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Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe is an easy and delicious dinner that tastes amazing and is just as fast to make as the boxed version…only made with real ingredients! This is one of my go-to, weeknight ground beef recipes that my whole family enjoys. Ready in a flash and cooked in only one pan, too.
What is Hamburger Helper?
Hamburger Helper is an easy boxed pasta dish that you can find in the grocery store next to the boxed mac and cheese. It usually comes with dry pasta and a seasoning and sauce packet which you then cook with meat (usually ground beef). For a lot of households across the country, this meal is a weekly staple and a childhood favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
I really like having these fast “I don’t have to think about it” dinners in my back pocket, especially for those busy weeknights when you’re being pulled in nine different directions! While I never really grew up eating the boxed Hamburger Helper, I certainly enjoyed my fair share in college.
But now that I’m a mother, I definitely can appreciate the point of a fast dish like Hamburger Helper, but much prefer making it homemade. And, funny thing is it doesn’t take that much longer to make it from scratch and it tastes waaaayyy better. Plus it’s a one pot wonder!! My version has become a family favorite! I like to serve this dish with a simple salad, sometimes garlic bread and call it a day!
If you love this Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe, try these other ground beef + pasta recipes: Baked Spaghetti, Cheesy Taco Pasta, Cheeseburger Casserole, The Best Lasagna Ever and Taco Rice.
Ingredients Needed for Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
Okay I admit, this list is long, but this recipe could not be any easier with real and simple ingredients! Here’s everything you’ll need to make homemade Hamburger Helper:
- Ground Beef + Onion – substitute with ground turkey if desired.
- Elbow Macaroni – you can use whatever shape of pasta you’d like, I just kept it classic by using macaroni.
- Beef Broth – this helps cook the pasta while still providing flavor. Use a homemade Bone Broth for added nutrients!
- Tomato Sauce – this is the base of the sauce.
- Milk – this also helps cook the pasta while keeping things creamy.
- Worcestershire Sauce – another flavoring agent, a little goes a long way!
- Cheddar Cheese – you can make this as cheesy (or not) as you’d like.
- Heavy Cream – or use half and half. This really makes the sauce creamy and dreamy.
- Pantry Staples– Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, Ground Mustard, Salt, Black Pepper, Parsley
Variations:
- Ground turkey or chicken: Swap out the beef for lean ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option.
- Boxed stuff version: If you’re short on time, you can use a boxed Hamburger Helper kit as a base and customize it with your own twist.
- Vegetarian option: Omit the ground beef and use plant-based meat substitute for a meat-free version.
How to Make Hamburger Helper Without Milk
While using regular milk adds a creamy texture and I’d suggest using it, there are other ingredients you can add that could be considered the best milk substitutes if you want to avoid regular milk:
- canned evaporated milk
- nonfat dried milk whisked together with water, according to package directions
- almond milk
- coconut milk
- cashew milk
- oat milk
- extra beef broth or chicken broth + 1-2 tablespoons butter
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
This one-pot meal is the perfect weeknight dinner! This recipe is large enough to feed up to 6 people if you have a large family to feed. For full details on how to make this easy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are step-by-step instructions for making it:
1. Cook Ground Beef + Onions
In a large pot or large skillet with deep sides, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chopped onion and ground beef, breaking apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat, if desired.
2. Create Sauce and Cook Pasta
After onions are tender and ground beef is completely cooked, add in macaroni, beef broth, tomato sauce and milk. Add in spices, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper. Stir well and cover.
We are going to cook the pasta in the broth/sauce mix we just created. Bring it to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer, stirring every 5 minutes or so to help prevent sticking and scorching. This should take 10-12 minutes total, depending on how long it takes for your pasta to cook.
Pro Tip: Your cook time will vary based on the pasta you’re using. Check the packaging for estimated cook times.
3. Add Heavy Cream + Cheese
After your macaroni noodles are completely cooked through and sauce mostly absorbed. Stir in heavy cream and plenty of cheddar cheese (or less if you prefer). Taste, adjust seasonings, top with fresh parsley and serve..
What to Serve with Homemade Hamburger Helper
An easy dinner needs an easy side dish or two! Here are some of my go-to’s. With pasta, I love adding salad or some kind of cooked veggie. And garlic bread is always delicious.
Storing + Make Ahead Directions
Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container or cover with aluminum foil in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months! Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To Make Ahead: Prepare the dish up to the point of adding the heavy cream and cheese, then cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat on the stove and finish with the cream and cheese.
More Easy Pasta Recipes to Try!
- Bow Tie Pasta
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Seafood Pasta Salad
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
With its cheesy goodness and hearty flavors, this Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni recipe is sure to please even your picky eaters in your family. Give it a try and enjoy a comforting meal that’s as easy as it is delicious!
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups onion diced
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounce tomato sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half and half
- parsley fresh, chopped – for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet with deep sides, heat olive oil over medium heat. Brown onions and ground beef, breaking apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat, if desired.
- After onions are tender and ground beef is completely cooked, add in macaroni, beef broth, tomato sauce and milk.
- Add in spices, Worcestershire sauce, salt and black pepper. Stir well and cover. Bring to boil and then reduce heat to simmer, stirring every 5 minutes or so to help prevent sticking and scorching.
- After 12 minutes*, your noodles should be completely cooked through and sauce mostly absorbed.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Top with parsley (optional) and serve hot.
👍Followed recipe except used Marinara Sauce in place of tomato sauce. Family thought it was delicious. Well laid out, easy recipe. Thanks 😋
could you substitute milk for the half and half?
This is one of the easiest and tastiest Hamburger meal I have made. My kids LOVED it as well!