Homemade Hamburger Helper
Tasty pasta and beef in a cheesy sauce.
Servings 5
Calories 544kcal
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound (453g) ground beef
- 2 tablespoons minced onion
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 3 cups (750 ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (150g) uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups (225g) freshly grated cheddar cheese
- chopped parsley for garnsih
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add beef and use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. As it browns, stir in the onion and garlic. Cook until beef has browned—about 7 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, chili powder and beef broth to the meat mixture. Bring the liquid to a simmer, then add the pasta.
- Cook the pasta uncovered for about 13 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta should be cooked and the liquid mostly evaporated.
- Remove the pasta from the heat and stir in the cheese. Stir until melted. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Use ground beef with a slightly higher fat content, such as 80/20 or 85/15 to keep the dish moist and flavorful. Alternately, use lean beef for less fat but increase the beef broth as needed.
- When browning the ground beef, break it up into small crumbles for even cooking.
- Sauté the meat and onions until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish.
- After browning the ground beef, drain off any excess fat to prevent the dish from becoming greasy.
- Enhance the flavor profile by adding spices and seasonings. Common additions include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, or Italian seasoning. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste preferences.
- Allow the mixture to simmer slowly. This allows the flavors to meld together, and the pasta to cook and absorb the delicious sauce.
- For added nutrition and flavor, feel free to incorporate vegetables into your hamburger helper. Options like diced bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or peas work well. Add them during the simmering stage to ensure they cook through.
- Adjust the amount of cheese or liquid to achieve your desired level of creaminess. If you prefer a thicker sauce, use less broth or add more cheese. If you want a saucier consistency, increase the amount of broth.
- Garnish your homemade hamburger helper with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and added freshness.
- Storage - keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 948mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 610IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 355mg | Iron: 3mg