With just 5 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, Grandma's One Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper is a healthy, fast, and easy dinner recipe that the whole family will enjoy!
This Hamburger Helper is one of those simple dinners that will be a regular lifesaver for your busy family. It only requires one pan (which equals fewer dishes to clean up), and the meal practically cooks itself after about 5 minutes of hands-on prep.
What is Hamburger Helper?
The original Hamburger Helper is a packaged food product, made by the Betty Crocker brand, that consists of boxed dried pasta with seasonings in a powdered sauce packet. The idea is that you simply add ground beef to the boxed ingredients and dinner is on the table!
My grandmother's recipe for a homemade Hamburger Helper includes all of the classic flavors that we loved -- minus the weird packaged ingredients. Best of all, this version is just as easy!
How to make a Homemade Hamburger Helper:
You only need a handful of pantry staples -- plus hamburger meat -- for this easy dinner.
Ingredients for Homemade Hamburger Helper:
- Ground Beef
- Water
- Beef Broth
- Elbow macaroni pasta
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Chili Powder
- Optional toppings, like cheese and parsley
First, brown the ground beef in a skillet until no longer pink; drain off the fat.
Then add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, and simmer (uncovered) for about 15 minutes. The pasta cooks right in the pan and the sauce thickens up as it simmers.
If you like, sprinkle some grated cheese over the top of the skillet during the final few minutes, just to give it time to melt. Then add a pinch of fresh chopped parsley, and serve!
What to serve with this ground beef pasta:
This pasta and ground beef dinner pairs nicely with any of the following easy sides:
- A simple green salad with Italian Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Garlic bread, French baguette, or 3-Ingredient Homemade Breadsticks
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli
- 2-Ingredient Italian Sugar Snap Peas
Tips for making the best Homemade Hamburger Helper:
- Swap out the ground beef and use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
- Brown the hamburger first. This gives the beef color and seals in the flavor.
- Drain the fat. This is another important tip, since it's not only a healthier way of cooking, but it also prevents the finished dish from having a greasy texture.
- The added cheese is optional but it really makes this hamburger helper extra comforting. Go for a sharp cheddar or other good melting cheese.
- For added texture, sprinkle cheese and a few fresh breadcrumbs over the top, and then place it under the broiler for a few minutes. This will give it a crunchy, cheesy topping similar to mac and cheese.
- I wouldn't recommend freezing this dish. The pasta will swell and change texture, so the reheated version may be a bit mushy.
More Delicious Homemade Pasta Recipes:
- Dump and Bake Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
- Dump and Bake Pasta Puttanesca
- Dump and Bake Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta
- Taco Pasta Casserole
One Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef (I used 96% lean, but any will work)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons minced dried onion
- ½ teaspoon minced dried garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ cup tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: grated cheese; parsley
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off the fat, and add remaining ingredients to the skillet, as well as about ½ teaspoon of salt and a dash of pepper.
- Stir to combine, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes (or until it reaches your desired thickness). Taste the pasta and season with additional salt and pepper, to taste. At this point, I also like to stir in about 1 teaspoon of sugar, which is just a nice counter to the acidic tomatoes (but totally optional). Garnish with cheese and parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Swap out the ground beef and use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
- Brown the hamburger first. This gives the beef color and seals in the flavor.
- Drain the fat. This is another important tip, since it's not only a healthier way of cooking, but it also prevents the finished dish from having a greasy texture.
- The added cheese is optional but it really makes this hamburger helper extra comforting. Go for a sharp cheddar or other good melting cheese.
- For added texture, sprinkle cheese and a few fresh breadcrumbs over the top, and then place it under the broiler for a few minutes. This will give it a crunchy, cheesy topping similar to mac and cheese.
- I wouldn't recommend freezing this dish. The pasta will swell and change texture, so the reheated version may be a bit mushy.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Hungry child who needs A HEALTHY dinner like right now is my everyday struggle. I have a picky eater what makes things even worse for me. That's why I love recipe like this one. It's super delicious, healthy, HOMEMADE and super delicious. Blair, this one pan wonder looks really amazing. Juicy, full of flavours and so tasty. Pinning and sharing 😉
Yep, this is a one pan wonder that the whole family will actually eat! Thanks so much for stopping by, Natalie!
I have made this several times and we love it. I want to make it for a pasta pot luck my son’s cross country team is having. Each dish is supposed to feed 8. Do you think I could just double this recipe? Or would it be best to make two separate batches?
Hi, Dori! I'm so glad that you love it! Yes -- you can definitely just double the recipe -- just make sure that you use a big enough skillet or Dutch oven to accommodate twice as much. No need to make separate batches. 🙂
I hope the kids enjoy it!
You had me at hamburger helper! This reminds me of when I was little, my parents would make the boxed version, and for some reason, I loved it! This homemade version looks even better than the packaged kind. What a quick and easy meal for busy weeknights. Love it!
So retro, right?! I imagine that's why it was in my grandmother's recipe box -- because she was trying to make her own version of the stuff in the box! 🙂
Mmmmmm I'm so pinning this!!! I grey up on hamburger helper, but the gross boxed kind. This version looks so good Blair! My hubby and toddlers would go bonkers over this!!
Yep, this is a meal that the men in your house will love, Chrissa -- and you don't have to feel badly about serving it! 🙂
This looks incredible I just forwarded to the hubs to change the dinner plans for tonight. I want this!!
Hooray! I know you'll love it, Gina! Moms (and grandmoms) always have the best recipes! 🙂
This looks deeeelicious! We have a homemade hamburger helper recipe too as Jesse randomly craved it one day when he first moved here and I spent weeks trying to perfect it, haha!
That's funny -- it's such a classic in this country, but the homemade version is definitely WAY better than a box!
I bet you were exhausted. Glad you can be home now, but still busy mom! For sure. YOu always impress me. This dish would be perfect for those crazy nights where the brain doesn't work. Feed that family with little effort. YEA!
Yep, juggling everything is hard no matter what the situation -- it's just different! Wouldn't trade these guys for anything, but they definitely keep me busy...
Love the simplicity of this recipe! Another family dinner recipe winner Blair! Yum!! Xoxo
Thank you, Kelly! It's definitely simple, and it's definitely family-friendly! 🙂
Is it spicy with the chili powder?
no. My 5 year old calls everything with Spices, spicy, and she has never refused anything with chili powder.
It isn’t spicy at all.
This looks great1 I've seen a few similar recipes that use milk instead of broth or water. Just curious what the difference is and why you opted to not sure milk?
Hi, Andrea! I used water because I was just following an old family recipe and that's how my grandmother made them. 🙂 I've never tried the recipe with milk, so I can't say for sure how they would differ. I'm assuming it would probably work, but that the sauce would be creamier (which this is not). Let me know if you give it a try!
I'm so going to make this for dinner tonight.... Can i put shredded cheese after it's all done...... I'm so happy i ran into this recipe ????????????????
Absolutely! Shredded cheese on top is always a good idea. 🙂 Enjoy, Desiree!
Great spaghetti recipe, Unfortunately I was really looking forward to hamburger helper, so to make this with hamburger helper in mind was inconceivably disappointing.
I can see the spaghetti comparison. I think it sort of has an over powering tomato taste. I’m not getting the Hamburger Helper taste at all. :/
Super easy and delicious! It was gone same day. Will definitely make this again. Thank you!
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know, and I'm so glad that it was a hit! 🙂
can i double this recipe? also can i use tomatoe soup if i dont jave tomato paste?
Hi! You can definitely double the recipe -- just make sure to use a big pan! 🙂
I have never tried using tomato soup instead of the tomato paste; however, that substitution will definitely change the taste and texture of the dish. I don't think that it will be "bad," but it won't taste the same as the original. The tomato paste has a much more concentrated tomato flavor, and it is also much thicker than the tomato soup would be. Again, not necessarily a terrible substitute, but I can't guarantee the taste and texture of the finished product. 🙂
Just made this tonight and it was a big hit with everyone! I changed it a bit by starting with sautéed onions and garlic instead of powdered and used vegetarian ground round beef instead as we are vegetarian. I added chopped fresh tomato instead of tomato paste and vegetable stock instead of beef. This was a very yummy and filling meal.
Excellent! Thanks so much for sharing your changes, Janet. So glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
This was simple and delicious! My teenagers devoured it. Will mist definitely make this again!
Excellent! Thanks for letting me know, Lorraine! 🙂
I just made this for my husband and we loved it! So much better than the boxes hamburger helper. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Yay! So glad that you guys enjoyed it, Katelyn!
This was easy to make and delicious! My family loved it!
Perfect! Thanks, Jill! 🙂
I made this tonight & it was really good! I didn’t have any tomato paste so I used tomato sauce & added a bit less water. It may have changed the taste slightly, but it was still really good (and super easy!)
Thanks, Angie! I’m so glad that you liked it! Thanks for letting us know about that ingredient substitute too.????
I just made this and it is amazing! I had all the ingredients in my house. Can’t believe how simple it was to make.
Yay! So glad that you liked it, Kelly! 🙂
This was so simple and good!
My family enjoyed it.
Great! Thanks, Tania! 🙂
To make this palatable and not just taste like canned tomato paste I had to add extra chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, cinnamon and sumac. And now it’s delicious! I think you can definitely use this as a base and season it to your own personal tastes. Great with the parsley and cheddar cheese! My husband will love this!! Especially with some garlic bread.
Yes! Definitely use this as a base if you like more seasonings. Enjoy!
It was just ok but when you compare it to hamburger helper well that right there tells you something. To each his own though. We all are different but my family decided it cant be kept in my "keeper" box.
I was so happy that I came across this recipe. I forgot to write a review the first time that I made it. This is made with staples that are always in my house. I am making it for the second time tonight. I told my husband what we were going to have, and his response was, " I love that meal! YAY!"
Thank you for a awesome easy recipe, that is way better than the box! So easy too! 🙂
Wonderful! Thank you, Jeane! I'm so glad that your husband even enjoys the meal, too! 🙂
Is it weird that I want to add a bag of frozen mixed veggies in this?
Should I add quarter to half a cup ofbroth to accommodate veggies?
Hey, Jessica! The frozen mixed vegetables would be a great addition. Try adding them first (without the extra broth) and see how the texture is. I bet it will be fine. If you would prefer it to be thinner with the vegetables, you can always add a little bit of broth at a time to reach your desired consistency. 🙂
This is very good. My hubby really likes this dish. Since our kids are grown, next time will add a little more garlic and maybe a pinch of basil. Yummy stuff. ????????
Thanks, Betty!
This is perfect! I have made this many times now. I pretty much stay on recipe except I generally use all broth and I am always pretty liberal with the listed seasonings.. It is really fast, really simple, and really flavorful! At the end I sometimes add a pouch of Velveeta cheese sauce which totally ruins the homemade aspect but my kids absolutely love it. Seriously all 6 of them are beyond happy when I make it, it's one of their all time favorite meals.
That's awesome, Angela! Thank you!
So good and so easy!
Thanks, Rebecca!
Wonderful recipe! I added Worcestershire sauce to hamburger mixture and cooked noodles separately. Then stirred altogether with shredded cheese. Big hit! Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is seriously sooooo good!!!! To die for.
Thank you very appreciated
Thanks, Veronica! I appreciate that you took the time to leave a note. So glad that you liked it!
Question: I feel like 1 cup of macaroni is not enough because I need a few more servings and don't want to double the whole thing. Would I need to add more liquid? Thanks
Hi! Yes, you would want to increase the liquid a bit, since the extra pasta will absorb more liquid. Just be aware that the final product will be different if you're not also increasing the other ingredients along with the pasta.
I have this recipe bookmarked because my finicky husband loves this recipe. I add an additional teaspoon of chili powder- but very little tweaking needed. Super easy to make! Thanks for this!
That's awesome, Frankie! Thank you for letting me know. I'm so glad that he approves! 🙂
Second time making this! My family loves it, I always have the ingredients on hand. Thanks for sharing a great recipe