Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, quick, and delicious one-pan meal that brings back childhood memories. This classic dish combines ground beef, pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce, offering a hearty and satisfying meal for busy weeknights. Making it from scratch allows you to control the ingredients, making it fresher and more customizable than the boxed version.
Benefits
- Quick and Easy: Prepared in a single skillet, this dish is perfect for a weeknight meal.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasonings and vegetables to suit your preferences.
- Family-Friendly: A comforting meal that’s sure to please both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups beef broth (more if needed)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz pasta of choice (farfalle, elbow, or rotini)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Cook the Beef:
- In a large skillet with a lid, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Remove the beef from the pan and drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Create the Base:
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for about 1 minute.
- Gradually add the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add Pasta and Seasonings:
- Pour in the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the pasta, stir well, and cover with the lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender. If the mixture becomes too thick, add more beef broth.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese:
- Stir in the heavy cream and both cheeses (cheddar and Velveeta) until melted and well incorporated.
- Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, mixing it into the pasta and sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
- Serve:
- Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this homemade dish.
Helpful Tips
- Pasta Choices: Use your favorite pasta shape; adjust the cooking time as needed.
- Vegetable Additions: Feel free to add more vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- Broth Adjustments: Keep extra beef broth on hand to adjust the consistency of the sauce as the pasta cooks.
FAQs
- Can I use different types of cheese?
- Yes, you can substitute or mix other cheeses such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor.
- Is there a gluten-free option?
- Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Can I make this dish vegetarian?
- Substitute the ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables to balance the meal.
- Pair with garlic bread for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Servings
- This recipe serves 4-6 people.
Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Enjoy this homemade twist on a classic favorite that’s both delicious and easy to make!
Recipe Card
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, quick, and delicious one-pan meal that brings back childhood memories. This classic dish combines ground beef, pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce, offering a hearty and satisfying meal for busy weeknights. Making it from scratch allows you to control the ingredients, making it fresher and more customizable than the boxed version.
- – 1 lb ground beef
- – 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- – 1/2 cup onion (diced)
- – 1/2 cup bell pepper (diced)
- – 2 cups beef broth (more if needed)
- – 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- – 1 tsp oregano
- – 1/2 tsp basil
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – 8 oz can tomato sauce
- – 1 tsp salt
- – 1/4 tsp black pepper
- – 8 oz pasta of choice (farfalle, elbow, or rotini)
- – 1/2 cup heavy cream
- – 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- – 4 oz Velveeta cheese (cubed)
Cook the Beef
- – In a large skillet with a lid, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Remove the beef from the pan and drain, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.
Sauté the Vegetables
- – Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- – Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Create the Base
- – Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir for about 1 minute.
- – Gradually add the beef broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Add Pasta and Seasonings
- – Pour in the tomato sauce, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- – Add the pasta, stir well, and cover with the lid. Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is tender. If the mixture becomes too thick, add more beef broth.
Finish with Cream and Cheese
- – Stir in the heavy cream and both cheeses (cheddar and Velveeta) until melted and well incorporated.
- – Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet, mixing it into the pasta and sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to heat through.
Serve
- – Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this homemade dish.