Description

This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal made with lean ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a rich, cheesy tomato sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines simple pantry ingredients to recreate the classic nostalgic dish with wholesome, fresh components and no preservatives.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced

Dry Ingredients

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
8 oz small pasta shells or small elbow pasta

Liquids and Dairy

2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
½ cup heavy cream or half and half
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Seasoning

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Meat and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef or turkey. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Then add the diced onion and minced garlic; sauté together for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Add Flour and Seasonings: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the meat and onions, stirring to coat everything. This will help thicken the sauce later. Then stir in Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to evenly distribute the spices.
Add Liquids and Pasta: Slowly pour in the low-sodium beef broth and canned tomato sauce while stirring to deglaze the pan and combine all ingredients smoothly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Simmer Pasta: Add the 8 oz of small pasta shells (or elbow macaroni) to the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is fully cooked and tender, and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Finish with Cream and Cheese: Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream or half and half to add richness to the sauce. Then fold in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serve Warm: Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy, remove from heat and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey and use half and half instead of heavy cream.
You can add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms when sautéing the onions for extra nutrition.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more broth or water to reach desired consistency.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, ground beef pasta, cheesy beef pasta, quick weeknight meal, comfort food