Description
Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, cheesy pasta dish with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a rich tomato-cream sauce. It’s an easy, family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 oz small pasta shells or small elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over meat and stir to coat evenly.
- Pour in broth and tomato sauce, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Add Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
- Bring sauce to a gentle boil, then add pasta. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 10–12 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use any small pasta shapes like elbows, shells, or rotini.
- Add vegetables such as peas or bell peppers for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American