and it was amazing!!
I am so glad you liked it and thank you for sharing your substitutions!
Made this tonight. use chopped garlic instead of powdered used part chopped onions hurt dried onions. This recipe is so delicious. my family of 5 loved it! served it with broccoli.
YAY! So glad you liked it!! It’s a family favorite here!!
Made this with chicken stock and tomato soup as I was short on time and ingredients, still tasted as good as hamburger helper!
Great job substituting!! So glad you liked it!!
Hilarious! I just did that too !