Anyone who grew up eating Hamburger Helper will love the recipe below. It has all the nostalgic flavor of the original but relies entirely on real ingredients with no fillers or shortcuts. Don't worry, busy moms — it still manages to be super easy to throw together on a weeknight!
For that rare breed who has never tried Hamburger Helper before, it's essentially noodles with spices that you add to ground beef. This version combines the beef with spices, a touch of tomato and lots of gooey cheddar cheese for a super-saucy skillet meal to please even the pickiest of palates.
Homemade 'Hamburger Helper'
6
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cups dry macaroni
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon mustard
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add half of the olive oil and the beef. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned on all sides.
Remove the beef from the skillet, drain and set aside. Add the remaining oil and the onion. Sauté until soft and slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika and tomato paste, and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the macaroni, broth, water, milk and mustard to the pan. Return the cooked beef to the pan. Sprinkle the cornstarch over it and stir everything to combine.
Cover with a lid, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked.
Add the cheese and stir until melted. Remove from the heat and let stand about 10 minutes before serving, or until the sauce thickens.