Description
This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy one-pan meal that combines browned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a rich sauce made with tomato paste, beef broth, cream, and sharp cheddar cheese. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a delicious and hearty dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (reduce to ½ teaspoon for less heat)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 cups beef broth
- 8 ounces (about 1¾ cup) uncooked small elbow macaroni
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces (about 2 cups) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef and Onion: In a large skillet with tall sides over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together. Stir occasionally and break the beef into small bite-sized pieces. Cook until the beef is fully browned and the onion is softened, about 8-10 minutes. Spoon off and discard any excess fat.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook and stir for 1 minute until everything is well combined and fragrant.
- Cook Pasta in Broth: Pour in the beef broth and turn the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a boil. Then add the uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and cover the skillet with a lid. Let it simmer at a lively medium simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and let it warm through for about 1 minute.
- Incorporate Cheese and Rest: Remove the skillet from heat, then add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated into the sauce. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and develop a creamy-cheesy texture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot, enjoying the rich flavors and creamy texture. Optionally, leave a star rating and comment if you love this recipe!
Notes
- To reduce spice, cut chili powder to ½ teaspoon.
- Spoon off fat after browning beef for a leaner dish.
- Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese for best melting quality and flavor.
- Letting the dish rest before serving thickens the sauce perfectly.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger groups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American