Homemade Hamburger Helper
This homemade Hamburger Helper is a creamy, cheesy one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, tomato paste, and cheddar cheese—ready in under 30 minutes and tasting better than the boxed version.
This homemade Hamburger Helper is a creamy, cheesy one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, tomato paste, and cheddar cheese—ready in under 30 minutes and tasting better than the boxed version.
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In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic until the beef is fully browned.
Drain any excess fat from the pot.
Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Stir in the pasta, bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until the pasta is al dente and most of the broth has been absorbed.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it's melted and the sauce is creamy.
For extra creaminess, stir in the heavy cream until well combined. This step is optional.
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly before serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
Yes. Small pasta shells work best, but small elbow pasta, ditalini, or penne will absorb the broth similarly. Avoid long pasta shapes.
Cook to al dente (just tender), which takes about 8-12 minutes depending on your pasta. The dish continues to thicken as it rests for 5 minutes.
Yes. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
No. The cheese creates plenty of creaminess on its own. Heavy cream (2-4 tbsp) is optional and adds extra richness.
Yes. Double all ingredients and use a larger pot or Dutch oven. Increase cooking time by a few minutes to ensure the pasta reaches al dente.
