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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.
This is definitely a family favorite! Can this be frozen for a make-ahead meal? I’m prepping for baby #3 and was wondering if your’re reheating instructions would work from frozen as well as refrigerated?
Hi Jessica! congrats on the baby!!! I honestly have never tried freezing this recipe– but don’t think it will freeze very well (since it has milk in it).
Our family loves this recipe! It is so nostalgic and reminds me of eating Hamburger Helper growing up but I feel much better about serving this cleaned up version to my family! We make it with oat milk and it turns out beautifully every time! Thank you so much Alex!
Hi Alex, I made this with regular whole wheat penne pasta and I had trouble getting the pasta to cook down and when it did it kind of turned into mush. Should I only be using gluten-free pasta for this recipe? Is that where I went wrong? Flavor is amazing!!!
It typically works with classic pasta, too! So I am not sure why that it did that for you!
This looks so good! Do you have a recommendation for the fat content of the beef used (80/20 or 90/10) and do you drain the beef after browning, before putting the other ingredients in?
I usually grab 80/20– but any works! I honestly don’t drain unless it’s excessive fat! I will make a note sorry I forgot to include in the recipe.
Hello, do you know the serving size?
This serves 4 people.
Hi Alex! Love this recipe, it’s part of our dinner rotation! If we want to make double is it safe to double the recipe? Worried it would be too much liquid?
It does work to double!
I love this recipe and am looking for freezer meals to make before baby #2 arrives- have you tried freezing this?
Thank you!
I have the same question about this one and her one pot stroganoff! Did you end up freezing it?
Mm this was so good, and brought back childhood memories. 🙂
I made a vegetarian version by using Impossible ground “beef” and vegan beef broth. Turned out great!
Any tips for using ground chicken instead? Thanks!
I love the pan you used to cook this in. Could you share the brand? I’ve been looking for a ceramic pan to cook these type of one pot meals in! Thank you!!
This one is a Le Creuset.
Can you use almond milk instead of regular milk?
You can! It alters the flavor a bit, but it definitely works!
So good – was a hit with both husband and toddler. Thank you! Due to multiple allergies I used oatly for the milk, ground turkey, chicken broth, and violife epic mature cheddar for the cheese and still delicious!