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Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 109 reviews

This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a comforting, easy-to-make one-pan meal featuring ground beef, pasta, and a creamy tomato-cheese sauce infused with Italian seasoning and smoked paprika. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it delivers rich flavors with a homemade touch using simple pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Aromatics

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pasta and Dairy

  • 8 oz small pasta shells (or small elbow pasta)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large sauté pan with a lid, heat over medium-high and brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove beef from pan and set aside, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the drippings in the pan for flavor.
  2. Sauté Onion and Garlic: Lower heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pan and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds and cook until fragrant.
  3. Create the Sauce Base: Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to remove raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring continuously. Bring the mixture to a boil to thicken slightly.
  4. Add Tomato and Seasonings: Pour in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add the pasta and stir well to combine everything. Cover with the lid and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender. Add additional broth if the pasta hasn’t fully cooked and the liquid is low.
  5. Finish with Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese melts smoothly. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to heat through. Remove from heat, let sit a minute for the sauce to thicken, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Ground turkey can be used as a leaner alternative to beef.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt and smoked paprika for flavor depth.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, reduce the broth slightly or increase cooking time uncovered.
  • Use low-fat dairy alternatives to reduce fat content if desired.
  • This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Keywords: hamburger helper, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, creamy pasta, homemade hamburger helper, easy family meal

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/