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This creamy, cheesy, one-pot Hamburger Helper might be the best homemade version on the internet. It’s easy and takes just 25 minutes! Perfect for an easy, quick, weeknight dinner.
Unlike many, I didn’t grow up eating hamburger helper. I tried it once as a child and wasn’t too fond of it. My husband loved eating it, yet I despised it haha. I’m not above boxed foods at all but, I just knew I could make it better myself.
If you love one-pot meals, this is the recipe for you! Love a one-pot dinner? Try my Ground Beef Stir Fry, Mongolian Ground Beef Noodles, or Easy Picadillo next.
Key Ingredients
- Ground beef- For this you can use extra lean ground beef but regular ground beef works as well. You’ll just have to drain some of the grease.
- Onion – One small yellow onion will do the trick. The onions add a nice almost caramelized flavor to the dish.
- Tomato paste – Adds acidity and tomato flavor.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sazon, salt and pepper really elevate the flavors of this dish.
- Chicken broth – I prefer to use chicken broth over beef broth because it isn’t as rich in flavor so it doesn’t overpower the dish.
- Heavy cream – The heavy cream is a MUST for the creamiest cheeseburger hamburger helper.
- Pasta – Macaroni noodles will work but I love to use cavatappi noodles for this. The cavatappi adheres to the sauce so well!
- Cornstarch slurry – The mix of cornstarch and water will thicken up the sauce.
- Cheddar cheese – Mild or sharp will do and add the final cheesy component to this dish.
Substitutions
Change up the broth. Beef broth can replace the chicken broth, although it will give the sauce a richer beef flavor. Ground turkey also works instead of ground beef.
Try a different pasta. You can swap cavatappi for another small pasta, including macaroni. Keep an eye on it because different pasta shapes may cook differently.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Reheat individual portions gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or heavy cream if the sauce gets too thick.
One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion , diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp sazon, optional
- Salt & pepper
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cavatappi
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
- Parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, season it with a bit of salt and pepper. Break up the ground beef with a spoon while it’s browning. Drain some of the grease if there is too much.
- In the same pan add the onions, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, sazon and paprika. Stir to combine.
- Add in the broth, heavy cream and pasta. Stir and make sure the pasta is somewhat submerged in the liquid, it won’t be completely submerged but that’s okay. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- While that's simmering, mix together the cornstarch and water in a small ramekin or bowl. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the lid, stir in the cornstarch mixture and then the cheese for about 1 minute.
- Turn off the heat and give it one last stir. This is where you would add in chopped parsley if using. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips for the Best Homemade Hamburger Helper
- Keep the pasta at a gentle simmer while it cooks. Stir occasionally so the noodles cook evenly and nothing sticks.
- If the pasta needs more cooking time, add a small splash of broth. Different pasta shapes can absorb liquid differently.
- The sauce may look slightly loose when you first add the cheese. Let it sit briefly so the sauce thickens around the pasta.
How to make homemade hamburger helper:
Making this one-pot meal is super easy! Just brown your ground beef and drain any unwanted grease.
Next add in the onions, tomato paste and spices to the same pan, stirring to combine all those flavors.
Then add in the chicken broth, heavy cream and pasta. Bring to a boil, cover and let cook covered for 10 minutes so that the past is al dente.
Remove the lid, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cheese.
Stir in chopped parsley if using. Serve, eat and enjoy!
The consistency was perfect worked similar to hamburger helper..added a few more spices it was good
Thank you!!
Yum
Such a great quick & easy weeknight meal idea!! loveee!!
Thank you!
Absolutely delicious! So flavorful, creamy, and easy to make. Way better than the boxed version! Definitely adding this to my dinner rotation!