Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper Recipe
Homemade Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is a quick and comforting one-pot dinner made with lean ground beef, tender macaroni, a creamy tomato-seasoned sauce, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese. It is an easy family-friendly meal that comes together on the stovetop with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef, 90%
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely minced, about 1 cup
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups milk, any kind
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 12 oz macaroni, about 2 1/2 cups
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add the finely minced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir well. Cook for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth and milk, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce.
- Stir in the salt, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard until well combined.
- Add the uncooked macaroni and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot.
Notes
- Stir the pasta occasionally while it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or beef broth to loosen it.
- Sharp cheddar gives the dish a stronger cheeseburger flavor, while mild cheddar creates a creamier taste.
- You can add diced pickles, extra mustard, or chopped green onions for additional cheeseburger-inspired flavor.
- For a richer version, replace part of the milk with half-and-half.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently.