My Homemade Hamburger Helper
Transform dinner into a comforting, family-approved weeknight meal with "My Homemade Hamburger Helper," a delicious, from-scratch twist on the nostalgic boxed classic. This one-skillet recipe features tender ground beef, sautéed onions, and garlic, perfectly seasoned with a blend of paprika, chili powder, and Italian herbs for a burst of flavor in every bite. Combined with elbow macaroni cooked directly in a rich mixture of beef broth, milk, and tomato paste, and finished with melty shredded cheddar cheese, this dish delivers creamy, cheesy perfection without any processed ingredients. Ready in just 30 minutes and made in a single pan, it’s a quick, easy, and fuss-free dinner idea with effortless cleanup. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finishing touch and serve this crowd-pleaser warm for a meal your family will ask for again and again. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy homemade dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
Stir in the paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper to coat the beef evenly with the spices.
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, beef broth, milk, and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and creates a creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2948 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 163.7 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 84.4 g | 422% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 585 mg | 195% | |
| Sodium | 6967 mg | 303% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 195.0 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.3 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 28.6 g | ||
| Protein | 181.3 g | 363% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 2072 mg | 159% | |
| Iron | 19.0 mg | 106% | |
| Potassium | 2521 mg | 54% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
