This creamy, cheesy one-pot hamburger helper is an easy, homemade version that takes about 30 minutes and delivers rich, comforting flavor.
I didn’t grow up with boxed hamburger helper; I tried it in my early twenties. My husband loved it right away, but I felt I could make it better at home. This recipe is simple, satisfying, and much tastier than the boxed version.
If you like quick one-pot dinners, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients for one-pot homemade hamburger helper:
- Ground beef – You can use extra-lean or regular ground beef; if using regular, drain excess grease after browning.
- Onion – One small yellow onion, diced. It adds a lightly caramelized sweetness.
- Tomato paste – Adds acidity and depth of tomato flavor.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sazon (optional), plus salt and pepper to taste.
- Chicken broth – I prefer chicken broth because it’s milder than beef broth and won’t overpower the sauce.
- Heavy cream – Essential for a rich, creamy sauce.
- Pasta – Macaroni works well; cavatappi is ideal because it holds the sauce nicely.
- Cornstarch slurry – A mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce.
- Cheddar cheese – Mild or sharp, grated, added at the end for the cheesy finish.
How to make homemade hamburger helper:
Making this one-pot meal is straightforward:
1. Brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium heat, seasoning with a little salt and pepper as it cooks. Break the meat up with a spoon and drain excess grease if needed.
2. In the same pan, add the diced onion, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and sazon (if using). Stir to combine and let the flavors meld for a minute or two.
3. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and pasta. Stir so the pasta is mostly submerged—it’s fine if not completely covered. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
4. While the pasta cooks, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
5. When the pasta is done, remove the lid, stir in the cornstarch slurry, then add the grated cheddar and stir for about a minute until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and give it a final stir. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve.
FAQs & tips for this recipe:
- Substitutions – If you only have beef broth, it works fine. Macaroni can replace cavatappi. Ground turkey is a good lean alternative to beef.
- Storing – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dish is best enjoyed fresh, but reheats well; add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen the sauce.
One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp sazon (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cavatappi (or macaroni)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
- Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Break the meat up while it cooks and drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onion, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, sazon, and smoked paprika to the pan. Stir to combine and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and add the pasta. Stir so the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 10 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl.
- Remove the lid, stir in the cornstarch slurry, then add the grated cheddar and stir until melted and the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and serve with optional parsley.
Video
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 21 g |
Protein: 34 g |
Fat: 48 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.