Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper
A quick and hearty dish featuring tender pasta, creamy cheddar sauce, and ground beef, perfect for busy weeknights.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550kcal
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni Can substitute with other short pasta
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 0.5 yellow onion diced
- 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream For a lighter version, use part-skim mozzarella
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Shred your own for extra meltiness
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add elbow macaroni, and cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Browning the Beef
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Add minced garlic during the last 30 seconds of cooking and drain any excess grease.
Building the Sauce
- Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Stir in tomato sauce, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Simmer on medium heat, stirring frequently until cheese melts and sauce is creamy.
Combining
- Add the drained macaroni back into the skillet and stir until sauce fully coats the noodles and beef is evenly distributed.
Serving
- Remove from heat and let mixture rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Spoon into bowls and enjoy.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or top with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of milk or cream.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 800mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g