This nostalgic Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is filled with tender pasta shells and hearty ground beef in a creamy and cheesy Italian-inspired sauce.
Everything gets cooked in just one pan, making this an easy-breezy weeknight dinner that the whole family will going back for seconds for.
I have fond memories of my dad making us all sorts of Hamburger Helper recipes in my childhood. My mom worked nights and my dad was often left to make us kids a meal – enter the boxed family-favorite.
Hamburger Helper- but make it Homemade!
Now that I’m a parent with kids to feed, I’m always trying to whip up meals that are quick, kid-friendly, and easy to clean up. This recipe checks all the boxes.
Ingredients Needed
Skip the powdered sauce mix from the box and let me show you how simple it is to make Homemade Hamburger Helper with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – lean ground beef or ground turkey will work
- Seasonings – we’re boosting the flavor of this dish with freshly chopped onion, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Try my homemade blend for a fantastic kick!
- Liquids – A mixture of beef broth (low sodium), pasta sauce (your favorite jarred variety or my homemade marinara sauce), and milk (to give the finished dish a nice creamy texture).
- Pasta – we’re using medium shells for this recipe. I love how the shells scoop up little bits of cheesy sauce and ground beef in each spoonful!
- Cheese – use freshly shredded cheddar cheese to give your finished dish a smooth and creamy consistency.
PRO TIP: Don’t have time to shred cheese? Rinse the pre-shredded cheese under cold water in a fine mesh strainer to remove the anti-caking agents before adding the cheese to the pasta.
How To Make Hamburger Helper
Let’s walk through the simple steps of making homemade hamburger helper. This recipe is so easy, my teenage kids can whip it up when my husband and I are going on a date night.
BROWN THE BEEF
Start by browning the ground beef in a large skillet with the diced onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain off any excess fat.
Return the pan to the heat and stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
STIR IN LIQUID
Next, pour in the beef broth, your favorite pasta sauce and a little bit of milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add in the UNCOOKED pasta shells.
PRO TIP: I’m using medium pasta shells, but macaroni or other small pasta shapes will work great.
STIR IN CHEESE
Bring the mixture to a small boil, stirring occasionally (uncovered) as the pasta cooks. It should take 15 to 18 minutes for the pasta to be nice and tender.
Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, stir in the shredded cheese and mix until combined into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
How simple and easy was that?!
Tips and Suggestions
There are so many ways you can customize this recipe to create different flavor profiles or adjustments based on what you have on hand. Get creative with it!
SAUCE – if you don’t have jarred pasta sauce on hand, swap it out with 15oz. of tomato sauce + an extra cup of beef broth. Add more seasonings to enhance the flavor.
MAKE AHEAD – This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a great weeknight meal, but it’s also great for meal prepping. Refrigerate the beef and shells for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
REHEAT – in the microwave or stove top with a splash of milk, beef broth or water to add moisture back to the sauce.
More Hamburger Helper Flavors
Hamburger helper-inspired recipes are a favorite of mine. Over the years I’ve made several based off of different flavors you can find in the grocery store.
- Creamy Beef Stroganoff – filled with egg noodles, ground beef and a creamy mushroom gravy.
- Beefy Chili Mac – twirly noodles, plenty of beef and beans in a cheesy spiced sauce!
- Polka Dot Lasagna – no need to layer here, this lasagna inspired recipe is a breeze to make!
- Philly Cheesesteak – peppers, onions and plenty of ground beef and pasta in a cheesy savoury sauce. YUM!
- Cheeseburger Mac – saucy and beefy noodles with a taste of cheese in every bite.
I can’t wait for you to give this super simple Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe with ground beef and shells a try! I know you’re going to love it.
Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef, lean
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth, low sodium
- 1 cup milk, whole or 2%
- 24 oz pasta sauce, jarred, your favorite flavor
- 10 oz medium pasta shells, uncooked (about 2 ½ cups)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet with high sides along with the onion, over medium-high heat. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat and return skillet to the stove top.
- Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning, cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the beef broth, milk and pasta sauce, bring the mixture to a boil.
- Add in the uncooked pasta shells and stir often, uncovered, until the pasta has absorbed the majority of the liquid and the noodles are tender. This should take about 15 to 18 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded cheese and mix until it's well incorporated with the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
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