Name: Homemade Hamburger Helper
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 8 ounces elbow macaroni (half of a typical box); 4 cups beef broth; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt

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This Homemade Hamburger Helper is a cozy, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!

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If you are a parent or child of the 80’s, chances are hamburger helper was on the menu fairly often. It was beefy, cheesy, cheap, and quick! However, I promise you’ll love this version much better. I adored the boxed version as a kid, but there is no comparison to a meal that’s made from scratch.

Homemade Hamburger Helper is tender pasta cooked directly in a rich, cheesy sauce alongside seasoned ground beef, creating a creamy, flavorful dish the whole family will love. Made with simple pantry staples, it’s a healthier, more flavorful version of the boxed classic—no preservatives, just real ingredients.

The best part- it’s ready in under 30 minutes!

Try Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff or Homemade Spaghettio’s. Both family favorites!

Why you’ll love it

One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze!
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
Simple Ingredients: With just five main ingredients—ground beef, beef broth, macaroni, tomato paste, and cheddar cheese—you can whip up a hearty meal in no time.
Packed with Flavor: This homemade version of Hamburger Helper is miles ahead of the boxed kind! Bold spices and fresh ingredients make it incredibly tasty.
Full Control: Know exactly what’s in your dish and adjust the ingredients to fit your preferences.
Budget-Friendly: Made with affordable pantry staples, it’s an economical option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
Cozy Comfort Food: Warm, filling, and satisfying—it’s the ultimate dish when you’re craving something hearty.
Highly Adaptable: No ground beef? Try ground turkey, chicken, or sausage. Out of cheddar? Use whatever cheese you have on hand. Short on elbow macaroni? Any short pasta works. You can even swap beef broth for chicken or vegetable stock.
This dish is versatile, delicious, and perfect for making the most of what you already have in your kitchen!

What do I need?

You probably already have the ingredients on hand, which makes this recipe an easy go to dinner for those night you don’t know what to make for dinner.

A large pot-I love a Dutch Oven for this dish
Lean ground beef (or turkey)
Shredded cheddar cheese– I recommend shredding the cheese yourself with this cheese grater, it will melt so much better. However if you only have bagged shredded cheese on hand, that will work too.
Tomato paste– to add to the flavor
Elbow macaroni– or any short pasta like bowties, cavatappi, and rotini
Seasonings-chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
Beef broth– a full carton

How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper

This is just an overview- full recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Brown you ground beef over medium heat in a large dutch oven until no longer pink, about 7- 10 minutes; drain grease if necessary.

Add in the seasonings, tomato paste and beef broth. Bring the beef mixture to a boil over high heat.

When the beef broth is boiling add in the uncooked macaroni.

Lower the heat to medium and continue cooking 10-13 minutes, until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.

When the pasta is tender, sprinkle in the shredded cheese and stir together until melted.

Allow to cool and thicken. Dish it up and dig in!

I like to serve homemade hamburger helper with a simple garden salad or veggies.

Tips

Add bacon for a meatier dinner
If you don’t like chili power, use paprika instead. If you do like the heat, add crush red pepper flakes and hot sauce.
Add in diced onions and/or bell peppers when browning the beef.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days in an air tight container. If it’s too thick when you reheat add a splash of beef broth. Reheat on the stove top in a pot or in the microwave.
Do not cook the macaroni separately and add it in, trust me on this one! It must be cooked in the pot with the beef broth in order to achieve the right creamy consistency.
This dish does not freeze well, in my experience. Best to be enjoyed immediately.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.

More easy meals

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