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Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Homemade Hamburger Helper

[heart_this] · May 16, 2024 · 3 Comments

Hamburger Helper

A quick, easy and tasty homemade, from scratch, hamburger helper.

Hamburger helper is a store bought meal in a box containing a seasoning packet with pasta that you simply add ground beef and a liquid to. This is a super simple, one-pan homemade version! This recipe starts out with beef and onions followed by seasonings, before adding the pasta and broth, and cooking with cheese added at the end. This recipe is super easy to make, making it perfect for busy work nights and it’s family friendly!

Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper

Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6

A quick, easy and tasty homemade, from scratch, hamburger helper.

ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free for gluten-free)
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or oregano) – link this
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 8 ounces pasta (such as macaroni) (gluten-free for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free for gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (or sour cream or 4 ounces cream cheese)
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
directions
  1. Cook the beef and onion in a large skillet until cooked through, about 10 minutes, before draining off any excess grease.
  2. Add the flour, garlic, garlic powder, onion, powder, paprika, cayenne, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, mix well and cook for a minute.
  3. Add the broth, pasta, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce , mix, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until the pasta is tender, about 8 minutes.
  4. Turn off the heat, add the cream and cheese, mix and let the cheese melt into the sauce before enjoying!
Option: The flour is used to help thicken the sauce and it can be omitted.
Option: Add a squirt of ketchup or 1 tablespoon tomato paste.
Option: Add 1 teaspoon mustard.
Option: Add cooked and crumbled bacon!
Nutrition Facts: Calories 476, Fat 29g (Saturated 14g, Trans 1g), Cholesterol 94mg, Sodium 603mg, Carbs 38g (Fiber 2g, Sugars 3g), Protein 26g

Nutrition by: Nutritional facts powered by Edamam
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30 Minute Meals, American, Beef, Food, Gluten-free, Main Course, Meal Prep, One-Pan, One-Pot, Pasta, Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Clay Allen Lyles says

    August 20, 2024 at 4:14 pm

    If I wanted to use two lbs of meat would I just double everything else?

    Reply
    • kevin says

      August 26, 2024 at 11:00 am

      Yes! Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Nancy says

    May 24, 2025 at 5:07 pm

    I made this and I must say it’s very good. In fact, I didn’t save the recipe before and had to come do a search (which found it easily), and I’m making it again tonight. It’s quick and so easy. Thanks, Kevin.

    Reply

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About Me

Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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