One Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper

Name: One Pan Homemade Hamburger Helper
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
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

Lasted edited September 30, 2019. Originally published December 21, 2016 by Blair

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Wooden spoon scooping up homemade hamburger helper

Just 5 minutes of prep for a homemade Hamburger Helper that's healthier and tastier than the store-bought version!

Total Time: 25 minutes

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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:

Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to rate it and leave me a comment below! You can follow me on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest, and on Twitter!

4.93 from 14 votes