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    Cooked beef and macaroni pasta in skillet with wooden spoon.

    Homemade Hamburger Helper

    Ready in 30 minutes or less, this delicious and comforting homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1½ cups macaroni
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • hot sauce, to taste
    • parmesan cheese for serving, if desired

    Instructions

    • Add ground beef and onions to a large skillet and cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions start to get tender and caramelized, 4-5 minutes.
    • Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire, macaroni, beef broth, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer then cover. Cook for 12-14 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
    • Take off of the heat and stir in sour cream and cheddar cheese. Let pasta stand for 5-10 minutes to cool (this will also help to thicken it up a bit). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Serve immediately with chopped parsley, hot sauce and grated parmesan cheese for serving, if desired.

    Notes

    • Cook the beef well: The ground beef is the base of the entire recipe, so you want to make sure you're correctly browning it. Brown the beef with a good amount of oil and a really hot pan, but be careful not to overcook. When properly browned, your beef should be nice a juicy.
    • Change up the flavors: You may recall that there are many different hamburger helper flavors -- the original hamburger macaroni, a lasagna version, and tons of others. This homemade hamburger helper recipe is easy to change up depending on the flavor profile you're going for.
    • Customize your ingredients: Consider adding diced tomatoes, minced garlic, or even some diced jalapeños for a nice spicy kick. Wanting a more Mexican-style dinner? Add in corn, black beans, and a little bit of salsa. The options really are endless!

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 731kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 43gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 147mgSodium: 1483mgPotassium: 770mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1030IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 484mgIron: 4mg