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One-Pot Creamy Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

Close-up of a bowl filled with creamy homemade hamburger helper topped with melted cheddar cheese.
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Make this copycat Hamburger Helper recipe from scratch in one skillet. It is a quick, creamy, and cheesy ground beef pasta dinner ready in 30 minutes, tasting much better than the boxed version.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the meat mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Add the elbow macaroni pasta to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring every 4 to 5 minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  8. Serve this easy one pan pasta dinner immediately.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of milk.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground sausage for the ground beef.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, add a splash more milk or broth until you reach your desired consistency for this creamy ground beef recipe.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/