Description
Comforting homemade hamburger helper brings nostalgic flavors straight from childhood kitchens to your dinner table. Hearty pasta, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Pasta and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) small pasta shells (or small elbow pasta, roughly half a 1 pound box)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth as an alternative)
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Thickening Agent:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef thoroughly, breaking into crumbles for about 6-7 minutes. Transfer meat to a separate dish, reserving approximately 2 tablespoons of beef drippings in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, roughly 5 minutes. Quickly incorporate minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors from the beef drippings.
- Dust the onion mixture with all-purpose flour, stirring continuously for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste. Gradually introduce beef broth while scraping pan bottom to incorporate caramelized bits, then raise heat to create a gentle boil.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add uncooked pasta directly into the sauce, mixing thoroughly. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from sticking.
- After pasta reaches desired tenderness, lower heat and blend in heavy cream. Gradually melt shredded cheddar cheese until sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Reintroduce browned beef, warming everything together. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein alternative that maintains the dish’s hearty texture and flavor profile.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting Italian seasoning and adding red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a subtle kick in their comfort food.
- Choose whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value and create a more fiber-rich version of this classic one-pan meal.
- Lactose-free or dairy-free options work perfectly by using nutritional yeast instead of cheddar and coconut cream in place of heavy cream for similar creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg