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Close up of cheesy homemade hamburger helper garnished with fresh parsley.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Course: Main Dish, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy hamburger helper, hamburger helper, healthier hamburger helper
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 479kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
This Homemade Hamburger Helper is just as easy as the store bought stuff but a whole lot healthier! An easy ground beef recipe that both adults and kids love!
Print Recipe

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
    Overhead view of browned ground beef.
  • 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
    Overhead view of skillet with pasta, tomato sauce, broth, and milk added.
  • Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.
    2 cups (225g) shredded cheddar cheese
    Overhead view of adding cheese to the skillet.

Video

Notes

  1. If using whole wheat elbow pasta you may need to add more liquid while cooking.  
  2. STORAGE: Store cooled hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  3. 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cup (about) | Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 538mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 2.9mg
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