Homemade Hamburger Helper
This easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe has ground beef, macaroni, and a flavorful cheesy cheddar sauce! It's total comfort food that's inexpensive and ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lblean ground beef
- 0.5 mediumOnion, chopped
- 2heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 0.5 tspGarlic Powder
- 0.5 tspChili Powder
- 3 cupBeef Broth
- 1 cupuncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cupCheddar Cheese, freshly grated
- Salt & pepper ( ), to taste
Instructions
- 1
Reduce the heat so it's not furiously boiling (a rapid simmer is good). I cook mine over medium heat. Let it cook uncovered until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 13-15 minutes). I stir it every couple of minutes.
- 2
While it's cooking, grate the cheese (this saves prep time at the start of the recipe).
- 3
Take the pot off the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt & pepper as needed. I let it sit for a couple minutes prior to serving (soaks up the sauce and flavors more), but you can serve it right away.
- 4
Add the beef and onions to a soup pot. Cook over medium-high heat until the beef has browned (about 7-10 minutes), breaking the meat up with your spoon as you go along. If there's a lot of excess fat, spoon most of it out.
- 5
Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- 6
Add in the beef broth and increase the heat to high. Once it starts boiling, add in the macaroni.