Homemade Hamburger Helper

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If you need a hearty weeknight dinner, you can’t go wrong with Homemade Hamburger Helper. Made with macaroni noodles, ground beef, flavorful spices, sour cream and plenty of cheddar cheese, it’s the perfect one-pot meal.

A close-up shot of homemade hamburger helper pasta on a plate on top of a cork-material placemat

Homemade Hamburger Helper

One skillet meal in less than 30 minutes? Yes, please! Homemade Hamburger Helper is a real winner because it’s a filling, hot meal that the whole family loves. Best of all, you can customize the flavors and ingredients however you like.

While you’re here, be sure to check out these other delicious and easy dinner recipes: Easy Air Fryer Pizzas | Crockpot Crack Chicken | Instant Pot Chicken Tacos | Cheesy Taco Spaghetti | Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup

The Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make the Homemade Hamburger Helper (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the easy to print recipe card):

  • Ground beef – use a lean ground beef.
  • Ketchup – the ketchup just adds a little extra flavor.
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt
  • Pepper – you can use either black pepper or white pepper.
  • Macaroni noodles – be sure you use raw uncooked macaroni–it will cook in the pan with the other ingredients.
  • Chicken broth
  • Sour cream – we used a regular, full-fat sour cream. This ingredient adds a nice creaminess to the dish.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese – sharp cheddar adds great flavor, but you could use any type of shredded cheese that you like.

Sharp cheddar cheese, elbow macaroni, ground beef and the rest of the hamburger helper ingredients on a marble countertop

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet and cook over medium heat until completely browned. Drain off the excess grease and return the meat to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ketchup, seasonings, uncooked macaroni noodles, and broth.

Uncooked macaroni noodles inside of a skillet with ground beef, ketchup and various seasonings

Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, just until macaroni is cooked through.

Chicken broth being poured into a skillet with cooked ground beef and uncooked pasta

Stir in the sour cream, then add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir well until combined.

Cheddar cheese on top of the in-progress hamburger helper in a pan over the stove

Serve the homemade Hamburger Helper right away while it’s warm.

A skillet full of homemade hamburger helper on top of a striped kitchen towel

Variations

Cheese – try adding a blend of cheddar cheese and another cheese, like shredded gouda.

Turkey – ground turkey works really well in this recipe.

Spices – adjust the seasonings to your personal taste.

A serving of hamburger helper on a plate beside a fork with the full skillet in the background

Making Hamburger Helper Ahead of Time

Can you make Hamburger Helper ahead of time for a quick family meal? Absolutely. Here are two ways to accomplish this goal:

  1. Prep Ingredients – Cook the ground beef up to one day before it is needed. Store the beef in the refrigerator to have ready to toss in the skillet and make the Hamburger Helper in a flash the next day. Pull all of the other ingredients together and have them ready to quickly add to the skillet. You can even measure the ingredients out in advance so they’re ready to pour right in.
  2. Cook Ahead – Cook the Hamburger Helper up to one day in advance. Cover it well and store in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, heat it up in a large skillet.

A plate full of hamburger helper with a fork digging into the pasta on the left side

What to Serve with Hamburger Helper

  • French bread and butter
  • Steamed or roasted vegetables
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Salad

A plate piled high with homemade hamburger helper in front of the skillet with the remaining beef pasta

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A close-up image of hamburger helper pasta with a garnish of chopped fresh parsley
5 from 2 votes

Homemade Hamburger Helper

If you need a hearty weeknight dinner, you can't go wrong with Homemade Hamburger Helper. Made with macaroni noodles, ground beef, flavorful spices, sour cream and plenty of cheddar cheese, it's the perfect one-pot meal.
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cup macaroni uncooked
  • 32 ounces chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet and cook over medium heat until completely browned. Drain off the excess grease and return the meat to the pan.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the ketchup, seasonings, uncooked macaroni noodles, and broth.
  • Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, just until macaroni is cooked through.
  • Stir in the sour cream, then add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir well until combined. Serve immediately.

Last Step:

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Equipment

  • Stove
  • Large skillet with a lid.

Nutrition

Calories: 402kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1071mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 3mg

Categories:

Ground beef pasta with cheddar cheese inside of a large skillet