This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe has all the nostalgic flavors of the boxed kind, but with a richer, fresher taste! Every bite features tender pasta and savory ground beef smothered in a rich and cheesy sauce. Bonus: it’s a one-pot meal ready in just 30 minutes!
Jorge and I have very fond memories of hamburger helper, as the boxed kind was one of our staple dinners when we first got married. We quickly figured out we could make it taste so much better when making it from scratch and have made it this way ever since!
Made with heavy cream and real cheddar cheese, the lusciously creamy homemade cheese sauce is what sets this homemade hamburger helper recipe apart. However, everything is still cooked in a single skillet and ready in 30 minutes. It’s the perfect family-approved weeknight dinner!
“We loved this homemade hamburger helper recipe – it’s SO rich and creamy! I used ground turkey and it was still delicious. Next time, I’ll add some hidden veggies (picky toddler at the table) like diced bell peppers or grated carrots. One pot meals are always a hit here, will definitely be making it again soon.” — Haley, busy mom of two and passionate home cook and baker.
Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground Beef: I prefer lean ground beef, but any ground meat, like ground turkey or chicken, will work! If you use a fattier cut, I recommend draining any excess grease after browning the meat.
- All-Purpose Flour: I like to use flour to make a roux to thicken the sauce, however you can use cornstarch instead. Once the pasta is cooked, whisk 2 teaspoons cornstarch into 1 tablespoon of beef broth (or water) and stir it into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, until thickened and continue with the recipe.
- Small Pasta Shells: This recipe also works well with elbow macaroni noodles. Just make sure to use a small bite-sized pasta for the best pasta to sauce ratio.
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream will give you the creamiest results, however you can use half and half or even evaporated milk.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: For best results, I recommend using freshly shredded cheese versus the bagged pre-shredded cheese. The bagged cheese has anti-caking agents on it that can thicken the sauce more than desired. If you do use it, you may want to add a little extra cream or broth to thin out the sauce!
Tips For Making This Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
This homemade version is ready in just a few quick steps! Have all your ingredients out and ready to go as this dish moves fast. Below you will find a few helpful tips, visit the printable recipe card below for full directions.
A wide, deep skillet or Dutch oven works best. Remember we are cooking everything together, so you will need to give the pasta room to cook without bubbling over.
Take your time browning the beef. Don’t rush this step! Let the ground beef sit undisturbed for a couple of minutes before stirring so it gets those delicious browned bits that add extra flavor to the sauce.
You may need to add a little extra broth. Depending on the type of noodles, your skillet, and how high you turn up the heat, you may need to add a little extra broth. If your pasta is not cooked through and you’re running out of liquid, stir in an additional ¼ to ½ cup of broth to keep things saucy.
Don’t overcook the pasta and test it early. Different pasta brands cook at slightly different times. Start tasting a minute or two before the recipe suggests. Remember that the pasta will continue to absorb sauce as it sits, so stop cooking once it’s just tender!
After adding the cheese and beef, let it rest before serving. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit for just a minute or two. The sauce will thicken up and cling perfectly to the pasta.
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Variations To Try
- Different Cheeses: While cheddar is traditional, feel free to experiment with different cheeses. Any melty cheese will work, such as mozzarella, Monterey jack, smoked gouda, white cheddar or a cheddar blend.
- Tex Mex Style: Skip the Italian seasoning and salt and use taco seasoning instead. Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce for more heat. I also like to add can of drained Rotel!
- Add Veggies: Sneak in some extra nutrition by adding finely chopped carrots, spinach, or peas.
- More Tomato Flavor: To deepen the flavor of tomato in the sauce, you can add up to 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
- Sour Cream: Many readers have commented that you can stir in a 1/2 cup of sour cream at the end, right before serving, for an even creamier sauce!
- Instant Pot: Prefer to use your instant pot? Try my instant pot hamburger helper instead!
How To Store Leftovers?
Just like the original, this homemade hamburger helper is best served fresh. However, you can store the cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just keep in mind, the pasta will absorb more of the sauce, so the leftovers won’t be as saucy once reheated.
Reheat in the microwave in short bursts, or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often. A splash of cream or broth when reheating can help to bring back some of the original the creamy texture.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, or ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth, or chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz small pasta shells, or small elbow pasta (Keep in mind 8 oz is half of a normal 1lb box of pasta.)
- ½ cup heavy cream, or half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
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Instructions
- In a large sauté pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Remove cooked ground beef from pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds.
- Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute, slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover with lid and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. If your noodles are not cooked through and you're running out of liquid, add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 cup broth as needed.
- Add in the cream and cheese and stir until all the cheese melted. Add back in ground beef, cook for 2 to 3 minutes more to re-heat ground beef. Remove from the heat and let it rest for a minute or two so the sauce can thicken, then serve immediately!
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What to Serve with Hamburger Helper?
This hearty hamburger helper recipe doesn’t require sides, it’s filling enough on its own! However, you can’t go wrong with a side salad, like my favorite Greek salad or refreshing cucumber tomato salad.
To get some extra greens in, these sautéed green beans or sautéed Brussel sprouts are great on the side. Don’t forget a slice of garlic bread, or some homemade garlic knots, to soak up the sauce!
More 30-Minute Dinner Ideas To Try
- You can’t go wrong with this creamy chicken Alfredo using my favorite homemade Alfredo sauce recipe!
- Cajun chicken pasta or this copycat Cajun jambalaya pasta are always a hit!
- This easy ground beef stroganoff is oh so hearty and creamy.
- Homemade spaghettiOs with meatballs is another childhood classic that deserves an upgrade.
- Chicken and dumplings with biscuits is my favorite quick comfort food dinner.
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This was a family hit! I haven’t made the boxed version in over 12-13 years b/c they changed the recipe and now it tastes yuck, so my kids have never experienced it. I don’t know that this tastes exactly like the old fashioned hamburger helper I grew up with but it’s pretty close and tasty! The ONLY thing I did differently was add a can of green peppers for some zest and it was a good option. I like the idea of adding some carrots and tomato chunks or other hidden veggies in the future too. Thanks for the recipe, bookmarking it now.
Delicious! So glad I found this simple yet oh so tasty and filling recipe. Only modifications- added finely chopped carrot and green pepper while cooking the onion. Used slightly less cheese and cream as the roux for me was pretty thick and tasty already. Topped with red pepper and parsley.
This is so good! Our family loves this dish.
Literally amazing!! never going back to box again. grated fresh cheddar but didn’t use all 2 cups , loved the taste! added a smidge more broth
I’m always looking for easy recipes for dinner after a long, busy day. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to make. It took about 30 minutes from beginning to end. It was a hit, and there were no leftovers! This recipe could easily be adapted to add more veggies to the mix. I will definitely make it again!
Super good! The only thing I suggest that I will change the next time I make this recipe is to not put as much cheese. But this was a big hit in my household!
This is a family go-to for us. Thank you so much:)
Love this recipe, kid friendly and so so yumy
Hi! Any idea if I can follow the recipe for the sauce but throw in already cooked noodles and let them simmer? Will that be too much broth? Thanks!
Hi Dina! If using already cooked noodles, I would cut the broth down in the sauce to 1/2 a cup. You can always add a little more to thin it out if needed once you add the pasta!
We loved this dish! Easy and really great flavor! I needed to add about a cup more of beef broth, otherwise made per recipe. Thanks!!
Such a quick and easy meal that the whole family loved! I will definitely make it again.
I left out the tomato sauce and used 1/3 cup velvet cheese instead of shredded cheddar.
This was the beat recipe ever!! I am a young black chef and this is very good for when you dont have the boxed version, and I do like both!!
Amazing! Doubled it and I added a splash or theee of worshersire sauce to the meat while it was separate. I would also recommend cooking the noodles slightly less as they can get a little mushy.
Just made this. It was a hit!!!!
I doubled the recipe because 1 box of Hamburger Helper doesn’t satisfy my family.
Well, everyone filled up quickly; so, yeah,
We have ALOT of leftovers. I’m guessing because this is clean eating without all of the other cr__. Definitely saving this recipe!!
This recipe is on the regular rotation for a quick supper dish! Thanks so much.
Have made this twice and it was great both times. I’m curious, does this freeze well?
Hi Ari! So glad you enjoy it! So because of the cream in the sauce, there is a chance that the sauce will split (the fat separating out of the sauce) once it’s thawed and reheated. However, quite a few people have left comments (here and on pinterest) that they have frozen and reheated it without issue. So, it’s kind of an at-your-own-risk kind of thing!
I was not a fan of this recipe. It came out tasting more like chili and not like hamburger helper. Won’t be making again sorry.
This recipe is ON POINT!!! So delicious! 10/10
how was yours so light? It almost looks like you didn’t put the tomato sauce in? But I agree, my kids all enjoyed this recipe.
Me and my family loved this! And I enjoyed making it.
I’m glad I found this recipe I have two picky eaters in my house and they both loved it…
Is it possible to make the sauce and the noodles separate without the sauce being runny? I have a gluten allergy but the rest of my family doesn’t, so we usually separate the noodles and sauce and combine in each individual’s bowl.
Hi Chelsie! You could make the sauce with just a little of the beef broth instead of the full 2 cups. That would keep it thicker and allow you to add the sauce to the cooked noodles. I’d recommend making the sauce and then adding in a tablespoon or two of beef broth at a time until you got a consistency you liked for the sauce. Hope this helps – and if you try it, please com back and let us all know how it works out!
Forgot to take the ground beef out before doing the pasta and spices and it still turned out great! Lol
agreed…I think it helped with the flavor actually. 🙂
Great recipe however I followed the basic directions of a Hamburger Helper and it turned out amazing tripled the batch
Best Home made Hamburger Helper! I absolutely love this recipe. Its easy to make and also any leftovers heat up great. You can sub ground chicken or turkey for the beef, but we always do beef. This recipe is going into a cookbook I am making for my daughter❤
yummm !! I added a can of diced tomatoes to mine to get a veggie in there lol (plus that’s how I sneak tomatoes with my daughter is adding petite diced to my spaghetti dishes !! will make again for sure.. thank you
So I made a HUGE meatloaf for dinner a few nights ago and had about 1 1/2 lbs as leftovers (I always cook like I’m feeding an army). I asked my husband if he likes Hamburger Helper and he said “Ummm yeah, it’s ok, but since when do you cook boxed food???” I said I don’t, I’m making it homemade with the leftover meatloaf!
Let me tell you, this came out amazing!!! I had to add more like 3 1/2 cups of beef stock and olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic because the meatloaf didn’t give off any grease, but everything else was the exact recipe and it was amazing!!!! Hubby is on his third bowl!!!! Thank you!!!