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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.
My husband LOVED this dish. He has requested it be in rotation now. It tasted better than the box kind and of course this was a childhood favorite/staple in our home! Thank you for re-creating!
Okay Alex, I made this as a nostalgic Christmas meal with a side of veggies and it was absolutely perfect. Hit the spot (nostalgia, comfort and delicious), topped with crystal hot sauce of course:). Thank you for this gem!
Amazing, so easy!!! Made this for myself and very excited to have leftovers for a couple of days.
What and HOW is this so good. It’s so spot on to the good ol box. Incredible. Alex never disappoints!
So good! My kids loved it and kept coming back for more. Thank you so much!
I’ve been making this in my family’s rotation for about a year now and it is always a hit! I always use 4 cups of broth instead of the milk and have used all kinds of pastas with success. It’s simple but delicious and love that it’s one pot!
I made this last night for dinner. It was super yummy and it made so much I think the Hubs & I will be eating it all week! Can’t wait for your new book.
*Fun Fact – we used to live in Celina, I remember your wedding fireworks very well! We lived close to the P.O., so we heard them! 😉
aw so fun! and thank you! so glad you enjoyed the dish! 🙂 xoxo
I used egg noodles, cows milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and a tablespoon of sour cream. Excellent, will make again.
I love love love this recipe. It’s easy to make, tastes awesome, is easy to fit in with my macros, and even passes the picky husband test.
Let me preface this review and say.. Alex, have you tried this recipe with the Banza chickpea noodles? I know you typically use Jovial gluten free, so I am going to assume this recipe was awful [for me] because of the chickpea noodles.
Anyways, was super excited to make this! Followed the recipe EXACTLY, BUT, I used chickpea noodles as deemed “acceptable.” It was AWFUL! My son gagged on it, my husband said it looked like dog vomit, and the 3 other adults could barely stomach it. Worst of all– I was so excited to make this that I doubled the recipe! What a waste of good ingredients. I threw the entire potful of food away. I really think the chickpea noodles gave it a weird texture and messed with the sauce. I love Alex’s recipes but this one was really awful (again.. probably the chickpea pasta’s fault, but I’m not going to try it with regular pasta for fear of wasting more groceries again).
Hi Jenny,
So sorry that it was a MISS for you and your family! This is one of my families favorites! I do agree that chickpea pasta isn’t tasty, personally. My kids also don’t love it; however, I know so many folks love it and use it in this recipe–which is why I deemed acceptable. But it’ll be good for others to see your review as a very strong WARNING not to use chickpea pasta here.
Wow I can’t disagree more to your rating! I used an 8oz box of Banza Shells and it came out great! My husband and I loved it!
This is a family favorite with kids and adults! DF/GF: we add chopped kale, use gluten free noodles, used almond milk or Ripple, and finish with Violife cheddar — its still creamy and delish.
This was delicious! Even the picky eaters loved it! My husband grew up eating hamburger helper and always wanted me to replicate and I could never get it right. This hit the nail on the head and much healthier! This is now my go to!!