This homemade hamburger helper recipe is an easy meal ready in under 30 minutes!
Cheeseburger macaroni is a one pot meal with ground beef and elbow macaroni in an easy cheesy sauce!
This hearty dish is filled with tasty pantry staples! No complicated ingredients.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
This is an easy homemade hamburger helper recipe, perfect for busy weeknights!
- This homemade casserole is a one-pot wonder. The whole dish is made in one skillet for less mess and less cleanup.
- This copycat hamburger helper recipe is made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients.
- Budget-friendly, add extra pasta and sauce to stretch it even further.
- This dinner is just as quick as the boxed version and it’s on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients for Cheeseburger Macaroni
Ground Beef – Choose lean ground beef and drain off any fat after cooking. Substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.
Sauce – The pasta is simmered with seasonings in chicken broth and milk until tender. Beef broth can be substituted, but we find chicken broth to give the best flavor.
Cheese – Once the pasta is tender, stir in the cheese. A bold cheese like sharp cheddar cheese adds the most flavor. Try any kind of cheese, but be sure at least one has a sharp, bold flavor.
Seasonings – Salt, paprika, and pepper are the seasonings of choice for this stove-top casserole. For extra flavor add some hamburger helper to the dish or a package of instant soup.
Variations
- Swap the milk for light cream for extra creaminess or stir in a little sour cream or Greek yogurt before serving for a little tang.
- Change up the seasonings with a tablespoon of tomato paste or 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard.
- Add fresh vegetables like onion, celery, or tomatoes.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
There are a variety of flavors of Hamburger Helper; this version is a copycat cheeseburger macaroni recipe.
- Brown the beef and onion in a large skillet (as per the recipe below).
- Add the uncooked elbow macaroni with the remaining sauce ingredients.
- Bring to a simmer until the macaroni is tender, and stir in cheese.
Serve with a simple and colorful side dish to complement the cheesy, meaty richness. Try steamed brussels sprouts, baked butternut squash, or homemade cornbread.
Storing Leftovers
- This macaroni dish will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and for 1 month in the freezer.
- Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or place in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Easy One Pot Ground Beef Dinners
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ⅔ cup diced yellow onion about 1 medium
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ¾ cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine cornstarch, garlic powder, sugar, salt, paprika, and pepper. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef and onion, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat.
- Add milk, broth, and elbow macaroni to the beef. Stir the cornstarch and spice mixture. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat, and let simmer, covered, for 9-12 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through. Stir the mixture occasionally and, if needed, add more broth or water.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Serve hot.
Notes
- Substitute the onion with 1 teaspoon onion powder if desired.
- Depending on the brand of pasta and the size of the pan, you may need a little bit more or less liquid. Add extra broth or water as needed.
- Add any kind of cheese but ensure you use bold cheese, it’s needed for flavor.
- Remove the skillet from the heat before adding the cheese.
- For a little extra kick, add a dash of hot sauce, or some red pepper flakes.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Beef, Casserole, Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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OH MY G WE INHALED THIS ! It was so good. The closest recipe to hamburger helper but a recipe where you know what’s going into it.
I used milk, water and a spoonful of beef better than boullion.
Will definitely make again!
Just as easy as the stuff in the box and so delicious! I added a little chile powder and some Better than Boullion chicken base. Thank you for the recipe!
You’re welcome! So glad you love this one pot meal!
It was easy and my husband loved it ! I changed it up a little by adding onion soup mix instead of chopped onions just not a fan of onions. And used penne it was all i had for pasta so i had to add a little extra broth and cook time. But it was super easy and delicious thanks!
Sounds delicious, Alexandra! Thanks for sharing those yummy substitutions.
Absolutely delicious! You knocked it out of the park with this one.
Delicious, yet so simple to make.
Thank you!
I added bbq sauce and it kicked it up a level
Thank you for a great recipe! I like that it is so simple and easily adjusted to add other things. I had one small issue, however.
I find it odd/mildly frustrating that this recipe is for 1 1/2 cups of pasta instead of just a whole box (2 cups). Measuring the pasta adds an extra step and leaves me with a 3/4 empty box of pasta that I have to throw in somewhere else or if I add the extra pasta I have to do math (my nemesis)
Did you test this with 2 cups of pasta? Are the ratios for liquid to pasta the same when you add the extra 1/2 lb of pasta – 2:1 liquid to pasta?
Thanks!
If you click the Print button on the recipe card, you can adjust the number of servings on the recipe. Hope that helps!
Had a pasty texture with the cornstarch which didn’t fare well with the family unfortunately.
I’m sorry to hear that your family didn’t love this macaroni as much as mine does Tina. Thanks for trying it.
love all your recipes, thank you!!!
Thank you Sherry!
This was a very easy to make and quick to the table!
This is the best comfort food and none of the guilt of the boxed stuff. Just homemade goodness here. :) Delish!
How much is a serving?
Hi Carrie, each serving is about 1 to 1 ½ cups.
I have made this several times. I make it for my daughter but my whole family loves it. Simple and tasty.
Pinned! Delish! Couldn’t find my older recipe that had the roux mix. Found this and made as written. So much more simple than my old recipe! Only difference was I added a pinch of red pepper for my taste!
Not a fan!! Dry and too much onion.
Sorry to hear that Karen, we have always found this recipe nice and creamy every time we make it.
This was easy when you prep all your ingredients ahead of time. I added American cheese (1 1/2 cups) along with the 2 cups of Sharp Cheddar cheese. Plus, because I used 2 lbs of ground beef, I doubled the dry ingredients of spices. It was delicious!
Those additions sounds delicious Rachel! Thanks for sharing.
Holly I came across your website recently and have tried several of your delicious recipes. Simple, recipes with whole, healthy ingredients Yum! My family has loved each one and this Cheeseburger macaroni casserole is no exception. Thank you so much for sharing! You are awesome!!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so glad you found my site and have enjoyed the recipes!
Delicious, quick, and homemade. Kids loved and so did I!
So happy to hear that! My kids love it too!
Delicious! I’m a hamburger helper fan. I often make this as stated, and times I add an extra ingredient or two. A little dab of sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes are my favorites. Thank you!
We had this for dinner tonight and quickly decided it will be added to our regular rotation. I made it exactly as written and it was so delicious. My picky kids, ages 3 and 7, ate their entire helping without looking up from their bowls. Yum!
PS – this is the fourth recipe from Holly I have made, all of which have been delicious. Thank you!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I a so glad your family liked this recipe! My kids have always loved this one too!
Hey girl!! I’m cooking this tonight for my son and I have chicken stock instead of broth. Should I add a little water to dilute it some?
Chicken stock and broth can be used interchangeably in this recipe Charmain. Enjoy! You can learn more about the difference between stock and broth if you’re interested.
Tried this tonight and it was delicious! Definitely going to make it again! Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome, so glad you love it Becka!