homemade hamburger helper
Enjoy the comforting flavors of Homemade Hamburger Helper, a one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, this delicious dish is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family!
Ingredients
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion chopped
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown the Beef:
- Add the ground beef and chopped onion to a soup pot.
- Cook over medium-high heat until the beef has browned, about 7-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.
Add Spices and Tomato Paste:
- Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder, mixing well.
Add Beef Broth and Macaroni:
- Pour in the beef broth and increase the heat to high.
- Once the broth starts to boil, add the uncooked elbow macaroni.
- Reduce the heat to a rapid simmer (medium heat is ideal) and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 13-15 minutes).
Grate the Cheese:
- While the pasta is cooking, grate the cheddar cheese to save time.
Stir in Cheese and Seasoning:
- Once the pasta is cooked and the liquid has reduced, take the pot off the heat.
- Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until it’s melted and smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to absorb the flavors, but you can serve it immediately if preferred.
Serve:
- Serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- Servings: This recipe serves 4-6 depending on portion sizes.
- Adjusting Liquid: If you’re running out of liquid before the pasta is fully cooked, add more beef broth (½ cup at a time) to prevent it from sticking or burning.