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    Hamburger Helper

    Updated September 14, 2026 / By Holly Erickson

    If you don’t have memories of Hamburger Helper, were you ever even a kid? Today, I’m making this comforting classic from scratch. Turns out, the homemade version is almost as easy as the box!  

    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with pasta, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    The Best Hamburger Helper Doesn’t Come From A Box

    When I set out to make a homemade Hamburger Helper recipe, I didn’t realize that it would be so easy to make a super tasty version using fresh ingredients. But if you have a few seasonings in your pantry, it truly is so easy. 

    Want more easy pastas kids will love? Try my 4-ingredient mac and cheese, or classic fettuccine alfredo. If it’s ground beef you crave, don’t miss my round up of my best ground beef recipes. It’s got everything from patty melts, to sloppy Joes and everything in between. 

    ground beef, butter, pasta, shredded cheese, beef stock, milk and spices in prep bowls to make homemade hamburger helper

    Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients

    • Ground beef: I use 93/7 ground beef here, which is very very lean. I just like it better for this recipe! It works well. If you can’t find it, 90/10 is OK. Ground turkey or chicken both work fine if that’s what you have on-hand. 
    • Tomato paste: A powerful source of umami, and a big flavor boost. 
    • Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt and pepper
    • Salted butter: I usually use salted butter for any savory cooking. Unsalted is fine, but you may want to add additional salt to taste at the end.  
    • Flour: To make it thick and creamy. 
    • Milk: For extra creaminess. Use whole milk! 
    • Pasta: Macaroni is what I usually use, but you could use egg noodles if you prefer. 
    • Cheddar cheese: Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. For the best results, always shred it yourself. Bonus: It is also more cost effective to shred it yourself. 
    ground beef, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a skillet
    ground beef, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, mixed together in a skillet
    butter and flour being added to a pan with ground beef and spices
    stock and milk being added to a skillet with ground beef, butter, tomato paste and spices

    How To Make DIY Hamburger Helper 

    1. Brown the beef for about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. 
    2. Stir the tomato paste, and all the seasonings into the beef. 
    3. Add the flour and the butter, water or stock and milk. 
    4. Bring it all to a strong simmer. Add the macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, for about 6 minutes.
    5. Stir in the cheese. 
    6. Dig in! 
    milk being poured into a skillet with ground beef, spices, and stock
    cooked macaroni noodles being stirred into a skillet with ground beef and sauce to make hamburger helper from scratch

    How to Store Leftovers

    I tend to think this recipe is best served fresh! Plus, my kids tend to gobble it up. But, any leftover hamburger helper keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days, or you could store them in the freezer for up to three months. 

    shredded cheddar cheese being stirred into a pan of homemade hamburger helper in this easy 20 minute recipe
    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with macaroni, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices

    Tips for Success

    • Add veggies! Frozen peas, corn, or finely diced bell pepper stirred in with the macaroni is a great way to add veggies to this dish! 
    • Make it gluten-free: Gluten-free penne or elbow noodles plus a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works, though you may need a little extra liquid since gluten-free pasta tends to absorb differently.
    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with pasta, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices
    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with elbow macaroni, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices

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    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with pasta, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices

    Hamburger Helper Recipe

    Updated September 14, 2026

    By Holly Erickson

    • Serves:  4
    • Prep Time:  5 min
    • Cook Time:  15 min
    • Calories:  673

    Description

    This homemade Hamburger Helper takes the classic boxed favorite and makes it from scratch. It's a quick, one-pot dinner the whole family will love, ready in just 20 minutes.

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      Ingredients

      • 1 pound 93/7 ground beef
      • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
      • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
      • 1 teaspoon onion powder
      • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
      • ½ teaspoon chili powder
      • 1 teaspoon sugar
      • ½ teaspoon sea salt
      • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
      • 2 tablespoons salted butter
      • 2 tablespoons flour
      • 2 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water, (we like a combination of beef and chicken stock)
      • 1 ½ cups milk
      • 8 ounces macaroni pasta
      • 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese, (about 2 cups)
      • Minced fresh parsley, for serving (optional)

      Method

      1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander set over a bowl to drain off the fat.

        ground beef, butter, pasta, shredded cheese, beef stock, milk and spices in prep bowls to make homemade hamburger helper

      2. Return the beef to the pot. Stir the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper into the browned beef. Add the butter and cook, stirring, until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until thoroughly combined, about 1 more minute.

        ground beef, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a skillet

      3. Add the stock and milk and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, add the macaroni and cook, stirring constantly, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened, about 6 minutes.

        shredded cheddar cheese being stirred into a pan of homemade hamburger helper in this easy 20 minute recipe

      4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese until melted. Serve sprinkled with parsley if using. 

        a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with macaroni, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices

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      Nutrition Info

      • Per Serving
      • Amount
      • Calories 673
      • Protein 47 g
      • Carbohydrates 51 g
      • Total Fat 31 g
      • Dietary Fiber 1 g
      • Cholesterol 139 mg
      • Sodium 958 mg
      • Total Sugars 7 g

      Hamburger Helper

      Questions & Reviews

      Rated 4.9 stars by 19 readers

      or
      • Phil

        Should you be adding the beef back to the pan first once it has finished draining the fat? Or do you add everything else from step two in first and then the beef back in? It doesnt say when to put the beef back into the pot. Sorry if this is obvious, Im a beginner.

        Transfer the beef back to the pan and then add everything in. No need to be sorry, we will fix that to make it more clear. Thanks Phil, hope you enjoy!

      • Cami

        Can you omit the sugar?

        Sure! Hope you enjoy.

      • Heather

        Thoughts on doubling this recipe to feed a bigger family?

        Go for it! hope you enjoy!

      • M

        If I were to make this recipe with ground chicken or turkey (can't eat beef) is there anything else you would recommend changing in the recipe? Or do you think I shouldn't make it if I can't use beef (i.e., the taste would be too wrong)?

        Subbing for chicken or turkey should work fine! Hope you enjoy!

      • Sarah

        5-star rating

        This was a big hit with the family. So much flavor and really only took about 30 minutes start to finish. Thanks for this recipe.

        YAY! Thanks Sarah, so glad you loved it!

      • Mallory

        5-star rating

        I made hamburger helper for my very picky family and everyone loved it. I made it with our favorite gluten free penne noodles and gluten free flour. I had to add about a cup more liquid to accommodate the gluten-free-ness. It turned out wonderful! Thank you so much!!

        Thank you! We are so happy you and your family love it and that you were able to make it gluten free for you guys!

      • Katie

        5-star rating

        Ive been wanting to make this recipe for a long time, but was worried my husband would turn his nose at it. To my surprise, he was extremely excited about it. He suggested adding corn which I thought was weird, but ended up being a great addition (just added half a bag of frozen corn when adding the macaroni). We loved the recipe, super easy, our toddler ate it, all wins over here!

        Thanks you, we are so happy you all loved it!

      • Becca

        3-star rating

        My dad came over while I was making this and said what are you making? It smells good! I replied hamburger helper. He had some and I asked how it was. He said not as good as homemade. Haha! Then I let him know it was homemade. It is definitely lacking spices or something. Maybe Ill use real onion and garlic next time?

      • Wes

        5-star rating

        We loved this recipe, but next time will use a good breakfast sausage in lieu of hamburger for a little more flavor. I guess we'll call it Sausage Helper?

        hah! Love it. Glad you enjoyed it Wes.

      • Jeannie

        5-star rating

        I tried to make this recipe lower in salt. Used unsalted butter but found that it needed more flavor so I added extra teaspoons of onion, & garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Also added more tomato paste. Good idea combining the 2 broths and used about half the bouillon flavoring with the same amount of water. Another thing is that the pasta didn't cook thoroughly with the amount of liquid so I added about a cup more. Let it boil about 5 more minutes, turned it off and covered it. It's really yummy!

        Glad you enjoyed it Jeannie!

      • Juli

        5-star rating

        AMAZING! It smelled so good that it tempted my SO, who wasnt hungry, to come over to the kitchen to try some, then grab two servings. I love that this doesnt stick to the bottom of the pan, like my old recipe did.

        Thanks Juli, we are so glad you both enjoyed it!

      • Leandra

        5-star rating

        Simple to make. Incredibly flavorful. I used ground turkey and served it with roasted asparagus. I can't wait to make it again!

        Thanks Leandra, so glad you loved it!

      • Riley

        5-star rating

        I make this recipe time and time again. Truly delicious and super easy to make on a weeknight.

        Thanks Riley, we are so glad you love it!

      • Anna

        5-star rating

        I grew up on Hamburger Helper but eventually learned I've have to go gluten free. This was easy to make with all gluten free ingredients and it was fun to recreate the dish I'd enjoyed so much when I was younger. Thanks for figuring out all the measurements. It turned out great!

        Thanks Anna, so glad you loved it!

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