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One Pan, 30 Minute Hamburger Helper
This Homemade Hamburger Helper is everything we love about the nostalgic boxed version, but made from scratch with simple ingredients and so much more flavor. It’s cheesy, beefy, cozy, and exactly the kind of dinner that gets everyone to the table without complaining.
It is one of those recipes I pull out on busy weeknights when I need dinner to basically make itself and my kids are always happy when they see it on the stove. Everything cooks in one pan, it uses ingredients I usually already have, and there’s only one dish to wash when dinner is over.
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Equipment
- 1 Large Deep Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef ground turkey or chicken also works
- 1 small white/yellow onion diced
- 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth plus more to taste
- 2 cups uncooked, short pasta I used Lumaca Rigata, but elbows work great!
- 2 cups freshly grated mild cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the beef. Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the tomato paste. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Cook the pasta. Pour in the beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the uncooked pasta. Cook for 13–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender. If the liquid is absorbed before the pasta is cooked, add more broth, ½ cup at a time.
- Make it cheesy. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the freshly grated cheddar until completely melted and creamy.
- Let it thicken. Remove from the heat and let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken as it rests. Stir and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @thecookingmawma and let me know what you think. My family loves it, and I hope yours does, too!
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Cook the tomato paste before adding the broth. Give it a full 2–3 minutes in the pan with the beef until it darkens slightly. This takes away that raw tomato taste and gives your Homemade Hamburger Helper a deeper, richer flavor.
- Make it your own. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days; add a splash of broth when reheating to bring back the creaminess.
- Don’t let the pasta dry out. The pasta cooks directly in the broth, so keep an eye on the liquid. If it’s absorbed before the pasta is tender, add more broth ½ cup at a time rather than letting the bottom of the pan burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of pasta works best for Homemade Hamburger Helper?
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Why is my Homemade Hamburger Helper too thick or too thin?
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This has become a go to feel good yummy weekday meal. It’s so easy to have on hand!
Thank you so much, Jennifer, for leaving this kind review. I’m so glad your family loves it. And I agree – it’s too easy not to have on hand lol! Thanks again. XOXO
This is one of my kids FAVORITES! I hope your family loves it, too!