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Home » Ground Beef Recipes

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Published: May 7, 2025 by Alexis · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Nostalgic and filling, this homemade hamburger helper recipe is a cozy and easy to make dish your whole family will enjoy. It comes together in under 30 minutes and is stick to your bones good!

homemade hamburger helper in a black cast iron skillet

This recipe has saved me on many busy nights when I’m short on time and have no idea what to make.

Thaw a pound of ground beef and get some water boiling for the macaroni. Dinner will be ready in no time!

It’s basically macaroni and cheese with browned and seasoned ground beef. What could go wrong?

hamburger helper in a black cast iron skillet served with a green salad

Ingredients for Homemade Hamburger Helper

homemade hamburger helper ingredients on a wood contertop
  • Ground Beef: 80/20 or your preference.
  • Butter: Used to saute the onion in. You could substitute oil.
  • Yellow Onion: Adds nice flavor to the dish when caramelized with the beef.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds garlic flavor without having to bite down on any garlic pieces.
  • Tomato Paste: A hint of rich tomato flavor in the background and also darkens the color of the sauce.
  • Turmeric Powder: Just a pinch for bright color.
  • Flour: Used to thicken the sauce.
  • Beef Broth: Deglazes the pan and creates a flavorful base for your sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce rich and creamy. Milk could be used in a pinch.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds flavor and thickens the sauce. I use orange cheddar for the color but you could use any cheese on hand.

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

Saute the onion in butter until softened and slightly caramelized.

onions sauteed in cast iron skillet

Add your ground beef and cook until browned.

ground beef being brown in skillet with onions

Add your seasonings. Stir and cook for another minute.

seasonings and tomato paste on the browned ground beef

Add flour and cook another minute.

flour on browned beef

Deglaze with beef broth, followed by heavy cream.

beef broth and heavy cream being added to beef mixture

Stir and cook until thickened.

creamy beef sauce on stove top

Stir in your grated cheese.

grated cheese in a creamy beef sauce

Add macaroni.

cooked macaroni on top of creamy beef

Enjoy!

homemade hamburger helper on the stovetop

What to Serve with Hamburger Helper

  • Broccoli & carrots - steamed and lightly buttered or roasted
  • Green salad - use a vinegarette and avoid creamy dressings

How to Store Hamburger Helper

  • Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to three days.
  • To freeze, store in an air tight container for up to a month. To heat up, thaw in the fridge over night and add a splash of cream or milk before microwaving or heating in the oven.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Alexis
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a nostalgic and cozy meal, and comes together in under 30 minutes. Little kid and hungry cowboy approved!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • ¼ onion - diced
  • 1 T butter
  • 3 T flour
  • 1 ½ C beef broth
  • 1 C heavy cream
  • 1 C cheddar cheese - grated
  • 1 t tomato paste
  • 1 t garlic powder
  • ¼ t turmeric
  • ½ t salt
  • ¼ t pepper
  • 2 ½ C macaroni - uncooked

Instructions
 

  • Saute onion in butter on medium low heat until softened and slightly browned.
  • Add ground beef and cooking until browned on medium high heat.
  • Turn heat to low and stir in tomato paste and spices.
  • Add flour and stir. Cook for another minute.
  • Add beef broth and heavy cream. Simmer on low until sauce thickens.
  • Stir in cheese.
  • Add cooked macaroni and stir until the noodles are covered in the sauce.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley. Enjoy!

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Alexis smiling in her kitchen

Howdy! I’m Alexis

I specialize in easy to make beef dishes that are fit for hungry cowboys.

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