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 made this for the first time tonight for dinner and it is so, so good! The ingredients are pretty basic but when they combine it’s magical! It was a big hit and my 12-year-old said it was the best thing I’ve ever made! I wouldn’t change a thing; will definitely be putting this one in the regular rotation! Thanks for the great recipe!
It’s amazing what a few simple ingredients can make sometimes!! Thank you so much and I am so glad you liked it!!
We love this with a salad for a quick and easy meal! I have made it with both tomato sauce and canned tomatoes from the garden. Delicious both ways! So much better than store bought hamburger helper !
Thank you so much!! Love that you are using your canned garden tomatoes!!
Trying this for the first time tonight, but I am using 2lbs of ground beef, so should add more liquid and seasonings? Thanks for any feed back.
I don’t think you will need to add more liquid but you may need more seasonings. Sorry I didn’t answer your question sooner!
Thanks so much for sharing! My husband and I were just talking about trying to make Helper without the box for a healthier, lower sodium option! This recipe delivered. I added some sauteed carrots and celery, otherwise followed the rest. It’s now in the rotation
Thank you very much!! I am so glad you both liked it!!
Easy and very good. Have made many times.
Thank you very much!
This recipe is amazing! It tastes identical to the hamburger helper of my childhood. I actualy added some shredded carrots, zucchuni and spinach to make it a little healther and it was beautiful. I also used crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce (because I had no sauce) and half and half instead of milk because I ran out!
That’s wonderful!! And I love all your additions and changes!! Thanks for sharing!
Definately going in the regular rotation. Added a few slices of bacon I had left over otherwise I made it the same as above. Wife and I both ate more than we should have in 1 sitting. Thabk You.
Lol, the same happens here too! Thank you! So glad you liked it!!
VERY DELICIOUS. we have 4 kids and they all love this meal. Real easy and quick to make! Definitely top 5 meals in our house.
It’s a staple in my house too!! Thank you so much for your comment!
Great! Added mushrooms because I had them in the fridge. Flavor is great and tastes just like the boxed stuff but better! Will make again!
Awesome! So glad you liked it and thanks for sharing!
Fast & Tasty
Thanks!!
this was unbelievably good! i made with ground impossible burger. my husband and i really loved it. thanks for this wonderful recipe!
I am so glad you liked it and thank you for sharing!!
I had never made a one-pot pasta before. I tried this recipe and it came together like a charm: comforting, warm, and a perfect balance of sauciness. I will make it again!
Thank you very much! So glad you liked it!
This is one of the few recipes from pinterest that routinely come back to. It is soooo yummy, my whole family loves it.
Thank you so much!! Your comment made my day!!
I had thawed out some ground beef and not much else for dinner. Found this recipe and the family loved it!!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad you liked it!!
I will NEVER make the box stuff again! My son has always loved Hamburger Helper but after I made this recipe he started asking for this homemade hamburger helper. Delicious!!
Thank you so much!! Best comment ever!!
Perfect comfort food. I substituted unsweetened almond milk for milk, smoked chipotle for paprika, and parmesan for cheddar (just what we had or didn’t have) and it was still amazing.
I meant to give this five stars.
Lol, thank you very much Deb!! I really appreciate it!!! So glad you liked it!
You may have to adjust the milk and broth. Instead of 1-1/2 cups, maybe 1-1/4 cups depending if you like a little thicker sauce
I love this homemade hamburger because my family and I can enjoy it in our diner. My kids can’t recognize how many vegetables I added. My wife and I prefer healthy ingredients, so I add organic ingredients. Commercial hamburgers can be found in any supermarket or food stalls, but they’re not healthy and safe. Thank you for your sharing!
Thank you very much! So glad you liked it and I too love hiding all the veggies in this dish!
I made it last night and the family really loved it. I made a few adjustments – doubled the recipe, double the tomato juice/sauce just because I had some extra that needed to be finished off and reduced other liquid accordingly. No changes to the spices, but used almost 1/2 tsp cayenne. Little hint of spice for me, but not too much – 2 others added hot sauce because they like it spicier then I do. Will make again. Thanks.
So glad you liked it!! And thank you for sharing your changes!!
LOVE this recipe! My family is so excited when I make it!
Thank you very much!! So glad you like it!!