Homemade Hamburger Helperis all of the simpleness and ease of the stuff in the box, without the box! This dish is a creamy, cheesy, pasta and hamburger recipe that’s super fast to make.

Cheesy pasta and beef in a skillet sitting on a wooden cutting board.

Why is ground beef always in our freezers? Because it’s so versatile and so easy to use. I keep it on hand pretty much all of the time because we love it and it can be turned into so many things.

Have some ground beef in your freezer? Add this easy hamburger helper recipe to your list ofsimple ground beef recipesbecause it’s delicious, fast, and oh so easy.

To round out this meal, add somesautéed green beans, achef salad, and some seasonal fruit.

Hamburger helper being served into three white bowls on a wooden cutting board.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It’squick and easyto make in 30 minutes and in one pot. So clean-up is a breeze.
Great way toget creative in the kitchen– change the pasta shape, use a different kind of cheese, or add some veggies!
The sauce is so rich and creamy thatthe whole family will love it.

Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef
Cornstarch:This thickens the sauce.
Seasonings:Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground black pepper.
Chicken stock or broth
Medium shell pasta
Heavy cream
Shredded cheddar cheese:This recipe used sharp cheddar but you could use a medium or mild if you prefer.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients andquantities.

Popular Substitutions and Variations

You coulduse another ground meat, such as ground pork or turkey. But note the flavor will be different.
Change up the pasta shape. Farfalle (bowties), penne and elbow macaroni would all be great alternatives.
Smoked paprika adds wonderful flavor to this dish butyou could use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprikaor can’t find it.
Swap out a different cheeseto change the flavor – you could use gouda, colby, or Monterey Jack.
Add some veggieslike frozen peas or broccoli.

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

Step #1.Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step #2.Add the seasonings and cornstarch and cook for 30 seconds.
Step #3.Add the broth or stock and the pasta and let the pasta cook with the meat and spices.
Step #4.When the pasta is al dente, stir in the cream and cheese, and simmer for a couple minutes until it thickens a bit. Serve hot.

Hamburger helper in a white bowl with spoon.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use water instead of broth?

You could but the dish will not have the same depth of flavor. You could use beef broth instead if you have it.

Do I have to cook the pasta in the pan?

Yes. Cooking the pasta in the pan is the best because the starch that the pasta releases helps thicken the sauce. It also makes cleaning up easier because you only used one pan.

Can I freeze homemade hamburger helper?

Yes. Put the leftovers in an airtight container. Freeze for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.

An almost empty pan of the cooked hamburger helper recipe.

Expert Tips

Theground beef doesn’t need to be stirred constantlywhile browning.
Let the ground beef sit in a hot pan and brown up on one side before stirring it to the next side. Browning your hamburger in a hot pan is an easy way to add more flavor.
Don’t skip the corn starch! It’s what gives the sauce a really nice texture.
If your hamburger helper is tasting a blandadd some more saltas well as the other seasonings to taste.
Because you’re cooking the pasta in the pan,the cooking time may varyfrom what the package says.

A close-up of finished hamburger helper dish in a large skillet on a wooden cutting board.

How to store and reheat leftovers

Store leftover hamburger helper in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat you can stick it in the microwave to heat OR you can reheat it on the stove top, over medium heat. Add a splash of water as needed to help adjust the thickness and texture of the dish while it’s heating.