Homemade Hamburger Helper
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
10 servings
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Calories
394 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Description
This Homemade Hamburger Helper features lean ground beef browned and cooked with diced onions before combining with elbow macaroni, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and a mix of seasonings including Italian herbs, garlic, onion, and chili powder. The mixture simmers gently to allow the pasta to cook through while absorbing the flavorful sauce. Greek yogurt adds creaminess without thinning the sauce, followed by sharp cheddar cheese melted into the dish for a cheesy finish.
The sauce has a comforting balance of tomato acidity, savory beef, and herbaceous notes, with the creamy texture provided by cheese and yogurt complementing the tender pasta and meat. The dish is easy to prepare in one pot and serves as a filling meal.
Optional additional cheddar can be sprinkled on top before serving for extra cheese richness. The use of reduced-sodium broth can control saltiness, and different lean ground proteins or pasta shapes may be substituted with cooking time adjustments. Maintaining a gentle simmer prevents drying the pasta out and ensures a saucy consistency.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef lean
- 1 cup onion finely diced, yellow or white
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni dry
- 3 cups beef broth or chicken broth
- 28 ounce crushed tomato canned
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt plain, nonfat
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder dried
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- salt
- black pepper
- 2 cups cheddar cheese plus extra for topping, shredded sharp
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add beef, and cook until browned.
- Drain ground beef, and return to skillet.
- Stir in onion, and, stirring regularly, cook until just softened, about 3 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and stir to combine.
- Bring to simmer, and reduce heat to medium-low. You want the mixture to simmer gently, not boil.
- Cook for about 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed but mixture is still saucy. At this point, the pasta should be al dente.
- Stir in cheese.
- Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired.
- Remove from heat, and serve.
Notes
- Use 85-90% lean ground beef; ground turkey or chicken can be substituted.
- Adjust pasta cooking time if using different pasta shapes for best texture.
- Reduced-sodium broth helps control saltiness in the dish.
- Greek yogurt or sour cream adds creaminess without thinning the sauce like milk would.
- Cheddar variants such as mild or extra sharp can be used depending on preference.
- Maintain a gentle simmer to keep the pasta saucy and avoid drying out.
- A large Dutch oven or equivalent pot (5 quart or larger) works best for even cooking.
- A sprinkle of fresh parsley can brighten the finished dish, though it's optional.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 394 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 394kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 392mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 651mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 525IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 9.9mg | 11% |
| Calcium | 213mg | 21% |
| Iron | 3.8mg | 21% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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