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Cue all of the nostalgic feelings because Hamburger Helper is making a comeback — and this One-Pot Hamburger Helper is just as good as the boxed version and a little bit better for you.
Raise your hands if you grew up on Hamburger Helper! My mom made it all the time when I was a kid and I think we can all agree that stuff is freaking delicious. This homemade version has all the same flavors of that nostalgic dish, but is made with nourishing ingredients that will make you feel good. It’s also such a great option for when you just don’t have time to think or cook dinner!
Plus, it doesn’t take any longer to make than the boxed version! For families that have picky eaters, this dish may just be the answer to your prayers.
ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Ground Beef
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Tomato Paste
- Dried Elbow Pasta
- Beef Broth
- Milk
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Fresh Parsley
step-by-step:
step one: cook the beef
Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or pot set over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook, breaking up the ground beef with the back of a spoon, until the beef is cooked through, no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of excess fat, if needed.
step two: add the tomato paste
Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
step three: cook the pasta
Add the pasta, beef broth, and milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is tender, stirring very often, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the pasta is al dente, 12 to 15 minutes.
step four: fold in the cheesy and herbs
Remove from heat and fold in the cheese. Garnish with parsley, if using. Serve and enjoy!
recipe faqs:
You can substitute the two cups of milk with almond milk or use four cups of beef broth instead. You can also omit the cheddar cheese altogether.
Heat the mixture in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add about 1/4 cup of beef broth to rehydrate the noodles, depending on how much you’re reheating, until the noodles are tender and you reach your desired consistency.
So here we have it—a one-pot, easy, and delicious One-Pot Hamburger Helper that your kids will love!
looking for more one-pot recipes? try these!
One-Pot Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
One-Pot Spaghetti-O’s with Mini Meatballs
One-Pot Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 12 ounced dried elbow pasta, such as Jovial Brown Rice Pasta
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or pot set over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook, breaking up the ground beef with the back of a spoon, until the beef is cooked through, no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of excess fat, if needed.
- Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Add the pasta, beef broth and milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is tender, stirring very often, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the pasta is al dente, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and fold in the cheese. Garnish with parsley, if using. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Eat Love Eats.
Ok, so we LOVED this when I made it (for the first time) tonight! The only question I have is…why did it feel like something had very lightly curdled? Should I have drained the meat? Not put the lid on when it was boiling?
So I never put the lid on, I cook this uncovered. Also– just make sure your mixture isn’t at a hard boil- it just needs to simmer while you cook, stirring often.
This might be an odd question but do you think it would taste good if we subbed out ground beef for ground turkey? Or is that too much of a stretch?
It would still be good! Beef definitely gives it some more hearty flavors– but turkey would work just fine.
Is that an extra 4 cups of beef broth on top of the already added 2 cups? Or is that 4 cups altogether?
4 cups altogether.
This hits the nostalgia spot, pasta spot, cheesy spot, delicious spot! SPOT ON, Alex!
This was delicious and quick and easy to put together – perfect for weeknight meal. I added mushrooms and spinach and turned out great!
Hi Alex,
I feel like a chump even having to ask, but do you have any idea where I might have gone wrong if my dish never cooked down? It was pretty liquid-y after it was all said and done. Still tasted good but nothing like the photos above or in the book. Thanks in advance! I’m going to keep trying. 🙂
What kind of pasta did you use? I think that would be the only reason for error here
Mine was also very liquidy. Taste was good and I’ll make again but use a cup less liquid.
Finally commenting on this gem. I have made it so many times I have lost count. Easy, fast, made with ingredients I have on hand and delish!! I use coconut milk and it is perfection. Kid and adult friendly. Thanks for another go-to DD recipe! XOXO
Will it be as creamy if you replace milk with broth?
Or would coconut milk work ?
coconut milk works (it might just shift the flavor a bit) but also broth alone works too as the starch from the pasta give it some creaminess.
Made this tonight and it was SO good! Made me feel like a kid again. Thanks so much for such consistently amazing recipes!
If I’m using regular pasta, is the cooking time and amount of liquid the same?
yes it is
Have made this twice a week for 2 years! This a such a hit
What would the carb count be on this?
Made this for my parents tonight as my mom is home newly home recovering from spinal surgery. I took the risk and made this for them — growing up my mom hated hamburger helper. It was a huge hit with both parents and my dad who loves the original stuff is so excited to have it back on the menu. You’ve converted my mother and won my Dad’s stamp of approval.
So easy to make! Thank you
Glad you enjoyed and hope your dad has a speedy recovery!!
How would I get this creamier?
I used 4cups of milk(trying to get rid of it before it spoiled) and omitted the broth…it turned out super creamy!