One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper is just like the classic favorite Cheeseburger Macaroni that we all know and love! This homemade version is made in one pot, rich and cheesy and tastes so much better than the boxed version!
Even as an adult I get cravings for those childhood favorites like hamburger helper. My favorite hamburger helper growing up was cheeseburger macaroni. It’s such a classic flavor combination! Now that I’m grown up I may have the craving, but, the boxed version just doesn’t suit my taste anymore.
I love a good one pot recipe too. One pot meals like my Homemade Hamburger Helper and this One Pot Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Rice are just as easy to make (if not easier) than any boxed meal. They are super budget friendly and made with ingredients we usually have in our pantry. Plus, they have a really great flavor without packaged powdered products so we know what we are getting!
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper:
To make this cheeseburger macaroni hamburger helper there is no reason to dirty more than one dish! Start with a large skillet and brown your ground beef until it’s no longer pink. Then, drain ALL of the grease from the skillet. I also like to wipe my skillet out with a paper towel for this recipe, although that is completely optional.
Next, you will turn your stove heat down to low and stir all of your seasonings into your meat. This recipe has been tested and tried many times and the seasoning combo provides just the right amount of flavor without the dish being too salty. Don’t worry about the hot sauce, it doesn’t make the dish spicy, it just adds a nice kick of flavor!
The next step is to add your macaroni and beef broth. I recommend using low-sodium broth if possible. You can also use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or simply water for this recipe if necessary.
Give everything a really good stir to make sure the ketchup, mustard, and seasonings are all well mixed in. Use the back of your wooden spoon if you need to make sure the macaroni is submerged under the broth.
Then, you will simply cover your dish with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes until your macaroni is soft. I recommend lifting the lid and stirring once or twice during the process.
You will notice that there is absolutely no milk in this recipe. During recipe testing, I found the flavor much better leaving the milk out. The addition of sour cream at the end gives a great creaminess and zing of flavor!
Once your macaroni is completely cooked you will remove your pan from the heat. Then, stir in the sour cream until it is well incorporated. Then, you can place your pan back on the warm burner and add in the shredded cheese mixing until well combined.
I recommend using freshly shredded cheddar right off the block if possible. It melts so much better than the bagged pre-shredded stuff!
Enjoy!
~Nichole
One Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper is just like the classic favorite Cheeseburger Macaroni that we all know and love! This homemade version is made in one pot, rich and cheesy and tastes so much better than the boxed version!
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 Teaspoon Hot Sauce Optional
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 1/2 Cups Macaroni
- 3 1/2 Cups Broth or Water
- 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
- 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
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Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink. Drain grease and return meat to the pan.
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Reduce heat to low and add the ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, seasonings, macaroni and broth to the pan and stir well to combine.
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Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until macaroni is cooked through.
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Remove pan from heat and stir in the sour cream.
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Return the pan to the warm burner and stir in the shredded cheese until well combined.
NOTE: This recipe is best when made with freshly shredded cheese.
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What a great idea! Makes me feel like a kid again!
You had me at one pot!! I also love knowing exactly what I am feeding my family!
I am loving this homemade version of the box helper. So much better made from scratch!
OMG! It looks so tasty! I want it!
I love an easy, family friendly meal! I know this is going to be a hit!
I love a good homemade classic dish! This sounds fantastic!
I love things like this! Thank you so much for sharing! It’s wonderful!!
This is my new go to dinner!
Could this be made in the Instant Pot?
I definitely think so, but, I haven’t tried it. Honestly for this one by the time it comes to pressure it’s probably easier to make as directed! If you would like to try it in your IP I’d try following the directions for my Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, it would be pretty close. https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/instant-pot-mac-and-cheese/
This recipe is pretty instant on its own!
I have a SERIOUS weakness for hamburger helper. It’s my guilty pleasure. This looks so good!
I made this recipe and it was SO Good! My husband had three bowls of it. Thank you!
Thank you!! So glad that you enjoyed this! 🙂
Did you mean 3 1/2 cups of broth?? Without boiling it left a lot of liquid in mine.
Hi! Yes, it should be 3 1/2 cups of broth. Were your noodles completely cooked through? This is one of those “tried and true” recipes of mine that I have made so many times and haven’t had any problems with. So, I’m wondering where the issue is. So, if the noodles weren’t completely cooked I’d say it maybe needed to simmer a tad longer. There should be some liquid left, but not a whole lot. If your pasta was cooked through, then I’d say try simmering at a little bit higher temperature or reduce the broth to 3 cups. I hope that helps!
Family loved this, it’s tasty and a quick meal!
Thanks, Crystal! 🙂
This was delicious! I subsituted plain 2% Greek yogurt for the sour cream 👌🏻 Thanks my whole family love it!
Happy to hear it, Jenna! Thank you 🙂
When do you add the cheese?
Step #5 return the pan to the warm burner and stir in the shredded cheese until well combined.
I notice in the picture there are green flakes. Is this parsley? I don’t see which spice it could be from the list in the recipe. Thank you!
Hi! Yes, it’s just parsley 🙂
I cooked this Tonight. And yes it must be tried and true because it taste just like hamburger helper.such an easy recipe did a great job. Can’t tell you how happy I am this turned out to be Soo delicious. Thank you for sharing.