Cheesy and Creamy One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
This one-pot Homemade Hamburger Helper is creamy, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes! With tender pasta, flavorful ground beef, and a rich tomato cheese sauce, it’s the perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Equipment
- large sauté pan with lid
- wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- spatula
- stovetop
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 8 oz small pasta shells or 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 sauté pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Remove from the pan, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.
- Lower heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in the beef broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Pour in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and pasta. Stir to combine. Cover with a lid and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Add extra broth if needed.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Return the cooked beef to the pan and heat for 2–3 minutes more.
- Remove from heat and let rest for a minute to thicken. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Storage: Best served fresh, as pasta absorbs liquid over time. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
Make Double: Easily doubled in a large Dutch oven for a crowd.
Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free pasta and use cornstarch instead of flour. Adjust cooking liquid and time accordingly.
Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess.
Make Double: Easily doubled in a large Dutch oven for a crowd.
Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free pasta and use cornstarch instead of flour. Adjust cooking liquid and time accordingly.