Hamburger Helper
on Sep 20, 2024, Updated Sep 27, 2024
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As any immigrant can tell you, our families prioritize home cooking over everything else. This is why I made my own version of Hamburger Helper which bridges the gap between homemade and classic American. Although this recipe contains no processed ingredients, it still comes together in just ⏲️ 30 minutes and has all those classic flavors that we all grew up with. It’s comforting and hearty, so I know your family will love it. This dish feels like one giant hug in a bowl!
Why You’ll Love Hamburger Helper
My Hamburger Helper recipe has all the comforting textures and flavors of pasta, ground beef, and 🧀 cheese but with a little upgrade. Let’s face it: my ancestors would haunt me if I didn’t throw in some earthy paprika, sweet 🍅 tomato paste, and flavorful beef broth to make it taste like it’s been slow-cooking for hours. This dish is perfect for a weeknight meal and freezes beautifully, so you can make a big batch and have some for another night. This is cold-weather cooking at its best: hearty, warm, and satisfying for the whole family.
How to Prepare
🔥 To a big pot on medium-high heat, add the oil and let it get hot.
🥩 Once it shimmers, add in the ground meat, breaking it apart and cooking until the water evaporates. Once the water evaporates, the meat will start to brown.
🧅 Once browned, add in the onions and stir.
🧄 Next, add in the minced garlic and stir.
🍅 Now, add the seasonings tomato paste, and stir again.
💧 Add in the water, broth, and any small pasta shape of choice.
🌡️ Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick.
🧀 Once the pasta is cooked, add in grated cheddar of choice and enjoy!
Nonna’s Tip 🍝
Once you add the pasta, make sure to continuously stir to prevent anything from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Variations and Substitutions for Hamburger Helper
- My favorite pasta to use in this Hamburger Helper is small shells or elbow macaroni, but you can certainly use any pasta shape you like or have in the pantry.
- You can use 🥕 vegetable broth, beef broth, or chicken broth instead of bone broth in this recipe. I suggest using a good quality, unsalted (or low in sodium) broth with minimal ingredients.
- Instead of 🧀 Cheddar cheese, you can also use Parmesan, mozzarella, or Manchego. Anything melty would work!
- Make this recipe dairy-free by using your favorite non-dairy melting cheese.
- You can use ground 🍗 turkey, beef, pork, veal, or chicken and they’ll all be delicious.
Similar Recipes
Best Served With
- Serve this Hamburger Helper recipe with some buttery garlic bread.
- Serve this hearty dish alongside a fresh 🥗 Simple Green Salad or my Lemon Parmesan Salad.
- Serve this with any simple veggie: steamed 🥦 broccoli or beans, roasted carrots, or sauteed mushrooms.
Common Questions
My favorite is small shells or elbow, but you can absolutely use any pasta shape you like or have in the pantry.
You can certainly use vegetable broth, beef broth, or chicken broth instead of bone broth in this recipe. I suggest using a good quality, unsalted (or low in sodium) broth with minimal ingredients.
Cheddar cheese is classic but Parmesan, mozzarella, or Manchego would be delicious, too. Any melty cheese of choice or a combination you love.
This Hamburger Helper recipe is so versatile. You can use ground turkey, beef, pork, veal, or chicken and they’ll all be delicious.
Make this Hamburger Helper recipe gluten-free by using any gluten-free pasta of choice instead.
Yes! You can absolutely use your favorite non-dairy cheese instead of cheddar. Just make sure it melts nicely.
I haven’t personally tried it, but I think this Hamburger Helper would definitely work using a plant-based ground or even crumbled tofu.
Yes, you definitely can freeze a portion of this for another quick meal!
Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
Instructions
- To a big pot on medium-high heat, add the oil and let it get hot. Once it shimmers, add in the ground beef. You can also use ground turkey or chicken to lighten this recipe up.
- Break the meat apart, and cook until the water evaporates. Once the water evaporates, the meat will start to brown.
- Once browned, add in the onions and stir. Add in the minced garlic and stir. Now, add the seasonings tomato paste, and stir again.
- Add in the water, broth, and any small pasta shape of choice. My favourite pasta is small shells or elbow pasta but you can use any of choice.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick. Once the pasta is cooked, add in grated cheddar of choice and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tasted good. Needed more tomato paste than called for. Also, it’s hard to get the noodles just right when cooking in a sauce. They came out a tad gummy. Husband requested I make this meal again 🙌
So glad you enjoyed it and made the recipe work for you, Melissa! Sounds like hubs has good taste 😉
Very yummy ! My whole family enjoyed it
Hi Stephanie! Aww the full family approval is the best compliment! 💕