Description
A creamy, cheesy, one-pot pasta dish made with ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich cheddar sauce. A nostalgic comfort food classic made from scratch — no box needed!
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta and Liquids
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk preferred)
Cheese and Seasonings
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary to keep the dish from being greasy.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for about 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant, which builds the base flavor for the dish.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni, beef broth, milk, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Simmer the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low to simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Incorporate Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, which creates the signature cheesy sauce texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for color and freshness, then serve the cheesy hamburger helper hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in 2 tbsp cream cheese when adding the shredded cheddar.
- Swap cheddar for a mix of Colby Jack or mozzarella to vary the cheese flavor and texture.
- Add frozen peas or corn toward the end of cooking for a vegetable boost and extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
