At Home Hamburger Helper

You are going to love the cheesy, hamburger, and macaroni ingredients that make this hamburger helper.

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Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Servings8

This homemade hamburger helper recipe is so much better than the box and it’s just as easy! It has hearty, cheeseburger flavors in pasta form. Plus, you can feel good knowing that it’s homemade with real, healthier ingredients.

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Once you’ve enjoyed this dish, you’re sure to want more recipes like it. Both this Cheeseburger Casserole and this Hamburger Casserole offer the same delicious, hearty flavors! We’re sure you’ll love them.

MORE HAMBURGER RECIPES:
Hamburger Soup | Big Mac Salad

What is Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger helper is a boxed mix of seasonings and noodles that can be mixed with browned ground beef to create a delicious one-pot meal.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients

You will need: 

• 1 lb of lean ground beef 
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 cups beef broth
• ½ cup water
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Hamburger Helper Recipe Substitutions and Additions

Pasta: If you don’t have macaroni noodles, you can use any type of small noodle such as penne, bowtie, rotini, or shells.

Ground Beef: 90/10 ground beef is best. If not, try to use 85/15.

Beef Broth: You can use regular or low sodium broth. Alternatively, you can use bouillon cubes as well, but be cautious of the saltiness.

Chili Mac: If you prefer to make this a chili mac, you can remove the Worcestershire sauce and add in 1 teaspoon of cumin powder and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

How to make Hamburger Helper

STEP ONE: In a large soup pot (4 to 5.5 quart is good), on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and garlic. Drain any fat or liquid, there won’t be too much if you’re using lean meat.

STEP TWO: When the beef is completely cooked, add the beef broth, water, tomato paste, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried parsley, and black pepper. Keep the temperature at medium-high heat. It may look like a lot of liquids, but it’s necessary to cook the pasta properly.

STEP THREE: Once the beef mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium and add the macaroni.

STEP FOUR: Let the elbow macaroni cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir often and make certain the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan.

STEP FIVE: Once the noodles are tender, remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheese a ½ cup at a time. Stir well after adding each ½ cup.

STEP SIX: Taste the hamburger helper to make certain it is seasoned properly for you and your family. Adjust accordingly.

How to serve Hamburger Helper

Serve hamburger helper as a main course with a salad, sauteed vegetables, or dinner rolls on the side.

Storing Hamburger Helper

IN THE FRIDGE: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days. Be sure to let cool completely before placing in the refrigerator. 

IN THE FREEZER: You can also store leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

You are going to love the cheesy, hamburger, and macaroni ingredients that make this hamburger helper. There are only six steps to putting this together and you’ll have a dinner that is so filling and delicious. This recipe proves that homemade dinner can be just as easy as a store-bought box!

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Homemade Hamburger Helper

5 from 1 vote

You are going to love the cheesy, hamburger, and macaroni ingredients that make this hamburger helper.

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb lean ground beef 90/10 if possible
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 4 cup beef broth you can use low sodium
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cup elbow macaroni uncooked
• 2 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

 

• In a large soup pot (4 to 5.5 quart is good), on medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and garlic. Drain any fat or liquid (there won’t be much since we’re using lean meat).
• When the beef is completely cooked, add the beef broth, water, tomato paste, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried parsley and black pepper. Keep the temperature at medium-high heat. (This may look like a lot of fluids, but it is needed to properly cook the pasta)
• Once the beef mixture reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium.
• Add the elbow macaroni and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir often and make certain the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Once the noodles are tender, remove the pan from the heat and add the shredded cheese a ½ cup at a time. Stir well after adding each ½ cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 846mg | Potassium: 595mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 854IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 3mg

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