My easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe with cheesy pasta and tomato sauce is ready in 30 minutes and so good you’ll never go back to the box.
As a newlywed, mac and cheese and Hamburger Helper™ were favorites of my husband and mine. The combination of pasta, hamburger, cheese, and sauce was an easy, comforting, weeknight fave. But when I struggled to pronounce half the ingredients listed on the label the boxed version went by the wayside. That’s when I started making my homemade version of Hamburger Helper from scratch. This Hamburger Helper fits the bill when you’re craving something hearty, beefy, and cozy. The noodles are cooked directly in the sauce to soak up all the rich, beefy tomato flavor. To make it extra cheesy, I add a simple cheese roux, giving it that classic cheeseburger taste everyone loves. If you’re a fan of my Mom’s spaghetti and meat sauce, homemade sloppy joe’s, and shepherd’s pie, it’s time to add this cheesy, flavor-filled Hamburger Helper to your favorites list.
Why You’ll Love It
- This homemade Hamburger Helper takes 30 minutes to make
- It’s made with real ingredients and full of comfort food flavor
- This dish is hearty on its own but you could serve it up with a simple salad or some veggies
What’s in The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper
While this dish is homemade, it takes pretty much the same amount of time as using the boxed version. But it’s SO. MUCH. BETTER!
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Olive oil—for sautéing the onion
- Lean ground beef—85% lean ground beef for the best texture and flavor without a lot of extra grease
- Yellow onion—chopped red onion or shallots are good substitutes
- Chicken or beef broth—this is the foundation of our savory sauce
- Water–this helps with the saucy consistency
- Ketchup—for a sweet tomato flavor
- Tomato paste—adds umami and builds a flavorful, robust sauce
- Garlic powder—for savory, umami flavor
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—for seasoning
- Rotini—or try elbow or shell macaroni
- Butter–this is needed to make our roux for the cheese sauce
- Flour–helps thicken our cheese sauce
- Milk–you could also use half and half to make it a bit richer
- Cheddar cheese–essential for making our cheesy sauce (choose one that’s at least medium in flavor versus mild or a simple American, giving this dish its real cheese flavor)
Find the complete recipe with measurements below
How to Make The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper
This recipe comes together quickly and easily. Here’s how to make it:
- Brown your beef. Then add in the onions and cook until softened.
- Build that umami base. Add broth, water, ketchup, tomato paste, garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Cook your noodles. Bring the beef mixture a boil, add the noodles, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes.
Say Cheeseburger!
- Make the cheesy sauce. In a separate saucepan, make the cheese sauce using the milk, butter, flour, and shredded cheddar.
- Mix it all together. Pour the cheese sauce into the hamburger mixture and stir to combine.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Make the sauce less sweet. Swap the amounts of tomato paste with that of the ketchup for a sauce that’s not quite as sweet. You may need to add a bit more broth or water to taste and for consistency.
- Mix up your meat. Try swapping the ground beef for ground turkey, or ground pork
- Noodle around. We typically use rotini noodles, but elbows, penne, shells, ziti, rigatoni, or another short-tubed pasta works well. Choose a noodle where the cheese sauce and burger can hide in each bite.
- Add some veggies. Adding sliced cremini mushrooms, bell pepper, frozen peas, or corn would be great additions. Spinach would also be a great addition, but wait until you’re near the end of the cooking time before adding it so it doesn’t overcook.
- Spice is nice. A dash of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chopped jalapeño, or roasted chiles would bring a punch of heat. You could also top with fresh basil or chives for extra color and flavor.
- Try a different cheese. Monterrey Jack, pepperjack, havarti, a smoky cheddar, or even American cheese would all work great here.
FAQ and Recipe Tips
- How do you make Hamburger Helper better? Using real ingredients and good quality meat. These are simple ingredients, so make ’em count.
- For the healthiest homemade Hamburger Helper, I recommend using ground turkey and adding veggies. Mushrooms, spinach (or kale), and maybe some bell pepper would be my picks, but any of the veggies I mentioned above would be delish. Feel free to use a gluten-free pasta or less pasta as well, if desired (just note if you use less pasta you’ll have a saucier Hamburger Helper).
- Leftovers will keep stored in the fridge for about 4 days, or stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Make Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper
To make this Hamburger Helper gluten-free, substitute corn starch for the flour, and try gluten-free or quinoa noodles.
What to Serve with Hamburger Helper
- THE BEST Garlic Bread
- The Best Roasted Asparagus
- Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons
- Easy 5-Minute Zucchini Parmesan
- Kale Salad with Parmesan and Pine Nuts
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a 
rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground 85 percent lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion , chopped
- 2 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 ½ cups dry rotini noodles
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups medium cheddar cheese , shredded
- fresh parsley , for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef. Break into chunks with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes.
- Add onion and cook for another 5 minutes or until beef is cooked through and onion is softened.
- Add broth, water, ketchup, tomato paste, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Add macaroni and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until macaroni is al dente and liquid has reduced.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in another pan over medium-high heat. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes or until flour is cooked through. Add milk and whisk until smooth. Cook until sauce begins to thicken, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add cheese sauce to hamburger and noodle mixture and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Mac and Cheese Recipes You’ll Love
- The Best Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
- Stovetop Pesto Macaroni and Cheese
- Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Divan Mac and Cheese
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Kelli
Silly question but can I just use a pound of pasta or do I need to measure out 2 1/2 cups of dry pasta?
Lydia
Brilliant!! The cheese sauce is amazing – other homemade recipes just tell you to toss the cheese in. Many thanks!!!!!!!
Sam
Made this twice already! My husband loves it. I add a little bit more seasoning to my taste, but it’s perfect other than that. I’m going to experiment next time and try to reduce the calories.
Amanda Wilson
I’ll admit to having a soft spot for Hamburger Helper. Childhood nostalgia, for sure, because my mother made it fairly frequently when I was growing up. This version tastes like the boxed stuff, but in a good way, and it’s better! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Kellie
I made this today. It was very easy. It was very good and my husband loved it. I liked the taste, however mine seemed to taste really sweet. Anyone have any thoughts? I am thinking it was the ketchup (not a fan of ketchup). Any other suggestions besides ketchup?
Thanks for sharing your recipe. It’s nice to have options besides boxed food :)
Mia
Kellie, I had the same problem. I think next time I make it I will try just plain tomato sauce from a can so there’s no added sugar.
Meme
Agree add tomato sauce, garlic, wostershire , and Dijon instead
Brittany
Mine was very sweet too. Maybe from the ketchup.
Dana
Mine was way too sweet also. I had to use a combination of mild cheddar and Colby Jack cheese, as it was all I had. I would not suggest that. We ended up having to crush Corn Chips on top just to get it down. On a positive note, the kids ate all the green beans on their plates!
So glad you liked it! You could try plain tomato sauce to add the tomato flavor, but it will be less sweet.
Christina
This was DELICIOUS! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out
Steph from Girl Vs Dough posted that she was making this on IG today and I had to immediately come over and pin this – I can guarantee this will be dinner later this week! Craving!
Darcy
I was looking for something that the whole family would like (including out two picky boys aged 8 & 12, and this recipe hit the mark! I already had all these ingredients on hand so it was pretty easy to throw together. It was really yummy! We our definitely going to add this our rotation! Yummy!
Darcy, I’m so glad you liked it! The girls I served it to were over the moon too. Easy, tasty, boom.
Barbara J
Simple, easy, & delicious! Even though I only had almond milk, it still turned out great!
Jamie
Great recipe! My cheese sauce turned out a little sticky. I think I let it cook too long. Great flavor and very easy. Will make again.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
Oh girl, just printed this, it’s on tonight!
Elise
Yum! Perfect for a cold, snowy winter night. Comfort food at its best. I added some diced celery and carrots for a bit of extra flavor and veggies. Yummy! Thanks for a great recipe!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic
Making this for my little one tonight. Looks great
Tieghan
Whenever my oldest brother is in town I make a a recipe so similar to this. It is his all time favorite! Homemade is always better! :)
Kate
All I could think when I saw that second picture is “Dat. SAUCE.” Oh man. This looks amazing and totally boy-friendly. I made my fiance eat beets in a cupcake the other day. I owe him this dish.
Christina Main // Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe
TOTALLY just pinned this. This was a total childhood staple growing up!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
This brings back so many childhood memories of cheesy cheeseburger mac goodness. I’m getting all warm and fuzzy (and hungry) just thinking about it. What I’m trying to say is… this is so happening for dinner this week.
cassie
I grew up on Hamburger Helper. I adore this, Heidi!
steph@stephsbitebybite
This is so incredible! I need to make this ASAP
Adrienne k
I make something similar but with less cheese and I like to add bell peppers and peas! Yes to the onions and mushrooms.
Belinda@themoonblushbaker
As terrible as it sounds my parents never had the time to cook me mac and cheese as a kid, so the box kind (chicken flavour) was the thing they prepared with questionable results. Who would think getting the right amount of water was so hard in mac and cheese?
I am simply in love with the cheese factor if this pasta; Friday night meal with great picking potential
Janet
Honestly when you first get married who has any money?! A 99 cent box of hamburger Helper is wonderful but then you become educated as you mature. Hopefully you learn about creating homemade foods instead of buying processed foods. This looks delicious and oh so comforting. Thanks for the recipe.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
My cousins husband is obsessed with HH and always asks me for a homemade version!! Emailing this to her now!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit
As a kid we NEVER had boxed mac and cheese. So obviously, as a teen I went ape for it. Now, I have a nostalgic fondness for it. And this looks right up my nostalgia-alley.
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps
My hubs is still kind of obsessed with Hamburger Helper, and if I’m being totally honest, it’s one of my super secret guilty pleasures (along with those Lipton pasta sides). So everyyyy once in a while, I’ll pick up a box, but I have got to try this from-scratch version, still so cheesy and creamy!