• EN
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search

Serving Dumplings

Weeknight Dinner Ideas for Everyone

  • Home
  • Cooking Club
    • Join The Club
    • Cooking Club Recipes
    • My Account
  • About
    • Stuff I Use
    • About me
    • workshops
  • Recipes
    • Cooking Club Recipes
    • 30 minutes
    • Pasta | Rice | Barley
    • One Pot
    • Meat | Poultry
    • Fish | Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soup
    • Side Dishes
    • Bakery | Pastry | Sweets
    • Kid Friendly
    • Drinks
  • Cooking Videos
  • Converter
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • EN
Kids, Meat, One Pot, Pasta | Rice | Barley, Quick meals  /  4.10.2022

One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

by Anna Chwistek
Anna Chwistek

One pot homemade hamburger helper. This version of cheeseburger macaroni is super cheesy and tastes addictively delicious! Ground beef, a little bit of cream and lots of grated cheddar are the key ingredients to make this incredibly comforting meal. It’s so cozy you’d want to cuddle with it.

one pot homemade hamburger helper

For this pasta recipe, the starchy pasta water and cream provide a perfect base. Ground beef gives this dish a familiar burger flavor, while freshly grated cheddar cheese leaves no doubt that it’s a super comforting luscious dish. It’s sure to become a family favorite.

The best part? You don’t need to dirty other pots and pans to brown the meat or boil the pasta, we toss everything in one pot and besides, an occasional stir, this recipe is super easy to make and it doesn’t hurt that it’s wallet- friendly.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.

I doubt that washing dishes is anyone’s most favorite activity, so this delicious pasta recipe solves all of your dish-washing pastime.
The thing about most one-pot recipes is that although everything is technically cooking in a single pot, we still need to use multiple bowls or remove things from the skillet, to add it back in. This recipe isn’t that kind of recipe. It’s a legit one-pot recipe from start to finish. You’ll only need your cutting board for the onion and garlic, and a grater for your cheese. 

one pot homemade hamburger helper

Gather the Ingredients and Let’s Start Cooking

  • Ground beef: We use lean ground beef, which helps to keep the pasta from being greasy. You can also use ground chicken.
  • Onion and garlic: Almost any dish will taste better when you add these. If you’re short on time, use a tablespoon of onion powder and a teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Oil and butter: We use both, for more flavor. 
  • Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried oregano and smoked paprika.
  • Tomato paste: You can also use ketchup for that familiar burger tang.
  • Beef broth: Vegetable broth or chicken broth would both work great here.
  • Half-and-half: You can also use whole milk or heavy cream. Non-dairy milk will also work.
  • Pasta: I used Cavatappi pasta, but this recipe will works well with any short pasta.
  • Cheddar: To make this a cheesy, comforting meal, you’ll need plenty of shredded cheese. Best when freshly grated.

one pot homemade hamburger helper

This is How We Make It

The idea is to start with onion and garlic first, then we add in the ground beef, breaking it up as we go and brown it all over. Next we’ll add in tomato paste and seasonings. Then add in the pasta and broth, and simmer it for about 6-8 minutes. The addition of broth rounds out the meat flavor and gives the beef something to cook down in without drying out. Aa the pasta cooks, the broth reduces while it becomes starchy and creamy.

We let it simmer, then finish off with a generous splash of half-and-half and plenty of cheddar cheese to elevate the creaminess factor. And there it is, a tasty meal that’s sure to appeal to everyone… with just one single pot.

one pot homemade hamburger helper

RECIPE NOTES

  • Use your favorite pasta like elbow pasta, penne, farfalle, cavatappi, shells, pipe rigate and fusilli are all good hamburger helper style shapes.
  • Want to sneak in some veggies? Why not! Add grated carrots, grated zucchini, spinach, bell pepper or roasted pepper.
  • Instead of cheddar, try mozzarella or any other melting cheese that you like. 
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
  • Serve with a crisp romaine salad or steamed broccoli to complement the richness of the hamburger pasta. 
  • Storage: Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of milk or water until warmed through. 
  • Freeze for up to three months in airtight containers. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

one pot homemade hamburger helper

Try These Next

  • Cheesy One Pot Beef and Potatoes
  • One Pot Tomato Beef Orzo
  • Beef and Bell Pepper Spaghetti
  • Creamy Beef Bolognese with Roasted Peppers

COOKING VIDEO

One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

 

Yield: serves 4

One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

one pot homemade hamburger helper
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 pound/450 g lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp each: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 9 ounces/250 g dry pasta
  • 3 cups/720 ml beef broth
  • 1 cup/240 ml milk
  • 6 ounces/180 g cheddar cheese
  • fresh parsley for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot over medium. Add oil, butter, onion and garlic. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef, break up into pieces and cook until brown, about 6 minutes.
  2. Add salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, oregano and cayenne pepper. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add pasta and pour in broth. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered, for about 6-8 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally.
  4. Meanwhile, grate the cheddar cheese and chop the parsley if using.
  5. Pour in half-and-half and add cheddar. Stir until the cheese is melted and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt. Finish off with parsley. Serve!

Notes

Calories Per Serving: 696 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know! Leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and don’t forget to tag me with @anna_s_table or #servingdumplings I’d love to see what you’re making. Happy cooking!

© Anna Chwistek
Category: One Pot

And …IF YOU LOVE THESE RECIPES … please consider supporting my work for just the cost of a cup of coffee.

Buy Me A Coffee

Sign up for my NEWSLETTER to receive the latest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

Tags

  • beef
  • cheese
  • minced meat
  • pasta
  • quick meals

Post navigation

Prev: Tomato Poached Cod with Pesto
Next: Salmon in Creamy Red Pesto Sauce

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anna | Studio Kuchnia

Anna | Studio Kuchnia
eat. real food.
packed with flavor.
sometimes chocolate too.

Anna.

Follow me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

If you love these recipes …

… please consider supporting my work for just the cost of a cup of coffee.

Buy me a coffee

Saveur Blog Awards Winner - Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners

Search

Popular

  • spicy coconut curry ramen Spicy Coconut Curry Ramen
  • creamy tuscan chicken orzo Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
  • Balsamic Wild Mushroom Pasta
  • one pot salmon alfredo orzo One Pot Salmon Alfredo Orzo
  • Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Join Our Community

Signup to my free weekly newsletter and receive the latest recipes straight into your mailbox!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

  • Home
  • About
  • Converter
  • Contact
  • Legal notice
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Saveur Blog Awards Winner - Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners
  • Copyright © 2013 - 2023 Serving Dumplings
  • Website by Crafted
Skip to Recipe