Homemade Hamburger Helper

This hamburger helper is the perfect meal that the whole family can enjoy. Made with ground beef, veggies, and pantry staples, it is oh so hearty, comforting, and guaranteed to be on your table in 30 minutes or less!

Thanks to Cabot Creamery for sponsoring this post. I only work with companies that I love and believe in. All opinions are my own.

What is hamburger helper?

It’s basically elbow macaroni cooked in tomato meat sauce. What’s confusing is that there are so many names for this classic combination – Beefaroni, American goulash, cheeseburger macaroni, chili mac, hamburger helper…

Regardless of what you want to call it, one thing is for certain. It is a dish that will give you a hug with each bite.

And I can understand why it’s a childhood favorite for so many. It certainly takes me back to my childhood when I first moved to the States from Korea. My mom bought a can of Chef Boyardee, and my sister and I couldn’t eat it fast enough.

This homemade hamburger helper recipe is an upgraded version that tastes so much better than the canned stuff. Much much better! 

And it doesn’t take much effort. Just dump, stir, and simmer! Simply perfect for those busy weeknights, just like all of these easy family meals!

I’ve been making this hearty meal for my kids ever since they were 8 months or so, and it continues to be one of our favorite comfort foods!

And it’s a slam dunk meal that, I have a feeling, will hold a special place in their hearts. They literally ask for it at least twice a month. 

All this to say, make this ASAP!

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: I recommend using 85-90% lean beef for best flavor. We personally love and trust ButcherBox’s commitment to delivering high-quality grass-fed, grass-finished beef straight to our door. You can certainly use ground turkey or chicken. If you want to make this vegetarian, I suggest adding a 15 ounce can of no-salt-added beans along with the vegetables.
• Mushrooms: white or crimini will work best.
• Green bell peppers: feel free to use whatever vegetable(s) you have on hand. Zucchini, carrots, peas, broccoli...
• Beef broth – You can use chicken broth BUT I highly recommend using beef broth for this as it imparts bolder, more savory flavor.
• Elbow macaroni: I have a very strong opinion that this childhood classic is best with this type of pasta. It just soaks up all the flavors so well. Other alternatives I suggest are rotini or fusili. 
• Cheese: it deserves its own section!

What Type of Cheese and How Much?

Let’s talk about cheese for a minute because it is a very important ingredient in this dish. It makes the dish melty, gooey, and rich, and because there’s no added salt in this baby-friendly recipe, it will add a nice sharp, salty bite for the rest of the family.

For years, our go-to cheese has been Cabot Creamery. There are sooo many varieties to choose from and each one has such distinct and delightful flavor and texture. And their cheddar cheese is 100% lactose-free.

I also love and admire this company for their structure. Cabot is a co-operative owned by farm families in New England and New York with 100% of their profits going back to the farmers. What an incredible community! 

I’ve tried this recipe with both Rustic Pizza and Mac and Cheese, and I can’t say that I have a favorite. They’re all so scrumptious in their own distinct way. 

Step By Step Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown ground beef and drain off any excess fat. 
2. Add veggies and flavorings. If you have a picky eater, try adding some of the vegetables that they’re learning to enjoy. I have a feeling when it’s combined with this beefy cheesy sauce (and pasta!), they just might give them some love! 
3. Stir in the liquids and the macaroni and bring the pot to a boil. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to get all the brown bits to dissolve into the sauce. That’s flavor! 
4. After simmering for 10-12 minutes, stir in the cheese.
5. Dig in!

Serving Suggestions

Honestly, a big bowl of beefaroni is all you need for a well-balanced meal. That’s how we roll, but if you want to include an easy side, here are some suggestions:

• Roasted frozen broccoli
• Carrots
• Frozen green beans
• Frozen brussels sprouts
• Sweet potatoes
• Cauliflower
• Zucchini
• Healthy cornbread
• Cheesy garlic bread
• Simple side salad

For babies

Pasta is such a wonderful vehicle for getting lots of essential nutrients into your baby. For younger babies who haven’t quite developed their pincer grasp yet, I suggest using larger pasta shapes like fusili or penne to make it easier for them to grab and bring to mouth.

If the youngest member of your family is a baby, I would set aside a portion for them (they CAN have a little bit of cheese so you can add some if you wish, just not too much). Here is more information about sodium for babies.

Add as much cheese as you want for the rest of the family. I’ve found that 2 cups seems to be the sweet spot. 

Storage Suggestions

Fridge: transfer leftover beefaroni to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Freezer: I recommend not adding the cheese if you know you’re going to freeze all or some (e.g. add cheese to 1/2 of the dish). Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Will keep for up to 3 months.

Here’s everything you need to know to safely store leftovers!

More one pot meals

Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!