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.
My kids gobble up Hamburger Helper, but up until the middle of last year, I stopped making it for them. I just couldn’t get over all the additives, etc. I’m so glad you posted this recipe. I made it tonight, and it was enjoyed by all. Super quick, super easy and super tasty! I used lean ground beef and reduced fat cheddar cheese. Next time, I’ll make it with ground turkey for an even healthier meal!
I made it for dinner last night and it was awesome! I love easy recipes! Thanks!
I just made this pasta for dinner. It’s delicious!
BUT – how in the world do you get your meat to brown so perfectly and neatly? Mine looks like a total mess! The pieces are all different sizes/colors, etc. Good thing I’m not blogging about my food :)
Thanks for all the great recipes!
I use a potato masher like this one! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004OCL9/ref=asc_df_B00004OCL91879851?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B00004OCL9
Kale chips are the BEST. My husband makes them perfect and loves them too.
Ok I feel silly… I read this the other day and thought you baked it… So ignore most of my comment above haha. Revised question: would there be any way to cook this ahead of time?
You could probably cook it the day before, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be as creamy. You could save time by combining the cornstarch and spices the day before though!
Thank you! I made this last night and it was amazing! I took it to a pot luck for our church group and everyone kept asking if it was boxed or homemade! I told everyone over and over again it was homemade, but it tasted so good they didn’t believe me! I used mini piccolini from Barilla and it was the perfect size and shape. The only thing I did in advance (because I didn’t see your comment until is was too late) was brown the ground beef until it was about 95% cooked then reheated/ finished cooking it the next day and it turned out perfect! This was such a simple and yummy dish… thank you so much for the recipe! I look forward to your daily posts!
How would I do this if I needed to make it a day in advance? Would it get soggy if I mixed everything together and cooked it the next day, or should I go ahead and cook it then re heat it then next day? Sorry if this sounds confusing!! Thank you!
Ben sounds exactly like my fiance! I make kale chips all the time and he LOVES them – but I also add a ton of garlic powder to them, which I think is why he eats them. We’ll both eat pretty much anything loaded with garlic!
When do you put in the cornstarch?
Sorry! You put it in with the seasonings. I fixed the recipe too. Thanks for pointing that out!
Thanks for letting me know. I added it after with the chesse and I don’t think it was as “held together” (if you know what I mean) as it should have been.
Just popped my kale into the oven & waiting (impatiently) for it to turn into “kale chips”! I was not planning on having these with my lunch but the bag of pre-cut kale screamed my name while at Hy-Vee this morning.
I made this last night for my family, big hit! Thanks!
I’ve never made kale chips but have always wanted to! I think Ryan would totes be down for trying them if I served them with a side of cheeseburger mac!
Omg just ate dinner and this was soooooooo good! And the kale chips? Giiiiiiirrrrrlllll don’t get me started. These were so flippin good. My husband and I devoured them! So making these on a weekly basis. Quick question tho…do you lose some of the nutritional value when you cook the kale? Just curios.
I tried to find the answer to that, with no avail. I suppose eating it baked is healthier than not eating it at all, though?! :)
My daughter and I are making Kale chips right now!!!!