Description
Homemade Hamburger Helper turns your weeknight dinner into a nostalgic, cheesy adventure with ground beef and pasta that beats any boxed version. Warm, satisfying comfort arrives quickly in your kitchen, giving you a speedy meal that brings everyone to the table with smiles.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
Starches:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Seasonings and Dairy:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat (375°F) and thoroughly cook 1 lb ground beef until no pink remains, breaking meat into small crumbles.
- Drain the entire fat content from the skillet using a colander, returning meat to the pan.
- Pour 1 cup beef broth and 1 cup milk into the skillet, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, and season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Increase heat to high and vigorously stir the liquid mixture until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add 2 cups elbow macaroni to the skillet, then immediately reduce heat to low (simmer setting around 200°F).
- Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and let the pasta simmer for exactly 10-12 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking.
- Remove the lid and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the surface, gently folding until the cheese completely melts and coats the pasta.
- Turn off heat and let the dish rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken slightly.
Notes
- Save time by using pre-shredded cheese, which melts more quickly and evenly.
- For a lighter version, swap ground beef for ground turkey or lean ground chicken.
- Boost flavor by adding a dash of smoked paprika or using sharp cheddar instead of mild.
- Gluten-free friends can substitute regular macaroni with gluten-free pasta to make this dish safe for their diet.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: One-Skillet
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg