One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
This One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is nostalgia in a pot. Growing up, I use to love making Hamburger Helper from the box. However, as an adult, the ingredients used in the boxed version are no longer my favorite. So I recreated it!
This homemade hamburger helper recipe is healthier and only requires one pot. It calls for freshly diced vegetables, lean ground beef, freshly grated medium cheddar cheese, spices and tender macaroni. It’s delicious!
Enjoy alongside a leafy salad, or my fresh Zucchini Salad for a simple yet balanced meal.
Substitutions and Ingredients Needed
- Avocado Oil – This is used to brown the ground beef.
- Ground Beef – You’ll need lean ground beef for this recipe. Fattier ground beef will yield more grease which is not needed for this recipe. So, use lean ground beef for the best results. Option to use ground turkey or ground Italian sausage instead.
- Vegetables – This recipe calls for diced sweet onion, tomato and green bell pepper.
- Spices / Seasoning – This recipe calls for kosher salt, paprika, chili powder and a few turns of cracked black pepper.
- Tomato Paste – Tomato paste adds a depth of flavor to the sauce that’s hard to resist.
- Beef Broth – I use beef broth for this recipe. However, you can use beef stock instead.
- Milk – This recipe calls for 2% milk to keep things lighter. For a creamier sauce, use heavy cream or half and half.
- Pasta – This recipe calls for one cup of dry elbow macaroni. I did not test any other pasta with this recipe.
- Cheese – This recipe calls for freshly grated medium cheddar cheese. I used Tillamook brand. Freshly grating the cheese allows it to melt into the sauce and tastes amazing.
How to Make One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
Place a Dutch oven pan or sauce pot over medium high heat and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Allow the beef to brown in the pan and break it down using a spatula.
Next, add the diced tomato, diced green bell pepper, diced sweet onion and minced garlic. Sauté. Season everything with paprika, chili powder, kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
Once the vegetables have softened add the tomato paste and stir well. Let the tomato paste caramelize in the pan a touch before deglazing the pan with beef broth. Once you add the broth, be sure to scrape any tiny pieces from the bottom of the pan.
Add the milk and elbow macaroni and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan. Simmer for 12-15 minutes. Once the pasta is tender turn the heat off. Add the grated medium cheddar cheese and gently fold it in until its melted. Taste and season accordingly. Option to add some red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. Serve hot. Handy box grater.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. To reheat, add broth to a pan or microwave safe dish. The broth helps reconstitute the sauce. Heat until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different pasta shape? I did not test any other pasta shapes. I used Delallo elbow macaroni.
Can I use olive oil? Yes! Olive oil will work instead of avocado oil.
What can I serve this with? Try my Zucchini Salad, Sautéed Vegetable Salad, or Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette.
Can I use a different cheese? I did not test any other cheese, but if you use a cheese that melts well it should work fine. Pepper jack or low moisture mozzarella should work fine.
Can I use ground turkey? Yes, ground turkey, ground chicken or Italian sausage should all work instead of beef.
One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven or sauce pot
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons avocado oil, or olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet onion, diced small
- ½ cup green bell pepper, diced small
- ½ cup Roma tomatoes, diced small
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced, about 2 cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- few turns cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1.5 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2.5 cups beef broth
- ½ cup 2% milk
- 1 cup elbow macaroni, dry pasta
- 1.5 – 2 cups medium cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
How to Make One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Place a Dutch oven pan or sauce pot over medium high heat and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Allow the beef to brown in the pan and break it down using a spatula.
- Next, add the diced tomato, diced green bell pepper, diced sweet onion and minced garlic. Sauté. Season everything with paprika, chili powder, kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
- Once the vegetables have softened add the tomato paste and stir well. Let the tomato paste caramelize in the pan a touch before deglazing the pan with beef broth. Once you add the broth, be sure to scrape any tiny pieces from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the milk and elbow macaroni and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan. Simmer for 12-15 minutes. Once the pasta is tender turn the heat off. Add the grated medium cheddar cheese and gently fold it in until its melted. Taste and season accordingly. Option to add some red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. Serve hot.
7 Comments on “One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper”
I made this as a meal prep for my 10 month old who is getting ready to start daycare. He had some for lunch and he LOVED it! I feel so good knowing he will have a hot, homemade lunch. Thank you for such a great recipe. Keep them coming!
Just so delicious and comforting. Very convenient you cook everything in the same pot. We really enjoyed this healthy version of a nostalgic meal.
thanks, Marissa! I appreciate that!!
“Hella good” from the hubby, and I agree! I don’t remember what the boxed version tastes like but this is awesome as written. The two of us are all 4 servings!! The only chance I would make is not adding salt if you use beef better than bullion. Otherwise great quick one-pot meal!!
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for the feedback!
Made this tonight and we loved it. Was a perfect amount for my husband and I with enough for lunches. I did add hot pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp because we love spicy. Will keep this in the rotation. Will also add diced jalapeños from my garden when they are ready to be picked.
Sounds delish! Glad you enjoyed!