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Homemade hamburger helper is a family favorite but you can make a cheaper, healthier, and way tastier version at home. This flavorful pasta dinner features tender elbow macaroni, juicy lean ground beef, and plenty of cheddar cheese to create a delicious cheesy sauce. It's a quick and easy dinner ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you are feeling lazy. Try this cheeseburger macaroni pasta tonight!

Homemade hamburger helper is a family favorite but you can make a cheaper, healthier, and way tastier version at home, ready in just 30 minutes. | aheadofthyme.com

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper

It's quick and easy. Why buy store-bought when you can make it fast at home with real ingredients? This easy cheeseburger macaroni pasta dinner is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it's kid-friendly so you likely won't be left with any leftovers.
It’s healthier than store-bought. Homemade hamburger helper is healthier than it's store-bought alternative. We all know that processed and packaged food isn’t as good for us as fresh, whole foods. Since this homemade hamburger helper is made with lean ground beef, macaroni, and real cheese, you can feel good about what you’re eating and feeding your family.
It’s delicious and flavorful. Don’t get me wrong. Hamburger helper from the grocery store is good, but this homemade version is so delicious. You’ll love the creamy cheesy sauce, tender macaroni, and lean ground beef. It's why we make this homemade hamburger helper recipe on repeat ever week. It tastes so good!
A one pot meal. One pot meals are our favorite to make on busy weeknights because it means less mess in the kitchen, less dishes to clean, and easy to throw together. One pot dinners typically contain something starchy, a proten, and veggies all combined together in a delicious cozy meal.

Ingredients and Substitutions

To make this easy homemade hamburger helper from scratch, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):

vegetable oil
ground beef - traditional hamburger helpers are made with ground beef, but you could easily substitute with any ground meat that you want. Try it with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork — of course the flavor will change based on the meat you are using.
onion - I recommend fresh onion for the best flavor. If you don't have any on hand, you could substitute the small onion with 1-2 teaspoons of onion powder or 1-2 tablespoons of dried onion flakes.
garlic - we prefer the potent flavor of freshly minced garlic, but you can easily substitute it with ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder if that's what you have on hand.
tomato paste
seasoning - seasoned with paprika, salt, and pepper.
milk - you can substitute the milk with 1:1 cream for a richer and creamier dish. You can also substitute with sour cream which will also add creaminess and add a tangy flavor. You can substitute it 1:1 or think out the sour cream with a little water.
beef broth - I recommend homemade beef broth or low-sodium broth for added flavor while controlling the salt content. You could also substitute with vegetable broth or just use water.
elbow macaroni pasta - although traditionally made with elbow macaroni, you can substitute with any other small pasta noodles that you like such as penne, rotini, or bowtie pasta.
cheddar cheese - for a cheesier sauce, feel free to add an extra cup of cheese. You can also play around with different types of cheese. Try a Tex Mex cheese blend for a Mexican twist.
fresh parsley - optional for serving and adds a little fiber.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons and a large skillet or shallow saucepan.

How to Make the Best Homemade Hamburger Helper

Cook ground beef. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Break up beef into small pieces to help even browning.
Sauté aromatics. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and mix until well incorporated and season with salt, pepper and paprika.
Cook macaroni. Add milk, beef broth, and uncooked macaroni. Stir well and bring to a boil. Cover the lid and simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Add cheese. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted and well combined. Sprinkle parsley on top and serve immediately.

How to Serve

Homemade hamburger helper is a delicious and filling meal packed with carbs and proteins — but it's pairs really nice with some veggies in there too. I like to add some on the side or right on top, such as:

Storing Instructions

How to store: Keep leftover cheeseburger macaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
How to reheat: Reheat leftover hamburger helper over the stove on medium-low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened up too much in the fridge. You can also reheat in a covered microwave-safe dish on medium heat until warmed through, about 1-3 minutes.
How to freeze: This homemade hamburger helper recipe freezes well too. Once cooled to room temperature, store any leftovers in a freezer-safe airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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