Easy one-pot Homemade Hamburger Helper – made with flavorful browned ground beef, tender macaroni pasta, and a creamy cheesy sauce. It’s a kid-friendly recipe that adults will love just as much.
Homemade hamburger helper that’s one hundred times better than a boxed mix, yet nearly just as easy. This is the nostalgic weeknight family dinner that will take you back to the 80s and 90s, but will be so much better than you remember. It’s pure comfort food.
This recipe calls for simple everyday ingredients and finishes with such satisfying flavor. It’s the cozy dinner you’ll have on repeat. Nothing fancy — just a hearty, one-pot, easy clean-up dinner that is just what you need after a long day.
Pair it with a basic side salad or some steamed veggies to round out the meal.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Used to brown the beef and keep it from sticking to the pot.
- Ground beef: The protein that makes this a hearty meal. Use lean ground beef, preferably 85% to 93%.
- Salt and black pepper: Season the beef and the sauce to taste.
- Sugar: Helps the beef brown and balances the acidity of the tomato paste.
- Yellow onion: Builds up the base flavor of the dish.
- Garlic: Added to boost flavor.
- Paprika and cayenne pepper: These add flavor, while the cayenne also adds heat. Omit the cayenne if you prefer a milder dish.
- Tomato paste: Adds a touch of tomato flavor to the sauce to complement the beef.
- Beef broth: You can also use beef base and water, or chicken broth. Using broth adds much more flavor than water alone.
- Macaroni: The foundation of the dish. The pasta starches also help thicken the sauce. Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.
- Heavy cream: A generous splash added for rich creaminess.
- Sharp cheddar cheese: Use sharp or extra-sharp cheddar as preferred — it really improves the overall flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: A sharp cheese that enhances flavor further. The combination of cheddar and parmesan makes the sauce extra delicious.
- Parsley: Optional, but adds a nice pop of color and freshness.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Prep the pot: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan, braiser, or pot over medium-high heat.
Dry and season beef: Dab ground beef dry with paper towels, then season both sides lightly with salt, pepper, and sugar.
Brown and break up beef: Break beef into large chunks and add to the pot. Using a spatula, press down slightly for good contact with the pan. Let sear until nicely browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn the beef, then continue to cook and break it into small pieces until cooked through.
Set beef aside: Transfer beef to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pan.
Sauté aromatics: Return the pan to medium heat and cook the onion until softened, then add the garlic, paprika, cayenne, and tomato paste, stirring until fragrant. Add the beef broth and macaroni, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the heavy cream, cheddar, and parmesan until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the beef to the pan, stir to combine, and season to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
