One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

Make your own Homemade Hamburger Helper at home in just one pot! Ground beef and macaroni simmer in a richly seasoned beef broth, and it’s finished off with cream and cheese. This is so much better than the boxed stuff.

HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER RECIPE

Did you know that you can make homemade hamburger helper?! I know the store-bought boxed hamburger helper is so convenient and trust me, I totally get that some nights that is as good as it will get, and I have nothing against store-bought convenient meals. 

But you can make hamburger helper at home in just one pot! Yes even the macaroni noodles cook in the same pot. This is a richly seasoned ground beef base and elbow noodles that cook in beef broth. Add in some cheese, cream, and sour cream at the end and you have delicious homemade hamburger helper. 

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER IN ONE POT

Ground Beef – I use lean ground beef that is 93/7. But you will drain the excess grease so you can use anything you like or whatever you have.

Onion – I use a yellow onion but you could also use a white onion or a sweet Vidalia onion as well. 

Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Pepper

Tomato Paste 

Worcestershire Sauce – Trust me on this one! I know some think this is too strong in recipes, but it’s only 1 teaspoon and it makes such a difference and gives such a rich and deep flavor. 

Beef Broth – The recipe has been tested with full salt beef broth (not the 50% reduced sodium). If you are more sensitive to salt or you want to control the salt amount then go ahead and use the 50% reduced sodium beef broth. 

Elbow Pasta – I know I will get the question of “can I use another pasta” and the answer is that it is best to stick with what the recipe calls for. You can always experiment with other similar sized pasta but for best results use the elbows. 

Sour Cream – Light sour cream is just fine.

Heavy Cream

Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Shred this yourself from a block of cheddar cheese. The packaged pre-shredded cheese has a powder coating on it to prevent it from clumping in the bag, which also means it does not melt as smoothly as the cheese that you shred yourself. 

MY TIPS & HELPFUL HINTS

• Can I make this spicy?

  • The recipe as written is not spicy at all. It’s very flavorful but not spicy. If you want it spicier then try adding some cayenne red pepper in with the seasonings. You could also add some hot sauce in with the beef broth and pasta. 

• Can I use a different pasta?

  • It’s best to always follow the recipe and use the pasta that the recipe has been tested with. 
  • You could alway try using a similar sized pasta as the elbows if you want to. 

• Use shredded cheese that you grate yourself

  • I know buying the pack of shredded cheese is so much easier but grate your own for best results. 
  • The packaged cheese comes with a powder coating on it to prevent it from clumping up in the bag. But it also prevents it from melting smoothly and nicely into whatever you put it in. Grated cheese from a block will always taste better than the pre-shredded cheese in the bags. 

TRY THESE OTHER ONE POT DINNER RECIPES

One Pot Taco Pasta – Easy one pot dinner recipe with taco seasoned ground beef, pasta, and salsa.  

Chicken Burrito Skillet – Chicken burritos made in one skillet pan but without the tortillas. Chicken, beans, tomatoes, simmer in a seasoned chicken broth base. We love this topped with all our favorite taco toppings like lettuce, avocado, and sour cream. 

Tomato Hamburger Vegetable Soup – A delicious hamburger soup made in one pot on the stove top.

BBQ Beef Pasta Skillet – BBQ seasoned ground beef with pasta and corn. This has such a unique flavor to it and it smells amazing while cooking. 

One Pot Turkey Chili Mac and Cheese – Ground turkey chili cooks with pasta in the same pan for an easy, 30 minute dinner that combines the two best comfort foods – Mac and cheese and chili!

One Pot Chicken Mushroom Orzo – Amazingly creamy orzo with juicy chicken, mushrooms and baby spinach.