Sharing is caring!

This Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is a weeknight favorite.

This Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is my go to weeknight dinner! This homemade version of hamburger helper comes together quickly and is delicious.  Once you realize how easy this is to make you’ll never reach for the boxed stuff again!  Family friendly and picky eater approved!

I always love finding easy but comforting dinners that the whole family will love and that is why I love this Homemade Hamburger Helper.  This is such an easy weeknight dinner that is always a family favorite. It is quick, easy, filling and all comes together in one pot. 

We all grew up eating hamburger helper, it was a weeknight staple! I still reach for that box on super busy nights but I also love this homemade version and it comes together just as fast and all in one pot. 

Cheesy pasta is always picky eater approved and this one has hamburger and a kid friendly flavor. 

This is a one pot meal and that kind of dinner is my favorite, minimal clean up for a fabulous dinner.

It is so delicious and cheesy and the seasonings give it so much flavor and the cheese and pasta make it so comforting.  It comes together so quick and is perfect for those busy weeknights.

Can we talk about how inexpensive this dish is? Grocery prices have been a little crazy lately and we could all use a few budget-friendly dinners and hamburger helper is always a cheap but delicious option!  Pasta and ground beef are the base of this dish with just other ingredients making this dish great for when you want to stretch your dollar.  Plus the leftovers are so good the next day and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already. 

I love to serve this with these Lunch Lady Rolls and dinner is done!

You have to try this Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper, your whole family will love it!

Ingredients used

• Lean Ground Beef – I like to use lean ground beef but use whichever you like.
• Cornstarch – This helps thicken the sauce up. 
• Paprika – This gives color and flavor.
• Onion Powder –  For flavor, use your favorite brand. 
• Garlic Powder – This provides lots of flavor. 
• Sugar –  Just a bit adds big flavor and balance to this dish. 
• Ketchup –  You just need a bit for a little flavor. 
• Beef Broth –  I like to use low sodium. 
• Milk – Use whichever milk your family drinks. 
• Elbow Pasta – Any short pasta will work but elbow mac is traditional.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese –  I like to use a sharp cheddar for more flavor. 
• Parsley – This is optional just for color. 

This Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is easy to make

Just start with a couple of ingredients.

Brown the beef and add seasonings.

Add your stock and milk to the pot.

Add your pasta and cook.

Once cooked stir in the cheese to melt.

Dinners ready!

 

How to make Homemade Hamburger Helper

1. FULL RECIPE BELOW 
2. In a large pan over a medium-high heat, add ground beef brown, crumble and drain.
3. To the pan with the beef add your cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, pepper, ketchup, beef broth and milk.
4. Stir to combine.
5. Add in the elbow pasta.
6. Stir and bring up to boil.
7.  Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
8. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the noodles are cooked through.
9. Stir in the cheese.
10. Once the cheese is melted garnish with parsley and serve!

Can I use any protein?

You can use ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork or even diced up chicken tenderloins.

What is the best pasta for this?

Traditionally elbow macaroni is used but any short pasta you have on hand will work, shell and bowties work perfectly and rotini is also a favorite.  

What is the best cheese to use?

I like to use sharp cheddar as it provides great flavor but you can also use colby jack, pepper jack, any cheese you like.

Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is my go to weeknight dinner! This homemade version of hamburger helper comes together quickly and is delicious.  Once you realize how easy this is to make you’ll never reach for the boxed stuff again!  Family friendly and picky eater approved!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• ½ tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups milk
• 16 ounces elbow pasta
• 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. In a large pan over a medium-high heat, add ground beef brown, crumble and drain.
2. To the pan with the beef add your cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, pepper, ketchup, beef broth and milk.
3. Stir to combine.
4. Add in the elbow pasta.
5. Stir and bring up to boil.
6.  Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
7. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the noodles are cooked through.
8. Stir in the cheese.
9. Once the cheese is melted garnish with parsley and serve!

Notes

• Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• You can add pepperjack cheese for a spicy kick. 
• Use any short pasta you like.
• This works great with ground chicken too!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 693Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1297mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 48g

 Get more delicious One-Pot Recipes like this!

One Pot Sloppy Joe Pasta
One Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
One Pot Sausage & Peppers Pasta
One Pot Sausage Penne
One Pot Beefy Black Beans & Rice
One Pot Lasagna