Description
Creamy Homemade Hamburger Helper brings nostalgic comfort with its rich, cheesy one-pan magic that beats boxed versions hands down. Childhood memories merge with quick weeknight convenience, making dinner deliciously simple for hungry families craving classic comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (lb) lean ground beef (95%)
- 12 ounces (oz) macaroni (about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Aromatics:
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely minced (about 1 cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids, Sauce & Seasonings:
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 cups milk (any kind)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste (about 4 ounces)
- 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons corn starch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water to make a slurry
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Instructions
- In a large skillet, sauté ground meat with finely chopped onions and minced garlic over medium-high heat until meat is thoroughly browned and crumbly, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Pour hot water, milk, corn starch mixture, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and salt into the skillet with browned meat. Add macaroni and stir thoroughly to combine ingredients.
- Bring mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover skillet and simmer for 10-12 minutes, gently stirring every 3-4 minutes to prevent pasta from sticking or burning.
- Remove lid and sprinkle cheese evenly across the surface. Continue cooking uncovered for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally until cheese melts completely and sauce reaches desired thickness.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken. Serve hot, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or additional cheese if desired.
Notes
- Meat Selection Choose lean ground beef or turkey for a healthier twist, keeping the dish lower in fat while maintaining great flavor.
- Gluten-Free Swap traditional macaroni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Cheese Flexibility Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, monterey jack, or pepper jack to customize the taste profile and add extra excitement to the dish.
- One-Pot Wonder Save time on cleanup by using a single skillet throughout the entire cooking process, reducing dish washing and making meal preparation more convenient.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg