Description
Indulge in a comforting bowl of Homemade Hamburger Helper, ready in just 30 minutes! This one-pot meal combines tender pasta and savory ground beef enveloped in a rich, creamy tomato and cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, this dish guarantees satisfaction with every bite. Not only is it kid-friendly, but it also provides endless customization options—add vegetables or swap out the protein to suit your family’s tastes. Enjoy quick prep, minimal cleanup, and maximum flavor with this delicious recipe that will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 8 oz small pasta shells (or elbow pasta)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Remove and reserve about 2 tablespoons of grease.
- Lower the heat to medium. Sauté diced onions until soft for about 5 minutes; add minced garlic for the last 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and stir for about a minute. Gradually add beef broth while bringing to a boil.
- Stir in tomato sauce, seasonings, and pasta; bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Add heavy cream and cheddar cheese; stir until smooth. Return ground beef to the mixture and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg