Hamburger Helper Recipe
This one-pot Homemade Hamburger Helper brings back the comforting flavors of childhood but with real, wholesome ingredients. It’s cheesy, savory, and comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or a nostalgic dinner treat.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste heaping
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese freshly grated
- to taste salt & pepper
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium-high heat. Break up the meat as it cooks and stir occasionally until it’s fully browned. If there’s excess fat, spoon most of it out.
- Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder. Mix well so the beef gets evenly coated with that rich, seasoned tomato goodness.
- Add the beef broth to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the dry macaroni. Lower the heat slightly so it’s at a strong simmer, not a rolling boil.
- Let it cook uncovered for about 13 to 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. The pasta will soak up most of the broth and get tender. Keep an eye on the liquid level—if it’s drying out too fast, add a splash more broth.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and let it sit for a minute or two so the sauce thickens and flavors settle.
- Scoop it into bowls and dig in while it’s hot and gooey. It’s comfort food at its best.
Notes
- Grate your own cheese for the smoothest melt and richest flavor.
- Pre-shredded cheese can result in a gritty texture due to added starches.
- Watch the pasta closely and add broth as needed so it doesn’t dry out.
- Go low and slow when stirring in the cheese to avoid clumping or greasiness.
- Let the dish sit for a couple of minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend beautifully.
Nutrition
Calories: 501kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 44gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 1106mgPotassium: 624mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 640IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 437mgIron: 4mg
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