This Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper is a classic comfort food, but homemade and tastes way better. Forget the boxed version and make your own with just a few ingredients and ready in only 30 minutes.
Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper Recipe
When I was in college I used to live on Hamburger Helper. It was my go to meal because it was easy and quick to make. Since then I’ve made many of my own version of Hamburger Helper, but a lot better because I control the ingredients that go in it without sacrificing any flavour. In fact, my version is 100 times better than the boxed version, plus better for you.
This version is the cheeseburger kind loaded with lots of ground beef and cheese. It’s such a family favorite, and in only 30 minutes, you can whip this up any night of the week. Trust me, everyone will be running to the table for this.
This homemade version is the healthier version of the popular boxed kind. There are a few things I love about this recipe: how easy it is to make and no fancy ingredients. It’s a one-pan dinner making for less cleanup and it’s comforting and delicious.
Ingredients You Need For Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Here is what you’ll need to make this simple recipe. Be sure to scroll down for complete printable recipe.
- Olive oil – just a bit to sauté the onion in.
- Onion – one large onion for lots of flavour.
- Ground beef – I usually use the extra lean kind, but if you don’t have extra lean, you might have to drain some of the fat off.
- Elbow macaroni – or any other pasta such as shells. I love using shells because the meat sauce gets inside each and every shell.
- Chicken broth and milk – I prefer to use low sodium broth, you can also use beef broth. I use milk to make the sauce creamier.
- Spices – such as chili powder, dried oregano, garlic powder and some salt and pepper.
- Cornstarch – we just need a little bit to thicken the sauce.
- Cheddar cheese – lots of it, you can even mix it with some Monterey Jack.
How To Make Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Making homemade hamburger helper is super easy. Here’s the kicker, you can do it all in one pot in 30 minutes or less!
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion and cook for 5 minutes or until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the ground beef and brown for 3 minutes, or until it’s no longer pink. Stir in the cornstarch, then the spices. Add the pasta, chicken broth and milk. Stir everything together.
Continue to cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked through, making sure to stir occasionally so that the pasta doesn’t stick. Most of the liquid should be absorbed. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
Stir in half the cheddar cheese and top with remaining cheese. Cover with lid and cook for 1 minute over low heat until the cheese melts.
For serving you can garnish it with green onions and chopped tomatoes or just parsley.
What To Serve With Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
For sides, you can make a cucumber, red onion, parsley and tomato salad along with garlic bread. Or serve with a green side salad!
You can even serve it along some steamed veggies like broccoli, or broccolini, or even green beans.
How To Store Leftover Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Leftovers heat up great the next day. Make sure the hamburger helper has come to room temperature completely before proceeding. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Can You Freeze Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper?
Yes, hamburger helper is a great food to freeze for future meals. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
The Beauty Of This Dish – One Pot 30 Minutes
This is one of those dishes that my cookbook is all about. Fast meals, delicious, comforting, all in one pot and in 30 minutes or less!
- Less cleanup!
- Tons of flavour!
- Lots of cheesy goodness!
- A dish your family will love!
- Ingredients you likely already have in your pantry!
Try Out These Other 30 Minute One Pot Meals:
- Creamy Parmesan Orzo with Chicken and Asparagus
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Potato Soup
- Italian Style Hamburger Steak
Craving More? Follow Along:
Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 pound ground beef extra lean
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 12 ounce macaroni uncooked, or any other pasta such as shells
- 3 cups chicken broth low sodium or beef broth
- 2 cup milk
- 12 ounce cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tablespoon parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Add the ground beef and brown for 3 minutes, or until it’s no longer pink.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch all over then the rest of the seasonings and stir.
- Add macaroni or pasta of your choice, chicken broth and milk. Stir everything together.
- Continue to cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the macaroni is cooked through. Make sure to stir occasionally to avoid sticking. Most of the liquid should be absorbed after 10 or 12 minutes and the pasta cooked al dente. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Stir in half the cheddar cheese and top with remaining cheese. Cover with lid and cook for 1 minute over low heat until the cheese melts.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Kris Marie says
Very tasty but my liquid didn’t evaporate completely which I wanted it to do. Next time I’m going to use half heavy cream, half milk.
Kris Marie says
Hi Jo! This looks delicious, do I just add the uncooked pasta? Thank you.
Joanna Cismaru says
Yes, uncooked pasta.
Jane Orr says
Your blog is amazing!! I am always looking for new recipes or new ways of making classics so I have seen a LOT of blogs, you win the prize. Beautiful photos, recipes that actually make sense!! Recipes are to the point! The way some are written now with all that, “meanwhile” stuff, it’s not a book! I’m venting but it makes me crazy
Anyway, thanks for doing this. I am subscribed and plan on trying many of your creations.
Jane
Joanna Cismaru says
Thank you, Jane! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Kathleen says
Absolutely wonderful!
Amanda says
Is there a reason you use cornstarch instead of flour?
Ana Maria Jinga says
Hi Amanda,
Yes, there are a few reasons. The cornstarch helps the sauce stay shiny and glossy, while flour clouds it up, and while flour helps the sauce thicken, cornstarch instead has twice as much thickening power than any flour, so for the desired thickness, you would have to use twice as much flour than cornstarch. Also, unlike flour, cornstarch has no taste, so it won’t add any extra flavor to your sauce.
Hope this helps!
Lisa says
Good and came together quick, would make again, husband approved!
Ana Maria Jinga says
We just love it when they approve too! So glad you both enjoyed it 🙂
kimberly heeg says
Would the chili powder make it super hot and spicy? Just thinking of my kids tolerance levels.
Joanna Cismaru says
Depends on the chili powder, there are some that are mild and some that are very spicy, so it depends on which one you bought. I would taste first, a bit on the tip of your finger and see how you feel about it, then you can use more or less.
Heather says
If I don’t have milk but have half and half do you think that’ll still work?
Joanna Cismaru says
For sure!
Mandy says
Can I use ground turkey and if so do I need to cook any differently?
Craving Home Cooked Team says
You can of course! The cook time will vary if you’re using turkey as opposed to beef.
Tracy says
This sounds amazing! I’m going to give it a go in my instapot but with only half the stock.
Kee A says
This was delicious! So easy. Yet so addicting! My only mistake was seasoning the ground beef, not the pasta itself. Also, the second and third day leftovers almost tasted better than than the initial meal! I couldn’t stop eating it straight out the fridge. Another weekday meal for the books. Thanks Jo!
Aleema says
So you don’t have to cook the pasta at all? Just kinda throw it in there??
Joanna Cismaru says
Exactly, it’ll cook in the sauce together with everything.
Monique says
Does the pasta have to be raw when you put it in with the meat? Or should it be precooked?
Joanna Cismaru says
Uncooked, otherwise you’ll end up with too much liquid. Uncooked pasta will soak all the liquid as it cooks. 🙂
Rosa says
Loved this recipe!! I want to make it again but I don’t have cheddar cheese….I have white american, will this work?
Btw….I love all your recipes.
Thanks,
Rosa
Joanna Cismaru says
Not the slices one, but if it’s shredded it might work.
Nicholas S. says
Easy and delicious! Will most definitely make again!
Joanna Cismaru says
So glad you enjoyed it!