Homemade Hamburger Helper

Ready in 30 minutes and with just one-pot, this easy and extra cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is sure to be a new family favorite! Every bite features tender pasta and savory ground beef smothered in a rich, creamy tomato and cheese sauce.

Prep : 10 Total : 25 minutes

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 large yellow onion diced
1 clove garlic minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
8 oz tomato sauce 1 can
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
8 oz small pasta shells or small elbow pasta (Keep in mind 8 oz is 0.5 of a normal 1lb box of pasta.)
0.5 cup heavy cream or half and half
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparation Steps

In a large sauté pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium high heat. Remove cooked ground beef from pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease in the pan.
Lower the heat to medium and add the onion. Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds.
Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute, slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, cover with lid and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally. If your noodles are not cooked through and you're running out of liquid, add an extra 0.25 to 0.5 cup broth as needed.
Add in the cream and cheese and stir until all the cheese melted. Add back in ground beef, cook for 2 to 3 minutes more to re-heat ground beef. Remove from the heat and let it rest for a minute or two so the sauce can thicken, then serve immediately!

Notes