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    March 29, 2024

    Hamburger Helper

    Everyone has memories of Hamburger Helper from their childhood. We’re making this comforting classic from scratch, and you’ll be surprised that the homemade version is as easy to make as the box!

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

    More of our favorite beef recipes

    The Best Hamburger Helper Doesn’t Come From A Box

    You know we love a challenge, and when we set out to make a hamburger helper recipe, we didn’t realize that it would be so easy to make a super tasty homemade version using fresh ingredients. We’ve got plenty of easy pastas kids will love, like our Easy Vodka Sauce, 4-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese, and Fettuccine Alfredo. We’ve also gathered our 30 Best Ground Beef Recipes, (Patty Melts, anyone?) for more dinner ideas.

    ground beef, butter, pasta, shredded cheese, beef stock, milk and spices in prep bowls

    Hamburger Helper Ingredients

    • Ground beef

    • Tomato paste

    • Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder

    • Sugar

    • Salt and pepper

    • Salted butter

    • Flour or cornstarch

    • Stock or water

    • Milk

    • Macaroni pasta

    • Cheddar cheese

    • Parsley, optional for topping

    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

    DIY Hamburger Helper

    1. Cook the beef in a large pot, 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.

    2. 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.

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

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

    milk being poured into a skillet with ground beef, spices, and stock
    cooked macaroni noodles being stirred into a skill with cooked ground beef and creamy sauce
    shredded cheddar cheese being stirred into a pan of homemade hamburger helper
    a pan of homemade hamburger helper made with macaroni, ground beef, milk, butter, beef stock, cheese and spices

    How to Store Leftovers + Tips

    • Is Hamburger Helper hard to make? Since we’ve been making this home made Hamburger Helper, we can’t imagine going back to the store bought kind. Our recipe is easy to follow, easy to make, and easy to love!

    • We call for a very lean ground beef for this recipe, making it even healthier than the store bought Hamburger Helper.

    • Our homemade hamburger helper recipe calls for elbow macaroni noodles, but another popular noodle is the egg noodle. You can make it using your favorite noodle.

    • Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

    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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    Hamburger Helper

    March 29, 2024

    • Serves: 4
    • Prep Time:  5 min
    • Cook Time:  15 min
    • Calories: 673
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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 or 1 tablespoon cornstarch (see Note)
    • 2 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water (we like a combination of beef and chicken stock)
    • 1½ 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.

    2. 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.

    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.

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

    Note:

    If using cornstarch, make a slurry by combining it with ¼ cup of cool water. Then you’ll skip adding the flour in step 2 and instead add the slurry to the pot in step 3 along with the stock and milk.

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories673
    • Protein47 g
    • Carbohydrates51 g
    • Total Fat31 g
    • Dietary Fiber1 g
    • Cholesterol139 mg
    • sodium958 mg
    • Total Sugars7 g

    Hamburger Helper

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • 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!

    • Anna

      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!

    • TEM

      I made this for dinner tonight and even my picky eaters ate their whole bowl and then some! Nostalgic, comforting flavors for my husband and I. Thanks!

      Thanks Tem, glad you all loved it!

    • Carmen

      Loved this recipe. Fast, easy, comforting. Took me back to being a kid on school nights without the MSG and homework. Thank You Modern Proper for this tasty meal.

      Thanks Carmen, we are so glad you loved it!

    • Allie

      This was delightfully easy. Quick and made with all pantry staples. Made it with 2% milk and chicken stock and it worked perfectly.

      Thanks Allie, we are so happy you loved it!

    • Corie

      Stellar! My 7 year old made this for dinner tonight and everyone DEVOURED it! So glad we doubled it!

      Thanks Corie, we are so glad you all loved it! AMAZING that you're 7 year old made it. Tell them we say GREAT JOB!