Homemade Hamburger Helper
A hearty, one-pot wonder, this Homemade Hamburger Helper brings together seasoned beef, pasta, cheese, and vegetables in a savory tomato-based sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal, ready in just half an hour—ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups tomato or pasta sauce
- 2 ¾ cups dry elbow macaroni approx. one 375g box
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 ¾ cups milk
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- ¼ cup frozen spinach thawed and squeezed dry (or 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach) – optional
- ½ medium onion diced
Instructions
- In a large saucepan or deep skillet, brown the ground beef along with the diced onion and bell pepper over medium heat, cooking until the vegetables soften and the meat is fully browned.
- Incorporate the spinach, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, ground mustard, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
- Pour in the milk, beef broth, uncooked macaroni, and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
- Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheese, mixing until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, cover the pot again, and let stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to melt through.
Notes
Substitute the ground beef with ground chicken, pork, or turkey as desired.
Feel free to replace the spinach and peppers with finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, or kale.
Low-sodium broth is recommended to control salt levels; adjust seasoning based on the broth used.
Any type of milk, including non-dairy alternatives, may be used.
Other short pasta shapes are suitable but may require different cooking times or additional liquid. Adjust accordingly during simmering.
Feel free to replace the spinach and peppers with finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, or kale.
Low-sodium broth is recommended to control salt levels; adjust seasoning based on the broth used.
Any type of milk, including non-dairy alternatives, may be used.
Other short pasta shapes are suitable but may require different cooking times or additional liquid. Adjust accordingly during simmering.