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This one-pan Hamburger Helper is ready in half an hour and is the best homemade comfort food! Tender pasta is folded into a savory, cream-based sauce along with plenty of ground beef and cheddar cheese.
This hearty homemade hamburger helper recipe is a delicious one-pot meal and one of my family’s favorites. I turn to it often on the busiest weeknights because it comes together so fast. In about half an hour, I have a filling and comforting meal that leaves everyone full and satisfied. It’s great rounded out with a salad or a side of grilled vegetables, but if you want to keep it simple and serve it as-is, that’s great, too!
Why I Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
- One pot is needed – I’ll admit it, I truly love a one-pot meal. During the busiest seasons, you need to rely on failsafe dishes that everyone likes and that involve minimal effort. Enter homemade hamburger helper!
- Adaptable – I’ve included some easy adjustments in this post if you want to try expanding on the basic hamburger helper recipe to include vegetables, and other protein options, including plant-based protein, and more.
- Make ahead – This hamburger helper recipe is also great to make in advance if needed (and it makes wonderful leftovers). I’ve included some tips for how to make this dish ahead of time down below.
What You’ll Need
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients you should grab to make my easy hamburger helper. The full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Olive Oil – I prefer olive oil or extra virgin olive oil in all my recipes, but you can also use vegetable oil. Canola oil and avocado oil are great alternatives.
- Onion – Use a yellow onion or substitute a white onion if needed.
- Garlic – Increase or lower the amount of garlic in this dish depending on how much garlic you like. Garlic powder will also work.
- Ground Beef – I like to use 80/20 ground beef but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Simple seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
- Chili Flakes – For a bit of added spice. Omit this if you wish.
- Tomato Paste – Thick, concentrated tomato paste adds flavor and creates the base for the sauce.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch is used to thicken the sauce.
- Beef Broth – I always like to use low-sodium broths, but you may use whatever type of broth you prefer.
- Elbow Pasta – This creates an authentic hamburger helper feel!
- Heavy Cream – A little heavy cream adds incredible richness to the dish. If needed, substitute half-and-half for a similar effect.
- Cheddar Cheese – I prefer to shred my cheddar cheese rather than use pre-shredded cheese. A bonus is that you can choose what kind of cheese you prefer – mild, sharp, or extra sharp cheddar.
- Fresh Herbs – Try chives, basil, or parsley for garnish.
Variation Ideas
Make this hamburger helper recipe as written or play around with my variations below!
- Different pasta – While hamburger helper is often made with elbow macaroni, you can change the pasta shape if you wish. I recommend using “nooks and crannies” pasta such as ziti or penne to hold the sauce.
- Add vegetables – Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the mix. Our favorites include bell peppers, peas, spinach, or mushrooms.
- Try ground turkey – If you want to go a little lighter, swap ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- Make it vegetarian – Or, add your favorite vegetable-based meat in place of the ground beef.
- Change the cheese – Try a different cheese, such as mellow Monterey Jack cheese, instead of the cheddar. Or, for an extra cheesy kick, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole before serving.
How To Make Hamburger Helper
Follow along with my photos below to guide you through making this quick and easy pasta and beef recipe.
- Cook the beef. In a large skillet, cook the onion and garlic, then add the beef and season it with salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
- Add tomato paste. Stir in the tomato pasta and cornstarch.
- Stir in broth and pasta. Now stir in the broth, then add the pasta and cook it for about 10 minutes.
- Finish. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and shredded sharp Cheddar cheese.
- Serve. Ladle the pasta into bowls, ensuring that each serving is generously coated with the sauce.
Chef’s Tips & Tricks
- Lighten it up – If you want to make a slightly lighter version of hamburger helper, substitute whole milk for heavy cream.
- Skip the pasta – You can leave out the pasta and serve the saucy meat over a pile of fluffy classic creamy mashed potatoes for a different take on this dish. Or, make it with gluten free pasta for a gluten free version of homemade hamburger helper.
- Add sour cream – For a little extra creamy tanginess, stir in ½ cup of sour cream just before serving.
- Make ahead – You can make this recipe ahead of time: Transfer the cooked hamburger helper to a casserole dish, cover it tightly with foil, and place it in the fridge up to 24 hours in advance of when you want to serve it. When you want to eat, preheat the oven to 350°F, place the casserole dish in the oven, and warm the hamburger helper until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted.
Serving Suggestions
Hamburger Helper is traditionally served with pasta to make a one-dish dinner. But, I like to add a few sides, including vegetables, to round it out into a more complete meal. Make a pan of roasted vegetables or sauteed green beans.
A fresh salad is always a welcome addition to a hearty main dish. I love a creamy cucumber salad or a bowl of crunchy Mexican street corn salad with this dish.
Soak up the cheesy sauce with a loaf of no knead bead or up the cheese factor with a batch of cheesy garlic pull apart bread.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
If you have leftovers, you’ll appreciate being able to turn them into an easy dinner another time!
Place cooled leftover hamburger helper in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
You can reheat the hamburger helper in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave in 1-minute increments until hot. Add a splash of milk or broth to maintain the creamy consistency before heating it.
More Easy Beef Recipes
Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅓ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups elbow pasta, uncooked
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- chopped fresh herbs, for garnish (such as chives, basil, or parsley)
Instructions
- In a large, high-sided skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for 20 seconds, or until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and chili flakes. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spatula, until it is fully browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes. If there is excess fat, drain it carefully.
- Add the tomato paste to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for about 1 minute, allowing the paste to caramelize slightly, which will deepen the flavor.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well to incorporate, ensuring there are no lumps. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir in the uncooked elbow pasta, making sure it's well distributed and submerged in the liquid.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the pasta cook for about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The pasta should absorb most of the liquid and become tender.
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and shredded sharp Cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and ladle the cheesy pasta into bowls.
- Garnish with freshly chopped herbs, and enjoy.
Notes
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or spinach for extra nutrition.
- For an extra cheesy kick, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.
- Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat them the next day. Add a splash of milk or broth to maintain the creamy consistency.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
