We’re not going to lie. Hamburger Helper is yummy. But, hold on. Homemade is always better.
We love taking classic dinners that so many of us have grown up eating and giving them a new twist. This is truly the perfect weeknight dinner. No fancy ingredients and it’s ready in about 30 minutes. Serve with simmered green beans and rolls for the perfect easy weeknight meal. Always a huge hit with kids and adults!
How To Make Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper
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The Ingredients You Will Need
As mentioned, many of the ingredients for this you very well may already have on hand. And if there any of these seasonings you don’t have on hand, you can leave them out (if you don’t have time to pick them up), and it will still be delicious.
Butter – Unsalted, or use oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
Onion – Finely chopped. If you don’t like onion, just leave it out.
Beef – 85% lean is recommended.
Seasonings – Paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt, and pepper.
Worcestershire sauce – This adds a depth of flavor. You can substitute low sodium soy sauce.
Tomato sauce – The small can.
Beef broth – Or water, or chicken stock (or broth).
Cream – We prefer half and half, but you could go with milk (whole or 2%), or heavy cream.
Cheese – A block of your favorite cheese (ie, cheddar, Colby, Monterrey Jack) is best. Use a hand grater or your food processor to shred the cheese. Pre-shredded package cheese has a non-sticking additive.
Parsley – Finely chopped, for garnish. Optional.
EXPERT TIP: As mentioned, you can substitute whole milk for the half and half. For an extra silky sauce, you can use heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a slight simmer, not a heavy boil.
Tips for Making Perfect Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper
Remove Excess Grease – After the beef is know longer pink, there will be some grease that was released. Grab a small bowl, tilt your skillet, and carefully spoon most of the grease out of the skillet. Leave about 1 tablespoon left for flavor. Discard the grease in a container with a lid, not down the drain.
Let the Seasonings “Blossom” – Stir the seasonings into the cooked meat before adding the liquid ingredients. This lets the aromatics from the spices “blossom” and release more flavor.
Shred the Cheese from a Block – Pre-shredded packaged cheese will work in a pinch. But, there are non-caking additives in shredded cheese. It’s not un-healthy, but doesn’t produce as a creamy of a sauce. Grab your box grater and grate a block of cheese for best results.
Thin Sauce, If Necessary – Have a little extra broth, cream, or water on hand. If the sauce feels too thick, simply add a little more liquid until you reach the desired consistency. The sauce will also thicken as it rests before you serve it.
How To Serve
This is the perfect one-pot wonder dish.
Simply place the skillet on the table and let the family serve themselves.
A green leaf lettuce is a nice side dish. Or simmered green beans and freshly baked biscuits.
EXPERT TIP: Shredding the cheese from a block of cheese makes a big difference in the texture of the sauce. Leave a little extra cheese to add to the top of the dish. It will melt from the residual heat.
Other Amazing Ground Beef Recipes to Try
Ground beef is versatile and wonderful in so many classic recipes. Here is a collection of our favorite recipes that we are certain you and your family will love!
Tex-Mex Pasta with Ground Beef
One-Pot Chili Mac
Slammin’ Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joe Casserole
Best-Ever Meatloaf
Greek Moussaka (Ground Beef and Eggplant Casserole)
Guinness Ground Beef Pot Pie
Salisbury Steaks with Mushroom Gravy
Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs
Albondigas (Mexican-Style Meatballs)
Tex-Mex Beef Tacos
These are all absolutely amazing in every possible way. But, in the meantime, isn’t this calling your name?
We love this dish for so many reasons. First, and foremost, it’s delicious.
But, also, it comes together in only 30 minutes.
It’s easy to adapt to what you have on hand. And it is loved by both kids and adults alike. What’s better than that?
If you’re in a crunch for time to get something satisfying and filling on the table that the entire family will love, this is the recipe for you.
You can even substitute ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken in place of the beef, if desired.
We’re not knocking the boxed variety, it’s yummy, too. But, folks, homemade will always be better. And this is no exception to that rule!
Ready to make a dinner that everyone in the house will love? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper
Video
Equipment
- 1 Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 2 cups half and half or whole milk
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese shredded, preferably from a block
- 2 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Tilt the skillet to the side and spoon out most of the rendered grease. Discard safely.½ cup onion, 1 lb ground beef
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, mustard, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring often, for about 1 minute. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, beef broth, and half and half. Stir to combine. Bring to a slight simmer and stir in the pasta. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is just cooked, about 10 to 12 minutes.1½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 8 oz can tomato sauce, 2 cups beef broth, 2 cups half and half, 2 cups elbow macaroni
- Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and continue stirring until melted. Sprinkle the remaining half cup on the top, cover the skillet with the lid, and let rest for about 5 minutes. Serve at once, garnished with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.1½ cups cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoon parsley
Sandi says
Haven’t made yet but we have been using ground chicken, plan to use in this recipe. Have two questions : would you use chicken broth rather than beef? Also what does the ground mustard do to the recipe?
I’m a foodie so I need to know! Following you for years!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Sandi! Sure, if you’re going with ground chicken (great choice!), go with chicken broth. The mustard gives a little more depth to the flavor profile. Mustard isn’t spicy, but, it gives the sauce a bit of a punch. Not much, but we like the subtle flavor it adds. Let us know if you make the dish and what you think. We think you’ll love it!!! Keep us posted! xo Kris & Wesley
Merrie says
Loved it!!! I am challenged when it comes to cooking and ideas for it. I used cavatappi pasta (that’s as far as I get with creativity, saving the elbow for Mac and stewed tomatoes) . Fortunately, I had everything needed and it was a hit. I appreciate you two so much! Thank you
Kris Longwell says
Hi Merrie! Yay!! We are thrilled you made the homemade hamburger helper and had such great success!! We appreciate you, too!!! Thanks for sharing and for the wonderful review. That means so much to us!! Please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Sharon says
I made this today for a late lunch. It was absolutely delicious!! I will definitely make it again!! Thank you for sharing your recipes. I love watching your videos. Wesley is always in such a great mood. He’s very uplifting!!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Sharon!! That is awesome! We are THRILLED you made the homemade hamburger helper and loved it!!! And thank you for your love and support! It means the world to us both!!! Thank you so much for the wonderful review!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!! xo Kris & Wesley
Mark Lawton says
Hey guys! Long time!
I’ve been dying to make this every night since it first posted. Finally got around to it the other night. Absolutely delicious! Definitely better than the original. My wife and daughter raved about it and we enjoyed it as leftovers as well. I made it exactly as suggested, though skipped on the parsley.
As with all of your recipes I’ve tried, I’ll definitely be making this one again. And again!
Thank you, gents!
Barbara Snedegar says
This was really good! I may back off on the Worcestershire sauce just a tad. So quick and easy. Family loved it.
Katherine says
What a delicious, easy and wholesome recipe to fill the bellies of my two sons (22 & 17) who are always “starving” !! And so easy to make. Thank you, this will be a regular around here.
Marcy says
This had two grown men (actually small boys in bigger clothes) licking their plates and skipping dessert so they could have thirds.
Kris Longwell says
Marcy!!! You just made our day! We are THRILLED you and your “boys” loved the homemade hamburger helper! Tell the guys we do the same thing when we make the dish! So so glad you had such great success with the recipe and THANK YOU SO MUCH for letting us know and for the wonderful review. That means so much to us! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Gotta EAT says
OooooooAHhhhhhhhhhh……..You both have this Magical hold over me EVERY SINGLE TIME I watch one of your videos! Drool city here! I am SO making this TONIGHT, fellas! This is COMFORT food at its finest and right up my alley! I used to take a thermos of Chef Boyardee for lunch all through high school! Beefaroni was my favorite! Then, once on my own, Hamburger Helper was on regular rotation. It’s been about 35 years since then, (funny how marriage can change one’s cooking and eating habits). Time I revisit my favorites. Thank You for bringing back some great memories and making them even tastier! Love You Guys!!XXOO
Kris Longwell says
Woo hoo! We hope you made the homemade hamburger helper and we really hope you enjoyed it!! Love preparing food that brings back good memories! Sending so much love back to you, too!! xoxo Kris & Wesley