Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper is just one of those easy recipes with ground beef that I come back to again and again! This quick and easy one dish meal takes 30 minutes from start to finish. With ground beef, pasta, cheese, and onions, cooked in a tasty, creamy sauce, why would I ever buy boxed hamburger helper again?

This super easy recipe with ground beef is a hearty and healthy version of boxed hamburger helper. With my 6 children and being a homeschooling family, sometimes the day just slips away. Then, I look at the clock and think ” Uh Oh, it’s almost supper time and I have nothing ready!” This is when Cheesy Homemade Hamburger helper recipe comes to the rescue!! I truly love this and other easy recipes with ground beef, and know I don’t have to defend why!

Falling In Love With HH ♥

The first time I tasted Hamburger Helper was when I was already an adult. 😌 My mom made almost everything from scratch and then became obsessed with healthy eating. Therefore, I did not experience this tasty pasta dish with ground beef until I was in my 20s. I truly loved it! This hamburger helper recipe is even better than the boxed version. It is also healthier, so my mom would love it too, and this homemade recipe doesn’t take any longer to make!

When I’m in a hurry and want a delicious meal that everyone loves I quickly throw the ingredients for cheesy homemade hamburger helper into a large saucepan. Yes, this easy recipe with ground beef is made in 1 pan!!

While the pasta is simmering at the end, I assemble a fresh salad. Homemade hamburger helper with veggies or a salad is a completely balanced and nutritious meal.

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If you have never made hamburger helper before, you will love that this ground beef recipe can be made using only one pan! There is a minimum of preparation and not very many dishes to wash after. It truly takes about 30 minutes plus however long you let it rest.

History of Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper was first invented in 1970. It was developed to help families stretch their food budget. At the time there was a beef shortage so the price of meat was very high. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Hamburger Helper has been a flavorful and popular pantry item ever since that time. To read a truly fascinating article on the history of Hamburger Helper, read: The Untold Truth of Hamburger Helper

This is still a very economical ground beef recipe, as 2 lb of ground beef used in this homemade hamburger helper can make a very filling meal for a family of 8. With a large family, we love quick and easy, yummy and affordable recipes!

Variations For Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

• Can substitiute the ground beef with other ground meat, such as chicken, turkey, pork, or wild game!
• Can use garlic in addition to the onion or instead of the onion
• Could be made with other kinds of pasta, like macaroni, rotini, or medium shells.
• Could use any kind of cheese as long as it is meltable.

Ingredients in Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

• Lean or extra lean ground beef. The leaner the beef, the better so that you don’t have to drain the fat. Or use any type of ground meat you prefer.
• Onion, chopped small.
• Milk
• Water
• Pasta, macaroni, rotini, shells, bowties, any will do.
• Sugar, seasoning salt, black pepper, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika. I know this list of spices sounds extensive, but they are common, easy to find spices that most people have in their pantries.
• Cheddar cheese, grated. I do prefer old or sharp cheddar cheese for the flavor, but any kind of meltable cheese is fine. Using freshly grated is best for melting.

How to Make Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

1.Fry the beef and onions in a large skillet until there is no pink remaining in the meat. Drain the fat if needed.

2.Add the water, milk, and pasta.

3.Add the remaining ingredients, except the cheese.

4.Stir, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until pasta is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir every once in a while.

5.Remove from heat and add the cheese. Stir in, then, cover and let sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

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Sides to eat with Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper:

• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Veggies and Dip
• Caesar Salad
• Asian Noodle Salad
• Coleslaw

Other Easy Ground Beef Recipes!

Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper made at home from scratch is just one of those easy recipes with ground beef that I come back to again and again! This quick and easy one dish meal takes 30 minutes from start to finish. With ground beef, pasta, cheese, and onions, cooked in a tasty, creamy sauce, why would I ever buy boxed hamburger helper again?

Author:RebekahCooking Method:Stove-topCuisine:AmericanCourses:Lunch, Main CourseRecipe Keys:BeefCheesyHomemadePasta

Print Recipe

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Prep Time10 minsCook Time20 minsRest Time15 minsTotal Time45 minsDifficulty:BeginnerServings:5Calories:407Best Season:Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
• ¹⁄₂ Onion
• 2 cup Milk
• 1 cup Water
• 2 cup Pasta (uncooked)
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Seasoning Salt
• ¹⁄₄ tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Parsley
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 2 cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)

Instructions

Video

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1. Fry the beef with onions in a large skillet until there is no pink remaining in the meat. Drain the fat if needed

   

2. Add the milk, water and pasta.

   

3. Add the reamaining ingredients except the cheese.

   

4. Stir, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes. Stir once in a while.

   

5. Remove from the heat and stir in cheese. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. It will be a runny sauce but if you let it sit for a few minutes, it will thicken.

   Enjoy!

   

Nutrition Facts

Servings 5

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 407kcal

Calories from Fat 160kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 17.78g28%

Saturated Fat 8.4g43%

Cholesterol 107mg36%

Sodium 1071mg45%

Potassium 578mg17%

Total Carbohydrate 26g9%

Dietary Fiber 3g12%

Sugars 9g

Protein 35g70%

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Vitamin A 36 IU

Calcium 38 mg

Iron 18 mg

Thiamin 12 mg

Riboflavin 50 mg

Niacin 38 mg

Vitamin B6 36 mg

Vitamin B12 135 mcg

Pantothenic Acid 28 mg

Phosphorus 104 mg

Magnesium 20 mmol

Zinc 95 mcg

Selenium 58 mg

Copper 18 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• If your homemade hamburger helper is runny after cooking, let it sit a few more minutes with the lid on.
• To store, refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
• To freeze, place completely cooled Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper in a sealed freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, let the hamburger helper thaw completely, then warm up in the oven for 30 minutes at 350°F.
• If you do plan on freezing the homemade hamburger helper, cook the pasta to only al dente.