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homemade helper

smalltownwoman avatar
Recipe by
Beth Pierce
@smalltownwoman
Ofallon, MO

Easy homemade Hamburger Helper is so much better than the classic dish that Mom used to make with only all-natural ingredients. This delectable made-from-scratch cheesy recipe brings all the flavors of cheeseburgers into an easy one-pot meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes. Unlike the boxed version, it has wholesome good-for-you ingredients and no artificial anything, this is a must-try dish.

yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 5 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For homemade helper

  • 1 lb
    lean ground beef
  • 1/2 md
    medium onion chopped
  • 2 clove
    garlic minced
  • 1 tsp
    italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp
    paprika
  • ? tsp
    crushed red pepper
  • 3 c
    low sodium beef broth
  • 1
    15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • ½ c
    heavy cream or whole milk
  • 2 ½ c
    uncooked medium shell pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 2 c
    shredded cheddar
  • kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • chopped fresh parsley (garnish)

How To Make homemade helper

  • 1
    Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. When the ground beef is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions and cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft.
  • 2
    Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for 1 minute while stirring. Drain any excess grease.
  • 3
    Stir in the paprika, crushed red pepper, low-sodium beef broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and pasta. Stir to combine the ingredients and to get the pasta down in the liquid.
  • 4
    Bring the dish to a boil and then reduce it to a simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the pasta is just tender, about 8-11 minutes, stirring several times.
  • 5
    Remove the dish from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese in several increments until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
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