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Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 81 reviews

This homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that combines ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy tomato-cheese sauce with savory seasonings. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, it’s a delicious alternative to the packaged version, offering a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 oz small pasta shells (or small elbow pasta)

Liquids and Dairy

  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large sauté pan with a lid, heat over medium-high. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the reserved grease and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Create the Sauce Base: Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and garlic. Stir continuously and cook for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps, then bring the mixture up to a boil.
  4. Simmer Pasta with Sauce: Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta to the pan. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover with the lid, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender. If the pasta isn’t fully cooked and the liquid reduces too much, add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup broth as needed.
  5. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy and smooth. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to reheat the beef and allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and let it rest briefly before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
  • Use half and half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
  • If using different pasta shapes, adjust cooking time accordingly.
  • Adding extra broth if necessary helps prevent the dish from drying out.
  • Season with salt and pepper at the end to taste, as seasoned salt is already included.

Keywords: Homemade Hamburger Helper, Ground Beef Pasta, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food, Creamy Pasta, Ground Turkey, One Pan Meal

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/