Nostalgic and filling, this homemade hamburger helper recipe is a life saver on busy week nights. Made with simple ingredients, and comes together in under 30 minutes. Its stick to your bones good!
This Recipe is:
- made it under 30 minutes
- perfect for picky eaters and hungry husbands
- inexpensive
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, get some water boiling for the macaroni, and dinner will be ready in no time!
It’s basically macaroni and cheese with browned and seasoned ground beef. What could go wrong?
Ingredients for Homemade Hamburger Helper
- 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.
Add your ground beef and cook until browned.
Add your seasonings. Stir and cook for another minute.
Add flour and cook another minute.
Deglaze with beef broth, followed by heavy cream.
Stir and cook until thickened.
Stir in your grated cheese.
Add macaroni.
Enjoy!
What to serve with this recipe?
Steamed carrots and broccoli, or a green salad with a punchy vinagerette. Avoid creamy salad dressings as the dish is quite creamy and heavy.
How to store this recipe?
This recipe can be stored in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It also freezes well, thaw in the fridge over night and reheat in the oven for 20 minutes.
If you enjoyed this recipe, give my other simple ground beef recipes a try! Grandma’s Simple Meatoaf and Sweet and Sour Meatballs are always a life saver on busy week nights.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
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.
- Turn heat to medium high. Add ground beef and continue cooking until browned.
- Turn heat to low and stir in tomato paste, garlic powder, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- 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. Serve while hot.
Notes
- Ground beef can be substituted for ground chicken or turkey.
- Hide finely minced carrots in this dish for picky eaters. Saute them with the diced onion.
- Add a splash of heavy cream when reheating if needed.
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