Homemade Hamburger Helper Is So Much Better Than the Boxed Stuff (2024)

Recipes By Ingredients
Beef
Ground Beef
Easy Ground Beef

It takes just 30 minutes to make.

Jasmine Smith

Jasmine Smith is a recipe developer and tester for the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in Birmingham, Alabama, and her work has been published in Southern Living, EatingWell, RealSimple, Food & Wine Magazine, MyRecipes, Health, and Simply Recipes.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

and

Laurel Randolph

Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated April 19, 2024

Easy Additions to Homemade Hamburger Helper

Spice things up with Creole or Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, or chili flakes
Add a bit of ketchup for a sweet, tangy flavor
Add some vegetables to up the nutritional value. Add diced bell peppers or tomatoes along with the onion, or toss in handfuls of fresh spinach or frozen peas at the end.
Garnish with parsley for a bit of freshness

Homemade Hamburger Helper Is So Much Better Than the Boxed Stuff (2)

More Ground Beef Dinners

Johnny Marzetti Casserole
Copycat Crunchwrap Supreme
Easy Shepherd's Pie
Cheeseburger Soup
Italian Meatballs

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound 80/20 ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
See Also
Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/4 cups beef broth, divided
1 cup milk
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon cornstarch
6 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)

Method

Brown the beef and onion:
Heat a large, deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally to break the meat into crumbles, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Spoon off and discard any fat.
Add the seasonings:
Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the liquids and cook the pasta:
Add 2 cups of the beef broth and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once at a boil, stir in the milk and macaroni and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.
Thicken the sauce:
Stir together the cornstarch and the remaining 1/4 cup beef broth in a small bowl until combined. Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy, about 3 minutes.
Add the cheese and serve:
Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, ensuring it is fully melted and incorporated. Allow to sit and thicken about 5 minutes before serving.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add a splash of water before reheating to help loosen up the sauce.
Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Easy Ground Beef
Most Recent
Comfort Food
Family Dinners
Ground Beef

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
317	Calories
18g	Fat
18g	Carbs
20g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	317
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g	23%
Saturated Fat 10g	49%
Cholesterol 58mg	19%
Sodium 1075mg	47%
Total Carbohydrate 18g	7%
Dietary Fiber 1g	5%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 2mg	12%
Calcium 404mg	31%
Iron 1mg	8%
Potassium 371mg	8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.