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How To Make Hamburger Helper – Simple Ground Beef Hamburger Helper Recipe

How To Make Hamburger Helper – Simple Ground Beef Hamburger Helper Recipe

This Simple Ground Beef Hamburger Helper Recipe brings classic comfort food to your table with fresh, homemade flavor. Tender pasta cooks in a savory sauce with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and aromatic spices, creating a rich and satisfying one-pot meal. Finished with heavy cream and plenty of melted cheddar cheese, the sauce becomes perfectly creamy and comforting. It’s a quick dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. This homemade version tastes even better than the boxed classic and uses simple pantry ingredients you likely already have. It’s hearty, family-friendly, and guaranteed to become a regular favorite at dinner time.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef ground turkey also works well
  • 1 large yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 ounces small pasta shells or elbow macaroni
  • ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

    1. Brown the meat

    Place a large skillet or sauté pan with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Transfer the cooked meat to a plate and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan for flavor.

    2. Cook the aromatics

    Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes until it softens. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

    3. Create the sauce base

    Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir constantly for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the broth while stirring, allowing the mixture to combine smoothly. Bring it to a gentle boil.

    4. Add seasoning and pasta

    Mix in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and uncooked pasta. Stir well so the pasta is coated with the liquid. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan, and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta becomes tender.Tip: If the pasta needs more time and the liquid reduces too much, add ¼–½ cup extra broth.

    5. Make it creamy and cheesy

    Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Continue mixing until the cheese fully melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.

    6. Finish the dish

    Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and cook everything together for 2–3 minutes so the meat heats through. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to rest for a minute or two—the sauce will thicken slightly. Serve warm.

Notes

Helpful 

Storage:
This dish tastes best freshly made because the pasta absorbs the sauce as it sits. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating:
Warm leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or cream while reheating to restore the creamy texture.
Making a larger batch:
For bigger families or gatherings, double or triple the ingredients and cook everything in a large pot or Dutch oven.
Gluten-free option:
Use gluten-free pasta and replace the flour with cornstarch. Gluten-free pasta may require a bit more broth and slightly longer cooking time. Once the pasta is tender, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, stir it into the pan, and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.