Easy Creamy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe Perfect for Quick Dinners
A quick and comforting homemade version of Hamburger Helper featuring creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and savory ground beef. Perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (85% lean recommended)
- 2 cups (200g) elbow macaroni
- 2 ½ cups (600ml) low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup (240ml) whole or 2% milk (can substitute almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1 ½ cups (170g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 oz (115g) softened cream cheese
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: ½ cup (75g) frozen peas or corn
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook 5-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sprinkle onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir and cook for 1 more minute to toast spices.
- Pour in beef broth and milk. Stir in elbow macaroni, ensuring pasta is submerged. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed.
- Lower heat to low. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until melted and creamy, coating the pasta evenly.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. If using, stir in frozen peas or corn and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley or chives, and serve immediately. Optionally, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Notes
[‘Brown beef properly without crowding the pan for better flavor.’, ‘Drain excess grease to avoid greasy sauce.’, ‘Simmer pasta gently on medium-low heat with lid to prevent burning.’, ‘Stir often but gently to prevent sticking and breaking pasta.’, ‘Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting and creaminess.’, ‘Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps.’, ‘Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers to restore creaminess.’, ‘Adjust seasoning gradually and taste as you go.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, comfort food, easy weeknight meal