Made with just one pot and affordable ingredients, Hamburger Helper is a delicious and satisfying comfort meal. This recipe is very easy to make and doesn't take time. If you need a crowd-pleasing meal, this is a good option for you!
Making hamburger helper from scratch
Hamburger Helper is one of my favorite comfort one-pot meals. With a couple of ingredients and about 30 minutes, you can have this ready to enjoy with your family. Another one-pot that gives me this fuzzy, comforting feeling like this meal is my ground beef pasta recipe. They are almost peas in a pod.
To make this delicious hamburger helper recipe from scratch, you will need pasta, ground beef, beef broth (or any broth of your choice), cheese, tomato sauce, herbs, spices, and seasonings. You can also add veggies and swap out ingredients if you want a vegan version of this meal.
Making this recipe is almost like throwing your ingredients in a pot—in a blink; it's ready! It's so easy to recreate; it's comforting, filling, and satisfying.
What You'd Love About This Recipe
- One Pot: This meal is convenient to cook and you don't have to wash a truckload of pots and utensils after making your meal.
- Hearty and Filling Meal: Ground beef, pasta, and a flavorful sauce combine to create a substantial dish that is perfect for the whole family.
- Easy to Make: This hamburger helper recipe requires minimal effort and cooking skills. Just brown ground meat, add the pasta, seasoning, and water, and simmer until everything is cooked through.
- Affordable: Hamburger Helper is an affordable meal option. It provides a budget-friendly way to feed a family or enjoy a comforting meal without breaking the bank.
- True Comfort Meal: Hamburger Helper is a classic comfort food that brings a sense of nostalgia and warmth. It offers a comforting and familiar taste that you will love and enjoy.
Ingredients for making Hamburger Helper from Scratch
- Ground beef (or your favorite protein): This is the savory base of our dish, but feel free to get creative with ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage!
- Cornstarch: This secret ingredient acts as a thickening agent, ensuring a silky smooth and satisfying sauce. All-purpose flour will also work just fine.
- Paprika: Paprika adds a vibrant touch and a touch of smokiness (use smoked paprika for an extra kick!).
- Onion and minced garlic: Adds depth to the dish.
- Salt and black pepper: These seasoning essentials work together to create a balanced flavor profile.
- broth: The hot liquid helps cook the pasta and forms the base of our cheesy sauce. For extra richness, swap it with beef or chicken broth!
- Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess and helps create a smooth and delightful sauce texture.
- Pasta: macaroni - perfect for catching all that delicious cheesy goodness, but any small pasta like elbows, rotini, or penne would work beautifully.
- Grated cheddar cheese (or your favorite melting cheese): This is where the cheesy magic happens! Feel free to experiment with cheddar jack, mozzarella, or a blend for a different flavor twist.
How to make Hamburger Helper
- In a large pot or skillet, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add onions and garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook until onions are translucent.
- Add macaroni, tomato sauce, beef broth, spices, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Top with optional toppings like parsley or green onion.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
What goes with hamburger helper
- Green beans: Pair with green beans for a delicious and healthy side to your meal
- Simple side salad: Serve Hamburger Helper with a side of fresh green salad or a simple side salad dressed with your favorite dressing.
- Garlic bread: For some added flavor and texture, prepare some garlic bread or garlic knots to serve alongside the Hamburger Helper for some added flavor and texture.
- Roasted or Grilled vegetables: Fire up the grill and make some delicious vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms to serve alongside the Hamburger Helper.
- Corn on the cob: Whether you decide to boil or grill your corn on the cob, both methods serve as a side dish to complement the flavors of the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hamburger helper?
A hamburger helper is a delicious and satisfying meal made from pasta, ground meat and sauce. It's a convenient dish to make if you are looking for a hearty meal without much hassle.
Which pasta do I use to make Hamburger Helper?
To make hamburger helper, you can use various types of pasta, such as macaroni, penne, or rotini. I used elbow macaroni for this recipe because it's great for absorbing the sauce.
How long does it take to make a hamburger helper?
The time it takes to make a hamburger helper can vary, but generally, you will need about 20-35 minutes from start to finish. This includes browning the ground meat, cooking the pasta, and simmering it all together with the sauce. It's really a quick dinner option.
What to do with left over hamburger helper?
You can store any left over in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a little water or broth if needed to prevent it from drying out.
Alternatively, you can repurpose the leftovers by adding them to a casserole, using them as a filling for stuffed peppers, or incorporating them into a soup or chili recipe. The options are endless!
Storage & Reheating Tips
How long is Hamburger Helper good in the fridge?
Hamburger Helper is good in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Make sure to store your meal in an airtight container so that you can enjoy it later.
How to reheat Hamburger Helper
There are about 3 ways you can reheat hamburger helper and they include:
- On Stovetop: Add a splash of water to the Hamburger Helper and heat it over low heat in a pan. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Continue cooking until it gets to the desired temperature.
- Microwave: Put your meal in a microwave-safe dish and add a small amount of water or broth if you prefer to prevent drying out. Cover the dish, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Heat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the dish is heated through.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the Hamburger Helper to an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil to prevent drying out. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the dish is heated through.
Substitutes and Variations
If you lean towards the vegan side or you just want a vegan variation of this hamburger helper meal, you can try these:
- Swap out your ground beef with cooked brown lentils or a plant-based meat substitute like tofu. You can also add broccoli, cauliflower, or any other veggie to give your meal some substance and bulk.
- Instead of beef broth, use vegetable broth.
- Substitute shredded cheese with other vegan or plant-based cheese options, such as alternatives made from nuts, soy, and coconut.
For variety;
- Add in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, carrots, peas, and spinach to increase the nutritional value of your meal.
- Switch up your pasta options. You can substitute elbow macaroni with egg noodles, penne, or rotini.
- Add in other herbs and spices like cumin to give it your own unique twist.
More Quick One-Pot Dinners to try:
- Easy One-Pot Ground Beef Pasta
- One pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta With Chicken
- Easy One Pot Chicken Fried Rice
- Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice
Making Hamburger Helper From Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or all purpose flour
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add onion to the skillet and cook until soft. About 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add the cornstarch, stir, and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and season with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. Add the broth and leave to come to a boil.
- Add pasta to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer for about 8-11 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Add the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the cooked pasta. Stir until the cheese has melted into the sauce, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your meal!
Nutrition
Let’s make our friendship official on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to give me a shout-out with your dish snaps using @cheflolaskitchen on Instagram and Facebook. Can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up! 🍲🥘🌟
Samantha
Sunday 8th of December 2024
Hot water is in the directions but ingredients have broth. Is that a preference to just pick?
K.H.
Thursday 20th of February 2025
@Chef Lola's Kitchen,
Also nowhere in the ingredients does it list tomatoes. I didn't pick up on this until I went to make it. I dont always read the story, just go straight to recipe. I made it w/o because I didn't buy any. It's still gonna be good cuz CHEESE!!! 😁
Chef Lola's Kitchen
Sunday 15th of December 2024
You can use both. Broth adds more flavor while the water helps the pasta cook.