Description
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe combines tender pasta and savory ground beef in a rich, creamy tomato and cheese sauce. With its cheesy goodness and familiar flavors, it’s bound to become a family favorite. You can customize it by swapping in ground turkey or your choice of pasta shapes, making it as versatile as it is delicious. Pair this dish with fresh vegetables or garlic bread for a complete meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz small pasta shells (or small elbow pasta)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Remove and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.
- Sauté the diced onion until soft, then add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds.
- Stir in flour and cook for about a minute, then gradually add beef broth until boiling.
- Mix in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta. Cover and simmer until pasta is tender.
- Stir in cream and cheese until melted and creamy. Return the meat to the pan to heat through before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg