Homemade Hamburger Helper

It takes just 30 minutes to make.

By
Jasmine Smith
Jasmine Smith
Jasmine Smith is a recipe developer and tester for the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in Birmingham, Alabama, and her work has been published in Southern Living, EatingWell, RealSimple, Food & Wine Magazine, MyRecipes, Health, and Simply Recipes. 
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated April 19, 2024
homemade hamburger helper in a skillet on a table

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

I have incredibly fond memories of my mom making Hamburger Helper for dinner on busy weeknights. I would devour the stuff—something about the seasoned cheese sauce, noodles, and ground beef that hit all the right notes in my child brain. 

If I’m being honest, I still crave the stuff, but I rarely buy boxed mixes like that anymore. Plus, how many times have you tried a food from your childhood only to be disappointed? (I’m looking at you, SpaghettiOs.)

My world was rocked when I figured out it takes about five extra minutes to make homemade Hamburger Macaroni. The homemade version still has the nostalgia factor while tasting oh-so-much better thanks to beef broth and real cheddar cheese. Now I don’t have to wistfully remember the good old days—I can relive them, deliciously.

Easy Additions to Homemade Hamburger Helper

  • Spice things up with Creole or Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, or chili flakes
  • Add a bit of ketchup for a sweet, tangy flavor
  • Add some vegetables to up the nutritional value. Add diced bell peppers or tomatoes along with the onion, or toss in handfuls of fresh spinach or frozen peas at the end.
  • Garnish with parsley for a bit of freshness
homemade hamburger helper in a skillet at a table setting with two glasses of soda and a side salad

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

More Ground Beef Dinners

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 80/20 ground beef

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 2 1/4 cups beef broth, divided

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

  • 6 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups)

Method

  1. Brown the beef and onion:

    Heat a large, deep-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally to break the meat into crumbles, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Spoon off and discard any fat.

    ground beef cooked in a skillet for homemade hamburger helper recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
  2. Add the seasonings:

    Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

    cooked beef after seasoning is mixed in for homemade hamburger helper recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
  3. Add the liquids and cook the pasta:

    Add 2 cups of the beef broth and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once at a boil, stir in the milk and macaroni and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes.

    beef broth added to ground beef mixture for homemade hamburger helper recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
    pasta added to hamburger helper beef sauce

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
  4. Thicken the sauce:

    Stir together the cornstarch and the remaining 1/4 cup beef broth in a small bowl until combined. Add the cornstarch mixture to the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy, about 3 minutes.

    cornstarch and beef broth slurry for homemade hamburger helper recipe

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
    homemade hamburger helper in a skillet after slurry is added

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
  5. Add the cheese and serve:

    Remove from heat and stir in the cheese, ensuring it is fully melted and incorporated. Allow to sit and thicken about 5 minutes before serving. 

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add a splash of water before reheating to help loosen up the sauce.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

    hamburger helper in a skillet after cheese is added

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
    homemade hamburger helper on two plates at a table setting with two glasses of soda and a side salad

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
317 Calories
18g Fat
18g Carbs
20g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 317
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 1075mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 5%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 404mg 31%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 371mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.