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Close-up of a bowl of homemade hamburger helper, showing shell pasta in a creamy, cheesy, and meaty sauce.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

A comforting homemade version of the classic Hamburger Helper, packed with savory beef, pasta, and cheesy goodness.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

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

Method
 

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large sauté pan; remove and set aside, reserving 2 tbsp grease.
  2. Sauté onion until soft, add garlic for 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in flour, then slowly add broth and bring to a boil.
  4. Add tomato sauce, seasonings, pasta, and simmer until pasta is tender, adding broth if needed.
  5. Stir in cream and cheese until melted, reheat beef, then let rest to thicken before serving.

Notes

For a creamier texture, add extra cheese or cream as desired.