Hamburger Helper (also known as cheeseburger macaroni) is a classic combo of cheesy macaroni and hearty ground beef, with plenty of seasonings to go around. This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is so much better than the boxed version but just as easy to make. It’s sure to fill you up and satisfy even the pickiest of eaters!
What’s in Homemade Hamburger Helper?
Hamburger Helper is a great way to stretch a pound of ground beef into a larger meal. Here’s a rundown of the ingredients:
- Macaroni: Elbow macaroni is the classic choice for Hamburger Helper, but you could use any short-shaped pasta, such as shells, bowties, or penne.
- Olive Oil: Helps the onion and garlic cook without burning. You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or unsalted butter if you prefer.
- Onion and Garlic: Classic flavor pairings for ground beef that give this dish depth.
- Ground Beef: Ground beef is classic, but you can use ground chicken, turkey, lentils, or diced tofu. I like 85% lean ground beef, but you could go leaner if you like.
- Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds rich tomato flavor without whole tomato pieces for picky eaters.
- Dijon Mustard: This secret-weapon ingredient adds brightness to the dish to make it taste fresher.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds rich, umami flavor that enhances the meatiness of the dish. In a pinch, you can swap the Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce.
- Paprika: Regular or smoked paprika both work well in this recipe.
- Beef Broth: Broth helps to make this dish extra savory. You can use vegetable broth or hot water instead.
- Milk: Whole milk makes this dish creamy without as many calories as heavy cream. You can use cream cheese, plain yogurt, evaporated milk, plant-based milk, water, or more beef broth instead.
- Sour Cream: In place of the sour cream, you can use plain yogurt or vegan sour cream.
- Cheese: Use freshly-shredded cheddar cheese for the best consistency. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starch that can cause it to melt unevenly. Feel free to swap the cheddar cheese for Colby, Swiss, Monterey jack, or vegan cheddar.
Pro Tip: You can sneak in spinach at the end of cooking.
Spicy DIY Hamburger Helper
For a spicier Hamburger Helper, add a bit of chili powder or hot sauce. Top with more hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
Trademark Note: In the spirit of transparency, I want to note that this is a copycat recipe for an existing product. Hamburger Helper is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.
The pre-packaged Hamburger Helper is pretty high in sodium. Our homemade version allows you to better control the sodium levels and uses real, wholesome ingredients rather than just powdered seasonings.
Yes! The easiest swap for milk is another dairy product, such as cream cheese, yogurt, or evaporated milk. For a dairy-free version, you can use plant-based milk, water, or broth; swap the sour cream for a dairy-free or vegan sour cream; and swap the cheese for a dairy-free or vegan cheese!
Sure! This dish is great vegetarian or with lentils or diced tofu!
Hamburger Helper is designed to be a full meal all on its own. However, you can also serve it with a side of veggies, salad, or dinner rolls!
Absolutely! Follow the recipe through step 2, then place the sautéed veggies, beef, and all other ingredients except for the cheese in a crockpot. Cook over high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours, stirring in the cheese and cooked pasta at the very end.
How to Store and Reheat Beef Pasta Hamburger Helper
Store leftover Hamburger Helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan set over medium-low heat.
How to Freeze Hamburger Helper from Scratch
Freeze Hamburger Helper in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Copycat Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper is a wholesome, filling meal all on its own. It’s got plenty of protein, starch, and fat to sate even the hungriest growing teens. For a bit more greenery, stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end of cooking or serve this casserole with air fryer broccoli, roasted mushrooms, maple bacon Brussels sprouts, or Pennsylvania Dutch beans.
Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni (½ box)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1½ cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1½ cups milk room temperature
- ½ cup sour cream room temperature
- 3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Boil 6 cups of water in a large pot set over high heat, then add the pasta and cook for 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.8 ounces dry elbow macaroni
- In the meantime, heat the olive oil in a large pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and stir and cook until it becomes translucent. Stir in the garlic and stir just until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds.1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ white onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the ground beef then crumble and cook until it is no longer pink.1 pound ground beef
- Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes.2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pour in the beef broth, milk, and sour cream, and whisk until fully combined.1½ cup low-sodium beef broth, 1½ cups milk, ½ cup sour cream
- Bring it to a low simmer over medium heat, then stir in the cheddar cheese until fully melted.3 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
- Add in the cooked pasta and stir for 3-4 minutes, or until the pasta starts to emulsify and become creamy.
- Serve immediately with freshly minced parsley for garnish, if desired.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- You can swap the elbow macaroni for any other short pasta shape, such as shells, bowties, or penne.
- In place of the olive oil, you can use vegetable oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or unsalted butter.
- In place of the beef, you can use ground chicken, turkey, lentils, or diced tofu.
- In a pinch, you can swap the Worcestershire sauce for soy sauce.
- In place of the beef broth, you can use vegetable broth.
- In place of the milk, you can use cream cheese, plain yogurt, evaporated milk, plant-based milk, water, or more beef broth.
- In place of the sour cream, you can use plain yogurt or vegan sour cream.
- Feel free to swap the cheddar cheese for Colby, Swiss, Monterey jack, or vegan cheddar.
- For spicier Hamburger Helper, add a bit of chili powder or hot sauce.
- You can sneak in spinach at the end of cooking.
- For the thickest, creamiest Hamburger Helper, I recommend using whole milk and full-fat sour cream.
- Use freshly-shredded cheddar cheese for the best consistency. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starch that can cause it to melt unevenly.
- Feel free to taste and adjust the seasonings to your personal tastes.
Nutrition Information
