If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, you know just how comforting a big bowl of cheesy beef and macaroni can be! This Homemade Hamburger Helper has all those nostalgic flavors, but it's made from scratch with simple ingredients and no boxed mix. Everything cooks together in one pot in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients You'll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy Homemade Hamburger Helper.
- Ground Beef: I like using lean ground beef so there's less grease to drain after browning.
- Yellow Onion: Adds flavor to the beef. Dice it finely so it blends right into the dish and is undetectable by the pickiest of eaters!
- Tomato Paste: Gives the sauce a rich, savory flavor.
- Garlic Powder: An easy way to add garlic flavor without chopping fresh garlic.
- Chili Powder: Gives this dish the classic "hamburger helper" flavor.
- Salt: of course!
- Beef Broth: The macaroni cooks directly in the broth, soaking up all that delicious flavor.
- Elbow Macaroni: Classic Hamburger Helper pasta but you can use any shape!
- Cheddar Cheese: Makes the sauce creamy and cheesy.
- Sour Cream: Adds extra creaminess and just a little tanginess.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Making Homemade Hamburger Helper from scratch is surprisingly easy, and you only need one pot!
Step 1: Brown the ground beef and onions
Add the ground beef and diced onion to a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions have softened, breaking the meat apart as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the seasonings.
Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring to evenly coat the beef and allow the tomato paste to develop its flavor.
Step 3: Add the beef broth.
Pour in the beef broth and bring everything to a boil.
Step 4: Cook the macaroni.
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook according to the pasta package directions, stirring occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
If there's still too much liquid after the pasta is tender, let it simmer for another few minutes until the broth reduces
Step 5: Make it cheesy!
Turn off the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese and sour cream until everything is melted, creamy, and combined.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy!
Serve warm while the sauce is nice and creamy!
Tips for the Best Homemade Hamburger Helper
Grate your own cheese. This is one of my biggest tips! Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking ingredients that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. Freshly grated cheddar gives you a much creamier sauce.
Don't overcook the pasta. Since the noodles cook directly in the broth, keep an eye on them and stir occasionally. You want them tender, not mushy.
Adjust the sauce as needed. If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of beef broth or milk. If it's too thin, let it simmer a little longer before adding the cheese.
Use a large enough pot. You'll need room to brown the beef, cook the pasta, and stir everything together without making a mess.
What to Serve With Homemade Hamburger Helper
This cheesy beef and macaroni is filling enough to serve on its own, but it also pairs well with a few simple sides.
A fresh green salad, steamed broccoli, roasted green beans, or garlic bread are all great options. I especially love serving it with something green to balance out the rich, cheesy sauce.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 and ½ cups uncooked elbow noodles (or any shape you prefer)
- 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Add your ground beef and onions to a large pot and cook over medium/high heat until the meat is fully browned.
- If there's an excess of grease from the meat (more than a tablespoon or 2), go ahead and drain it out.
- Add the tomato paste, chili powder, and garlic powder to the meat and cook for about 1 minute while stirring and distributing the tomato paste.
- Pour in the beef broth bring everything to a full boil.
- Add in your uncooked pasta then reduce the heat to a low simmer (slower, small bubbles). Cook the noodles according to the time on the pasta package. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles don't stick to the pan.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, turn off the heat and stir in the grated cheese and sour cream until melted and distributed evenly.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make Homemade Hamburger Helper without milk?
Yes! This recipe doesn't require milk at all. The beef broth cooks the pasta, while the cheddar cheese and sour cream create the creamy sauce.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Small pasta shapes like shells or rotini work well. Just be aware that different shapes may require slightly different cooking times and amounts of broth.
Why is my Homemade Hamburger Helper too runny?
If there's still a lot of broth in the pot after the pasta has finished cooking, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese and sour cream. The sauce will also thicken slightly as it cools.
Why is my cheese sauce grainy?
This usually happens when the cheese gets too hot or doesn't melt smoothly. For the best results, use freshly grated cheddar and turn off the heat before adding it.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! This is a great recipe to double when you're feeding a crowd or want leftovers for the week. Just make sure you're using a large enough pot and stir the pasta occasionally so it cooks evenly.
Leave a Reply