I know using a box mix is easy, but what if I tell you about a way you can make made from scratch food that is simple to make? Of course, it tastes great too! Homemade Hamburger Helper is only a handful ingredients and will be enjoyed by all at your dinner table.
This one dish recipe is so simple to make. It only uses one pan to make this recipe from start to finish. Not a pan for this and a pan for that. The Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe tastes better than the box counterpart. Your family will love it. You will love the easy clean up!
I have another hamburger helper recipe, the hamburger helper beef pasta recipe. That recipe is based in beef broth and doesn't have any tomato products in it. This has both tomato paste and beef broth. I liken it to the difference between taco soup and chili.
Jump to:
Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need a few basic ingredients.
- ground beef
- tomato paste
- beef broth - low sodium beef broth would work too
- noodles - any shape, macaroni or shells work well
- chili seasoning
- garlic powder
- salt/pepper
- cheddar cheese
- minced dried onion (optional)
We like to use the minced dried onion, as my family isn't big on eat onion pieces in food. However, if you want to add onion and use a fresh onion, a yellow onion can be used.
The tomato paste is important verses tomato sauce as the tomato paste will help thicken the mixture more than the sauce would.
Do I need to boil the noodles first?
No, you don't! The noodles can cook in the beef broth after the hamburger has been completely cooked through.
Cooking the noodles that way will help soak up the beef broth and put that delicious flavor into the noodles.
Cooking process
First, cook up the hamburger until no longer pink. Then, you will stir in the tomato paste. Add in the beef broth and bring to a boil.
After the mixture has been boiling, add the noodles. The noodles will need to cook in mixture to soften. You may have to add a little more beef broth to cover the noodles. The size of the pan can effect how much broth you use.
After about 7-10 minutes, the noodles should be softened. Be sure to stir the homemade hamburger helper every once in a while so the mixture doesn't stick.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in cheddar cheese. The cheese will get all melty and delicious!
Cheese options
There are a lot of cheese options for this recipe. I chose to use shredded cheddar cheese. Velveeta is a great option as well. If you want a little spice in your life, you can try a pepper jack cheese.
Types of pasta
For this one pan recipe, I used shells for my pasta choice. Elbow macaroni can be used as well as a rotini. Egg noodles would work, but keep a close watch on it as it won't take as long to cook.
Storage
To store any leftovers, use an airtight container and put any leftovers in the refrigerator up to 48 hours. To reheat, microwave for 45 seconds in a bowl then stir and continue until it is warm enough. Be sure the hamburger helper is covered with a paper towel so it doesn't spatter.
Pin for later!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Print PinEquipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth
- 10 oz pasta I used shells
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon dried onion optional
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef, with salt, pepper, chili powder and onion and garlic if desired in a large frying pan until no longer pink over medium/high heat. Drain the grease if necessary.
- Stir in the tomato paste and turn the heat down to medium.
- Add in the beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Once the broth is boiling, stir in the uncooked noodles. You may need to add a little more beef broth to ensure the noodles are mostly covered.
- Let cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until noodles have softened.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Serve.
Notes
- If you prefer a little spice, you can use a Pepper Jack cheese in place of the cheddar.
- Shells or macaroni noodles work best, but any shape you have on hand will work.
Sue Messinger says
Keeper! Simple & delicious. I added some chives & parsley from my garden.
Kim Strawn says
I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
Ginger says
Happy I made a double batch! My brew loved it!!!!! Will definitely make it again! Thank you!
Kim Strawn says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It is so quick and easy. We enjoy it so much at our house!
Nicole says
Delicious and so quick to put together! It’s a do again.
Kim says
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It is a great simple supper recipe for sure!
Patty says
I used Lipton onion soup mix, deleted the salt. Very good! The family gave it a thumbs up!
Jill says
What kind of dried onions do I use ?
Kim says
You can find dried onions at your store or you can use onion powder.
Antoinette Staley says
Yes! Excellent. I used less ground beef (1lb), more pasta 12 oz (penne) and 4oz of tomato sauce instead of the paste.
Turned out excellent!
Kim says
I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for letting me know!