Homemade Cheeseburger Helper is the healthier, homemade version of boxed Hamburger Helper. Creamy, cheesy, 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 apartments. The girl liked to have the boy over for dinner as often as she could because she liked the boy a lot, but also because she knew what the boy would eat every night if left to his own devices.
See, while the girl liked to cook meals full of fresh veggies and protein (for the most part,) 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 painless 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.
And the boy LOVED IT. And guess what? The girl did too!
Ok. The jig is up. The boy is my husband Ben, and the girl is me. ;) The entire story is true, including the part where my husband inhales his bowl of Cheeseburger Macaroni anytime I make it.
Not only is this meal inexpensive, but it’s made in one pot with fridge and pantry staples.
SUCH a winning recipe — you’ve got to give it a try!
Start by browning 1lb ground beef then drain and return it to the skillet.
Next, sprinkle in a rainbow of seasonings and thickeners, including paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cornstarch.
Add water and skim milk then stir to combine.
Lastly add any short cut pasta. I usually use elbow macaroni. The pasta you see here is mini penne. They both work great!
Stir everything together, place a lid on top of the pot, then simmer until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finally, stir in sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. That’s it!
This meal is the ultimate in comfort food, shockingly easy to prepare, and so darn good. Enjoy!
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 shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat then drain and return to the skillet. Add cornstarch, seasonings, hot water, milk, and pasta then stir to combine and bring the liquid to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium then place a lid on top and simmer until the pasta is al dente, stirring a few times.
- Turn off the heat then add the cheddar cheese and stir until smooth and creamy. Let the dish stand for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I cannot WAIT to make this!! My boyfriend is OBSESSED with hamburger helper and he’s been doing so well giving it up. I can’t wait to surprise him with a healthy version of his favorite boxed meal :)
And Dustin would totally say kale chips taste like burnt leaves, too.
brilliant!! I used to enjoy having lazy meals with the Helper but found it disgusting what all came with it. Cannot WAIT to make this!!
Made it- it is DELICIOUS!! Really tastes spot on but you don’t feel guilty :)
I used to love hamburger helper until I was confused by the ingredient list. I really want to try this out!
I am lucky to find any kale is seems, let alone precut! I love kale but when I made the chips, I got “burnt leaves”. Maybe I cooked too long(same as your recipe), maybe they dont work with purple kale which was all I had at the time.
Kristin, am I remembering right that you had a recipe or two for chocolate sheet cake? I can’t seem to find one. The lemon bluberry muffin top cookies were delicious, the staff at my children’s schools loved them too!
You bet! The Pioneer woman’s sheet cake is unnnbelievale! http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/the_best_chocol/
Thank you, thank you, thank you! That was the one I was planning on making. I made Texas/chocolate sheet cake numerous times growing up but haven’t made it for a while. We are headed to my husband’s grandparents tomorrow and his grandma just had a birthday so will be celebrating with this cake. I just cut it up and it is delicious. I’m sure this is probably the same recipe I made growing up. Didn’t you have a cake recipe also that was Ben’s grandmas maybe? Again, thanks as always for sharing your recipes. We have never had the hamburger helper, but my kids will love this dish! Adding it to next week’s menu plan! Have a great weekend!
I do – it’s Ben’s late Grandma’s recipe. :) Hope you enjoy the dish!
you won’t regret it :) just the right added “zing”
As the “boy” who was feeding the “girl” still love the commentary. The added bonus is my son only knows this version, not the box. Bonus addition of a couple squirts of ketchup and yellow mustard into the mix completes the “cheeseburger”. Pitching him the kale “chips” soon
I SO wanted to do that, but my “boy” hates mustard. I’m going to try that sometime when he’s out of town or something… ;)
Disodium guanylate is a flavor enhancer made from dried fish and seaweed. It is a common additive to not only box dinners and soup mixes, but it is also used in many spices and flavorings. Read the label of your onion powder and garlic salt; I’ll bet it’s in there, too.
It’s not – I checked! It’s also synonymous with MSG, which we don’t like to knowingly eat.
I love kale chips! I usually just add olive oil and sea salt while they’re in the colander so I don’t have to use a plastic bag. Best fake junk food ever!
My boyfriend likes to make something similar to this. We also put in green peppers and a drained can of stewed tomatoes. It adds some extra deliciousness! I agree this dinner is definitely a quick and easy, yummy staple.
Ps kale chips.. Will have to try these!
Yes yes yes!
I love kale chips. :)
um my “boy” would love me if I made this!
Mike had the same response as Ben. And I think I had the same response as you did when I saw Kale on sale at HyVee a couple of weeks ago. Will need to watch for them again as those babies rocked!