Description

Homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick, one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a comforting, family-friendly dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes and made with real ingredients—no boxed mix required.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 cup milk
2 cups elbow macaroni or other short pasta
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Optional: 1/4 cup heavy cream
Optional: chopped parsley or green onions for garnish

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Instructions

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
Add paprika, salt, pepper, uncooked pasta, beef broth, and milk. Stir well to combine.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Add a splash of heavy cream for extra richness if desired.
Serve hot, garnished with parsley or green onions.

Notes

Use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to beef.For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.Try taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with chilies for a Mexican-inspired twist.Mix in spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini for added veggies.Add pickles, mustard, and ketchup at the end for a cheeseburger-style version.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
Calories: 480
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 690mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 95mg