Creamy, cheesy homemade version of Hamburger Helper—one skillet, ground beef simmered with pasta in a tomato-milk sauce, finished with cheddar for perfect comfort food in under 30 minutes.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• All elements cooked together in one pan—easy prep and cleanup

• Balanced savory-spicy-cheesy flavor with wholesome ingredients

• Flexible: add veggies, adjust spices, use different proteins

• Family-pleasing and fridge-friendly for leftovers

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This homemade version of Hamburger Helper delivers all the creamy, cheesy, pasta-lover satisfaction without the boxed shortcuts. Ground beef, fragrant with garlic and paprika, simmers with onions before being crowned with tomato sauce, elbow macaroni, milk, and beef broth—creating a velvety sauce that doubles as the pasta’s cooking liquid, infusing flavor into every tender noodle.

From the first bubble of simmering macaroni to the moment sharp cheddar melts into the sauce, the kitchen fills with the aroma of home. It’s nostalgia reinvented—familiar but fresher, wholesome but convenient. Each swirl of cheesy sauce clinging to plump pasta bites carries warmth, comfort, and a hint of spice.

The real magic lies in its balance: protein, pasta, and dairy meet in melodious harmony. The gentle heat from paprika and cayenne underscores rather than overpowers, while parsley lends a hint of green, freshness in every forkful. It’s a complete dinner that requires just one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.

What feels like sticking to a childhood favorite is actually an upgraded version—no preservatives, no surprise additives, and control over seasoning, spice, and cheese level. You can make it richer with extra cheese, lighter by using low-fat milk or turkey broth, or bolder with a sprinkle of chili flakes.

For families, it serves beautifully. The pasta doesn’t get mushy, the sauce stays creamy, and leftovers reheat deliciously—just a minute in the microwave or a cozy warm-up in a saucepan restores that first-night appeal. It’s weeknight dinner worries dispelled in one comforting dish.

The best part is flexibility—add veggies like peas or diced bell peppers for nutrition, stir in a spoonful of sour cream for tang, or go bold with extra cayenne. This dish molds itself to your kitchen rhythm, satisfying whatever flavor or convenience you prefer.

In sum, this homemade Hamburger Helper is comforting, easy to make, and thoroughly satisfying—it’s the pasta-and-beef combination you love, done your way, from scratch.

SERVINGS & TIME

• Servings: 6–8 generous portions

• Prep Time: 5 minutes

• Cook Time: 15 minutes simmer + 2 minutes cheese melt

• Total Time: ~22 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb lean ground beef (500 g)

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• Pinch to ½ tsp cayenne powder

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1½ cups milk (355 ml)

• 1½ cups beef broth (355 ml)

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked (260 g)

• 8 oz can (227 g) tomato sauce

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (225 g)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown beef with onion and seasonings—paprika, parsley, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Stir in milk, beef broth, macaroni, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

3. Remove lid, stir in cheddar cheese until silky and combined.

TIPS

• Stir in chopped bell peppers or peas to boost nutrition.

• Substitute part of beef with ground turkey or chicken for lighter version.

• Use low-fat milk or broth to reduce calories.

• For extra creaminess, stir in a dollop of sour cream.