Homemade Cheeseburger Helper is the healthier, homemade version of boxed Hamburger Helper. Creamy, cheesy, quick and easy!
Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl who moved to Minneapolis after college to whoop it up for a few years before settling down into adulthood – or whatever it is they call being a middle-twenties-something.
The boy and the girl were dating, but lived in separate places. The girl liked to have the boy over for dinner as often as possible because she liked him a lot, and also because she knew what the boy would eat each night if left to his own devices.
See, the boy had a weakness for boxed dinners that called for a pound of hamburger to “help” them along.
The meals were quick, cheap, and easy to prepare, but loaded with salt and weird ingredients.
“Disodium guanylate?” The girl once asked the boy, after looking at the ingredient list.
“I think that just means ‘extra delicious’.” The boy replied.
The boy and the girl ended up getting married and moving back to Iowa a few years later and, while they’ve been eating well ever since, he occasionally likes to think of the boxed dinners from his bachelor days and drool a little.
More in love with the boy than ever, the girl offered to whip up a homemade version of his favorite “flavor” – Cheeseburger Macaroni.
Watch How to Make It
The boy LOVED IT, and guess what? The girl did too!
Ok – the jig is up. The boy is my husband, and the girl is me. ;) This entire story is true, including the part where my husband inhales his bowl of Homemade Cheeseburger Helper anytime I make it!
Not only is this meal inexpensive, but it’s made in one pot with fridge and pantry staples. It’s SUCH a winner – you’ve just got to try it!
How to Make this Recipe
Start by browning ground beef in a large skillet with high sides and a lid over medium-high heat. Drain the beef if necessary then return it to the skillet.
Sprinkle in seasonings including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, plus a dash of cornstarch, then stir to coat the beef.
Add hot water from the tap, plus milk, and dry elbow macaroni noodles then stir to combine and bring the liquid to a simmer – NOT a boil.
Place a lid on top of the skillet then turn the heat down to medium or medium-low and gently simmer until the pasta is al dente, ~10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Turn off the heat then add freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Eat your heart out, box mix!
This meal is the ultimate in comfort food, shockingly easy to prepare, and so darn good. I hope you love every single bite. Enjoy!
More Simple Dinner Winners
- Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
- Cheesy Cicken Burrito Skillet
- Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper
- One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 cups milk, any kind
- 1-1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni, or other small pasta
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Heat a large skillet with high sides and a lid over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef then brown, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain the beef if necessary then return it to the skillet.
- To the skillet add the cornstarch, seasonings, hot water, milk, and pasta then stir to combine and bring the liquid to a simmer – NOT a boil. Place a lid on top, turn the heat down to medium/medium-low, then gently simmer until the pasta is al dente, 8-10 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
- Turn off the heat then add the cheese and stir until smooth and creamy. Let the dish cool for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly thickened, then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Ahh! My husband & I were talking about when we were first married and had “H. Helper” a few too many times while in a bind. Why does it taste so good? I’m happy to say we haven’t had it in at least 3.5 years… and now I’m happy to know that there’s a delicious alternative that is virtually additive free!
OK so making this for tomorrows dinner. Already got my ground turkey in the fridge waiting to be cooked up. Seriously, you have been feeding my family for the last month….keep the recipes acomin!
The cheeseburger macaroni looks great! I am definitely going to try it soon.
I’m hoping for another funny episode of The Office tonight, too! Still, it’s definitely not as funny as it used to be.
Too funny! And very ironic that my husband called to remind me to take some “hamburger” out of the freezer so he can “help” himself to a “delicious” meal while I spend all day Saturday at work. Silly boys.
sometimes i swear we are married to the same person! i could sub my hubby in for ben in all of your husband, food related stories and they would be perfectly accurate!
Um…this is the best idea EVER!!! Your hubby is JUST like mine. He loves that exact flavor of Hamburger Helper – but each time I buy it and make it (which is too often) I feel guilty about what I’m putting into his body and my two girls’ bodies too. Why haven’t I done this before??!? By the way – that’s the same pasta the actual “box” uses as well. ;) Totally doing this tomorrow.
i’ll have to agree with ben on the kale chips
Ya’ll sound just like me and my boyfriend. We are still in the live in separate apartments yet I do whatever I can to get him over for dinner as much as I can :) This looks so wonderful, and I LOVE kale chips too!!
Wow! I can’t wait to try that homemade hamburger helper! So easy!
haha Ben’s comment sounds just like something my Joe would say. Ben sounds like such a nice guy-good find.
That’s hilarious! Your boy-girl story sounds just like mine did. I can’t believe my hubbie used to eat like that all.the.time! Anyways this version sounds great. Nothing beats a homemade copy cat meal.
Hah you crack me up IGE. But UGH that recipe looks good – and you convinced me, I’m going to have to try making kale chips now. I am obsessed with roasted brussel sprouts and the itsy bitsy pieces that fall off and become chip-like. I bet kale is even better!!
I love that Ben described kale chips as burnt leaves! Hilarious! I am lucky that my husband’s love for kale chips equals (or is possibly even slightly greater) than my own. :)