Description
This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a comforting and easy one-pot meal featuring ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a rich, cheesy tomato-based sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it combines simple pantry staples to recreate a classic from scratch without any preservatives or artificial ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
Seasonings and Sauce
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Liquids and Pasta
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
Cheese
- 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Sauté Onions: Add the ground beef and chopped onions to a soup pot and cook over medium-high heat for about 7-10 minutes until the beef is browned, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder to incorporate the flavors evenly into the meat mixture.
- Add Broth and Begin Cooking Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and increase heat to high. As the liquid starts to boil, add the uncooked elbow macaroni.
- Simmer Until Pasta is Tender: Reduce heat to maintain a rapid simmer (medium heat) and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed, about 13-15 minutes.
- Grate Cheese: While the pasta cooks, grate the cheddar cheese to save prep time.
- Finish with Cheese and Seasoning: Remove the pot from heat, stir in the grated cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it rest for a few minutes to thicken before serving, or serve immediately.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- Adjust chili powder quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- If a thicker sauce is desired, allow the dish to rest off heat for a few minutes to thicken further.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- For a quicker version, use quick-cooking pasta shapes alternative to elbow macaroni, adjusting cook time accordingly.
