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Homemade Hamburger Helper

Enjoy the classic flavors you love with this easy homemade Hamburger Helper. It’s full of ground beef and macaroni all simmered in a creamy cheddar sauce. A quick meal for weeknight dinners, this is one both the kids and adults will adore!

Love ground beef recipes? Other favorites include salisbury steak, this Instant Pot goulash recipe and beef stroganoff recipe.

Wooden spoon getting a scoop of Hamburger Helper.
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Easy Dinner Recipe

You’ve probably heard of Hamburger Helper, right? It starts with a box of noodles and a packet of powdered sauce. You make it a ground beef recipe by adding milk and before you know it, you’ve got an easy dinner.

I am all for convenience like making oven baked hamburgers and boxes of Hamburger Helper can taste good, but I promise you that once you try making this 30 minute meal of homemade Hamburger Helper, you will wonder what took you so long! 

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

This version of the cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is creamy and cheesy and similar to the original. It’s made in just one pot because one-pot meals are a way of life in my kitchen, especially on busy weeknights! 

I use lean ground beef and elbow macaroni as the base and the sauce is a combination of beef broth, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. It’s rich and smooth and tastes amazing!

My family is always happy when this recipe is on the weekly menu! If you’re looking for other ideas that use beef and pasta, you might like this beef and noodle soup.

Ingredients

These ingredients are full of flavor and all the pantry staples that you know and love! This easy homemade hamburger helper recipe is the best family dinner to make on a busy weeknight. Take your childhood favorite recipe and create it all homemade!

Hamburger Helper ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Ground beef: I use lean ground beef which isn’t too fatty. The cheese and heavy cream make this dish rich enough already!
  • Onion: I use chopped yellow onion for its milder taste. If you’re out of onions, you can substitute them for a tablespoon of dried onion powder.
  • Sauces: Just a couple of tablespoons of ketchup and a teaspoon of mustard adds flavor to the dish. If you like it hot, you can also add a splash or two of your favorite hot sauce at the end.
  • Seasonings: I keep it pretty simple by adding seasoning salt (Lawry’s or similar), garlic powder, Kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
  • Dry elbow noodles: I like the elbow (or macaroni) noodles in this dish because they fill up with all of the cheesy sauce making each bite burst with delicious flavor.
  • Beef broth: Use your own homemade broth or look for a low-sodium version in your local grocery store. That way you can control the amount of salt in your dish.
  • Heavy cream: You don’t need a lot of cream, just 3 – 5 tablespoons will do to help make the sauce silky smooth.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: I like the flavor of sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you can substitute it for your favorite kind. Just make sure it’s a cheese that melts nicely.

Variations

The homemade version of the classic cheeseburger macaroni is amazing just as it is, but you can definitely make some tweaks to suit your tastes. Create the best variation for your family!

  • Add extra veggies. Add when cooking the onions. Sometimes I’ll add in chopped bell peppers, celery, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms. 
  • Replace heavy cream. You can substitute sour cream or softened cream cheese for the heavy cream.
  • Different pasta. This recipe will work with any pasta shape. I like to use any kind that can hold some of the sauce like elbow, penne, rotini, or shells. You can also switch to regular pasta for whole wheat.
  • Different meat. You can use ground turkey, bacon, sausage, or ground chicken (along with chicken broth) if you prefer.
  • Different cheese. Any cheese will work as long it will melt into the sauce. How about mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack is a great option if you like a bit of heat.
  • Other spices. Paprika or red pepper flakes can add a bit of a kick!

How to Make Hamburger Helper

Follow this easy recipe to make the creamiest homemade hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni! It is so simple to make and comes together quickly and easily. Make this family dinner with all the ingredients you know and combine them for the most flavorful dinner!

Step by step collage making Hamburger Helper.
  1. Brown beef. Cook the ground beef and chopped onions in a large pot over medium heat. As the beef cooks, use a spoon to break up the larger pieces so that everything is browned evenly. If there’s extra grease in the pan, drain it before moving on to the next step.
  2. Add seasoning and noodles. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, and seasonings and cook for 1 minute. Follow up with the dry noodles and broth. The noodles will cook as the liquid simmers and comes to a boil.
  3. Simmer. Let the mixture come to a light simmer and then put the lid on the pot. Everything will bubble away for 10 to 12 minutes until the noodles are tender. Halfway through the cooking time, give it a good stir to make sure the noodles aren’t sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Serve. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheese until it’s completely melted. Season to taste, garnish with some chopped fresh parsley, and serve while it’s fresh and hot!

Helpful Tips

Follow these easy and helpful tips to make this homemade hamburger helper just the way you like it! Freshly grated cheese is a huge must, a large pot is the best way to fit it all in and learn about the balance of ingredients. These tips are spot on for the best dinner!

  • Use freshly grated cheese. The packs of pre-grated cheese are convenient, but anytime I’m adding cheese to a sauce, I prefer to grate my own. Pre-grated cheese is often coated in starch so it doesn’t clump together in the bags and this starch can sometimes affect its ability to melt perfectly.
  • Use a pot. It’s easier to use a pot to make this dish rather than a large skillet. A skillet will be too full which will make it difficult to stir everything together.
  • Add more liquid. If it looks like your cheeseburger hamburger helper is dry as it simmers, add a bit more broth to the pot.
  • Thicken sauce. If the sauce looks a bit too watery after it simmers, remove the lid, and let it simmer for a couple of minutes longer to let the sauce reduce. Adding the cream and cheese will also help to thicken up the sauce.
Spoonful of Hamburger Helper in a pot.

What to Serve with Homemade Hamburger Helper

This recipe is really a one-pot meal on its own, but if you would like to round out your meal, you can try serving some of these quick options on the side. Make this a complete meal with these savory sides.

  • Salad. Chopped salad or cucumber tomato salad is a light and delicious side dish that goes perfectly with so many dinners.
  • Veggies. Green beans are the perfect combination with this homemade hamburger helper.
  • Bread. Adding a slice of garlic bread with this macaroni hamburger helper is an easy and delicious side.

Recipe FAQs

Why make Hamburger Helper from scratch?

While boxes of Hamburger Helper are tasty and quick to make in a pinch, the homemade recipe lets you control the seasoning and customize it to your personal tastes. Plus, it doesn’t take much longer than the boxed version!

What is the best pasta to use?

This is really down to personal preference. I recommend using a noodle shape that can absorb and hold the cheesy sauce. Elbow macaroni and shells are great options! Egg noodles would also be a good choice, although they don’t hold the sauce in the same way.

Can I make it without meat?

Absolutely! You can make this recipe vegetarian by leaving out the meat and replacing the beef broth with vegetable broth. Add in some extra veggies or try your favorite vegetarian crumble.

Fork taking a scoop of Hamburger Helper.

Make Ahead

As I mentioned, this dish always tastes the best when it’s served fresh right off the stove! If you’d like to get ahead in your meal prep for the week, you could brown the beef and the onions and store them in the fridge in an airtight container until you’re ready to make the meal later in the week.

Storing and Reheating

This homemade hamburger helper recipe is best eaten when it’s hot and fresh. As it sits, the macaroni will start to absorb more of the sauce so it won’t be quite as creamy.

  • Fridge instructions: Put the leftover cheeseburger pasta into an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat it, put it into a microwave-safe dish and add a little bit of broth to revive the creaminess of the sauce. Microwave for 1 minute and stir. You can also reheat it in a pot on the stovetop.
  • Freezer instructions: Freeze any leftovers in an 8×8-inch metal tin wrapped with foil. When ready to eat, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and cook at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until hot. You can also top it with extra cheese before baking.
Hamburger Helper in a pot on a counter.

5 star review

“So easy and delicious! I love that it isn’t packed with a bunch of fillers liked the boxed version. I’m going to try it with some pepper jack cheese next time. Yum!

-Kara

Looking for more ground beef recipes? Try this hamburger casserole, tater tot casserole recipe, or goulash!

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Spoonful of Hamburger Helper in a pot.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

5 from 17 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Enjoy the classic flavors you love with this easy homemade Hamburger Helper. It’s full of ground beef and macaroni all simmered in a creamy cheddar sauce. A quick meal for weeknight dinners, this is one both the kids and adults will adore!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Video

Equipment

  • 1 6 qt enameled cast iron dutch oven

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 1-2 teaspoons  Dijon mustard , plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt , such as Lawry’s
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • kosher salt , to taste
  • ground black pepper , to taste
  • 1 ½ cups dry elbow noodles
  • 3 ½ cups beef broth
  • 3-5 Tablespoons heavy cream , at room temperature
  • 1 1/2-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook the beef and onion over medium heat. Break apart the beef with a spoon and cook until browned. Drain any grease, if needed.
  • Stir in the ketchup, mustard, seasoned salt, garlic powder, Kosher salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute. Stir in the dry noodles and broth.
  • Bring to a light simmer and cover with a lid. Cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent noodles from sticking.
  • Remove from heat and pour off any extra liquid, if needed. Stir in 3 Tablespoons heavy cream and the cheese. Stir until melted. Add more heavy cream, if desired. Season to taste. Add hot sauce, if desired, to kick up the heat. For a creamier sauce add in extra heavy cream. Serve while hot!

Notes

Variations: 
  • Feel free to add in any extra veggies you might like. Just add when cooking the onions. Sometimes I’ll add in chopped celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms. 
  • You can substitute sour cream or softened cream cheese for the heavy cream, if desired. 
Freezer instructions: Freeze any leftovers in a 8×8-inch metal tin wrapped with foil. When ready to eat, place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and cook at 350°F for 30 to 45 minutes, or until hot. You can also top with extra cheese before baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 885mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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