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Craving a cozy, cheesy dinner that brings back all the nostalgic vibes, but made with ingredients you can actually feel good about? This homemade hamburger helper comes together in one skillet, sneaks in veggies the kids won’t even notice, and is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s one of my go-to weeknight dinners when things feel a little chaotic and everyone’s hungry now.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper
The first time I tested this recipe, the magic happened when I grabbed a microplane and shredded zucchini and carrot straight into the skillet. They melt seamlessly into the creamy sauce. No extra steps, no veggie resistance from tiny critics. That simple switch was the game changer that made this version a keeper.
You’ll love it because:
- It hits all the comfort-food notes while still using real ingredients. No powdered cheese here. Instead, grass-fed beef, bone broth, and freshly grated cheddar.
- It’s one-pot and quick, which makes it just as easy as the boxed kind, just like my one-pot beef stroganoff, so cleanup is a breeze. Perfect for quick family meals!
- It’s flexible. Sub in turkey, plant-based crumbles, or fold in extra veggies like spinach, similar to my hidden veggie mac and cheese.
Need other simple ground beef recipes? Try my Sloppy Joe Casserole.
Watch a Short Video of This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Olive oil: For browning the meat and adding richness.
- Onion: Adds a natural sweetness and depth to the base.
- Lean ground beef: Classic choice, but turkey or plant-based swaps work just as well.
- Spices: A mix of sea salt, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper to recreate that nostalgic boxed flavor.
- Tomato paste: Adds umami without needing a long simmer.
- Grated carrot & zucchini: They melt into the sauce! Nutrients without the fuss.
- Bone broth: Adds flavor, protein, and collagen; use beef or even chicken broth.
- Short gluten-free pasta: Elbows keep it classic, but any small shape will do.
- Freshly grated cheddar: Melts smoother than pre-shredded for extra-cheesy pasta dishes.
How To Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade hamburger helper is a 30-minute, one-pot dinner featuring ground beef, elbow pasta, and a creamy cheddar sauce with grated carrot and zucchini tucked inside.
Step 1: Warm olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add onion, ground beef, salt, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Cook 7-9 minutes, breaking up the meat, until mostly browned.
Step 3: Stir in tomato paste, grated carrot, and zucchini. Cook 1 minute to bloom flavors.
Step 4: Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add pasta and cook uncovered 9-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender. Add a splash more broth if the pan looks dry.
Step 5: Reduce heat to low. Fold in cheddar until sauce is creamy and coats the pasta.
Step 6: Taste and season. Serve hot with chopped parsley or extra cheese if you like.
Expert Tips
- Watery sauce? Let it simmer 2 more minutes before adding cheese or stir in 1 tsp tapioca starch.
- Mushy pasta? Use a brand labeled “al dente in 7 minutes” and test early.
- Grainy cheese? Always go with freshly grated cheese and lower the heat before mixing it in.
- Want more veggies? Add finely chopped mushrooms or bell pepper when you sauté the onion.
Storage & Meal-Prep Tips
- Fridge: Keeps well for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth over low heat.
- Freezer: Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat slowly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles work with the same cook time.
Let the pasta absorb most of the liquid first, then stir in freshly grated cheddar off the heat.
Totally! Just use gluten-free pasta and a dairy-free cheese alternative.
It absolutely does, and I’d argue it’s even better. The spices and cheddar give it that nostalgic flavor, minus the weird ingredients.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper (One Pot Meal!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- OPTIONAL: 1 carrot, grated
- OPTIONAL: 1 zucchini, grated
- 3 cups bone broth, or beef broth
- 8 oz short pasta, I used gluten free
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.1 tbsp olive oil
- Add onion, ground beef, salt, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Cook stirring breaking up the meat, until mostly browned – about 7-9 minutes.1 medium onion, 1 lb lean ground beef, 1 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Add tomato paste, carrot, and zucchini, and stir for 1 minute.2 tbsp tomato paste, OPTIONAL: 1 carrot, OPTIONAL: 1 zucchini
- Add the broth, then bring a boil. Add the pasta and reduce the heat to gentle boil, then cook uncovered for about 9-10 minutes until the pasta is soft. Stir occasionally. If the liquid evaporates too quickly, you can add a bit more broth or water.3 cups bone broth, 8 oz short pasta
- Lower the heat and stir in cheese. Cook a few more minutes until creamy.2 cups cheddar cheese
- Taste to add more salt or pepper, if needed. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Absolutely easy and delicious! Bravo!
I love how easy this dish came together. I added green bell peppers, a few Indian spices, and spinach along with what this recipe calls for. Thank you Jean for your recipe. I can add this to my recipe book. Much love from Texas 🌻
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
This was delicious!! I doubled it and made the recipe as written and it was a huge hit for the whole family. This will definitely be making it into the weeknight dinner rotation, thank you!
So glad the whole family enjoyed it!!
I’m new to your site and I really appreciate that you add the ingredients to the steps. I don’t have to go back and forth between the ingredients and the instructions. Thank you!
Wonderful! I recently started doing this and I’m glad you find it helpful!
This was exactly what I needed. Perfect for getting through this flu. Thanks!
Hope you feel better soon!
So easy and delicious!
This is so tasty, and my toddler can’t get enough! Thanks for your wonderful recipes!
Thank you so much!!
Delish!
I love, love, love this recipe! I’ve made it twice now. Once with whole wheat shells and once with whole wheat radiatori. Delicious and a great way to sneak those garden zucchini into a meal
Thank you so much!!