Description
A quick and comforting homemade Hamburger Helper recipe featuring ground beef, macaroni, and a creamy, cheesy sauce seasoned with garlic, onion, and Italian spices. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound 93/7 ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water
- 1½ cups milk
- 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
Pasta
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta
Optional Garnish
- Minced fresh parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain the fat by transferring the beef to a colander set over a bowl.
- Season and Thicken: Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Add the butter and cook while stirring until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour until fully combined, cooking for another minute to activate the thickening.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Pour in the stock and milk and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni pasta. Stir constantly and cook until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, approximately 6 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with minced fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use cornstarch instead of flour to thicken the sauce.
- You can use either beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water based on availability; a combination of beef and chicken stock adds more depth of flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and chili powder for desired spice level.
- Freshly grated cheddar cheese melts better and provides a richer flavor compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
