This easy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a cheesy, one-pot dinner made with ground beef, pasta, and simple pantry staples; no milk needed! Use gluten-free or regular pasta for a quick, comforting dish.
One of the first meals I was allowed to make for my family as a tween was a box of Hamburger Helper. It was basically foolproof, made in one pot, and budget-friendly- what more could you ask for when you were just learning to cook?
As an adult, the boxed stuff doesn’t quite hit the same, but I still get a craving for that cheesy, beefy pasta every now and then. So, naturally, I made my own homemade Hamburger Helper with simple ingredients, plenty of cheese, and everything cooked together in one pot.
It’s packed with protein and comforting carbs, so it’s definitely a complete meal on its own. But if you want something on the side, I love it with a simple side salad and some bread for a cozy, easy dinner.
ingredients for one pot hamburger helper
I make my homemade Hamburger Helper with ground beef, pasta, beef broth, and plenty of cheese. I typically use gluten-free noodles, but regular pasta works (I’ve tested both ways). There’s no milk in this recipe, but trust me, you won’t miss it! Between the beef broth, tomato paste, seasonings, and melty cheese stirred in at the end, the pasta turns out creamy, cheesy, and so flavorful.
The first time I tested this recipe, I wasn’t totally sure how skipping the milk would work. But I kept yelling to my husband from the other room about how GOOD it was, so I knew we had a winner. It has all those nostalgic, cheesy Hamburger Helper vibes I remember, just made with simple ingredients I usually already have on hand.
- olive oil: to sauté aromatics and ground beef.
- aromatics: yellow onion, garlic.
- 1 lb ground beef – can also use ground turkey.
- spices: salt, pepper and smoked paprika
- tomato paste: adds a depth of cozy flavor.
- beef broth: helps add flavor and cooks your pasta.
- elbow pasta (macaroni) – gluten free or wheat pasta is fine.
- cheddar cheese: adds the best flavor and creamy texture!
how to make gluten free hamburger helper:
If using gluten-free pasta: I recommend choosing one made with rice flour or a rice flour/lentil blend. Since the pasta cooks right in the sauce, corn-only or lentil-only pasta tends to soak up too much liquid and can become mushy.
I’ve had the best results with Jovial or Bionaturae pasta. Trader Joe’s also makes a rice flour blend that works well in this recipe.
How to Make cheeseburger helper
This homemade Cheeseburger Helper comes together fast, so I recommend having your aromatics prepped, spices measured, and cheese grated before you start cooking. From there, everything cooks in one pot- including the pasta! It’s an easy dinner with minimal prep and even fewer dishes.
tips for success with this one pot comfort meal
My two biggest tips for creamy, glossy noodles (no weird cheese clumps!) and perfectly cooked pasta — because nobody’s got time for mushy noodles:
- Cook your pasta al dente: Take about a minute off the package directions so your noodles stay firm enough to handle all that saucy goodness. They’ll keep cooking in the pot as everything comes together – no mushy pasta here, promise.
- Use block cheese: Grab a block and shred it yourself! Pre-shredded cheese has extra preservatives that keep it from melting smoothly. Freshly grated cheese melts right into the pasta for that dreamy, glossy sauce we’re going for.
leftovers and how to store
This homemade Cheeseburger Helper makes great leftovers, but I don’t typically recommend freezing it. Cooked pasta can become soft after freezing and thawing, especially when using gluten-free pasta. If the change in texture doesn’t bother you, though, you can absolutely freeze leftovers and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Store: Keep leftover Cheeseburger Helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
- Reheat: Warm leftovers in a small saucepan over low heat until heated through. Add a splash of beef broth as needed to loosen up the sauce and bring back some of that creaminess.
watch how to make gluten-free hamburger helper
Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper with ground beef (no milk)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef - can also use ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - or regular paprika, for milder taste
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cups beef broth, low-sodium - increase to 3 1/2 cups if you want a more brothy sauce
- 8 oz dry macaroni (elbow pasta) - gluten free or wheat pasta is fine.
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded - from block cheese, suggested
Instructions
- To a large soup pot or dutch oven, add oil over medium heat. Once hot, add diced onion and saute until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add ground beef and break up with a spatula. Brown until no pink remains, about 5 minutes.
- Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Add tomato paste and saute together for several minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Add beef broth and dry macaroni noodles. Bring pot to a slight boil, and allow to cook uncovered (no lid) for 10-13 minutes, until pasta is al dente, and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring every few minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar until everything is fully combined. Serve and enjoy
Nutrition
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