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Homemade Hamburger Helper
Michonne Zendaya

Ultimate One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

This one-pot Homemade Hamburger Helper is creamy, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes! With tender pasta, flavorful ground beef, and a rich tomato cheese sauce, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 738
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp seasoned salt
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 8 oz small pasta shells or elbow pasta
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Equipment

  • large sauté pan with lid
  • wooden spoon
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • spatula
  • stovetop

Method
 

  1. In a large sauté pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Remove from the pan, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.
  2. Lower heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the beef broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta. Stir to combine. Cover with a lid and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Add extra broth if needed.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Return the cooked beef to the pan and heat for 2–3 minutes more.
  6. Remove from heat and let rest for a minute to thicken. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Storage: Best served fresh, as pasta absorbs liquid over time. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
Make Double: Easily doubled in a large Dutch oven for a crowd.
Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free pasta and use cornstarch instead of flour. Adjust cooking liquid and time accordingly.