Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper

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

NOTE: If you liked this video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Remember to click the little ‘bell’ icon so you’ll never miss a new video. Thank you!

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 tbsp 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!

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

Homemade is always better and this recipe is no exception. See NOTES for easy substitutions. The dish comes together in about 30 minutes and easily feeds a family of 4 to 5. Leftovers heat up beautifully with a dash more of milk or broth. Weeknight dinner perfection!

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy weeknight dinner recipe, ground beef recipes, how to make homemade hamburger helper

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Resting time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 568kcal

Author: Kris Longwell

Equipment

• 1 Large skillet

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
• ▢ ½ cup onion chopped
• ▢ 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
• ▢ 1½ tsp salt
• ▢ ½ tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp paprika
• ▢ 1 tsp chili powder
• ▢ 1 tsp ground mustard
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tbsp 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 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
  1 tbsp 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 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground mustard, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp 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 tbsp parsley

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

Don't overcook the pasta with the sauce, otherwise the sauce may become too thick. If this happens, just thin the sauce with a splash or two of cream and/or broth. 

Leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week. Reheat on the stove with a few splashes of milk/cream and broth. 

Nutrition

Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 173mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 832mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1509IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 490mg | Iron: 4mg

Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!