With more than 7 million page views and hundreds of FIVE STAR reviews, this easy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is one of our go-to dinner recipes when we are in the throes school schedules and extracurricular activities and I haven’t planned ahead. This Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet is made with ingredients we always have on hand in under 20 minutes. It’s may not be fancy, but this one-pot meal is a family favorite that is always easy, satisfying, and a hit even with picky eaters!
So much better than much loved boxed version. I grated the cheese the night before and it was fairly quick to make. ~ Susan
I didn’t grow up eating Hamburger Helper. It’s not something my mom ever made, so the first time I tried it was at college when a roommate made it for our apartment one night. That’s when I discovered how much I love it!
Did anyone else trade nights to make dinner for roommates? I loved taking turns cooking for my roommates or enjoying what they cooked when it was their turn. It made life easier and it was fun to try their childhood favorites that they grew up with like the boxed hamburger helper that my roommate Sarah introduced me to.
I know the boxed stuff is probably less than impressive to anyone who grew up with it, but for me, I was embarrassingly delighted by the meaty, cheesy, carb-fest of pasta noodles in a savory, cheesy sauce with browned ground beef in it. It just tasted so good and comforting!
So I was super delighted when I learned you could easily make the cheeseburger pasta skillet recipe from scratch! This homemade version is one of our favorite go-to easy dinners and our whole family love it.
It’s essentially the same ol’ boxed version of the hamburger helper that you can pick up at the grocery store, but so much better homemade using real cheese and skipping unnecessary add-ins! And it is a TOTAL lifesaver on busy weeknights when I don’t really want to cook or haven’t planned ahead. I always have a pound or two of ground beef in the freezer, along with cheese in the fridge and pasta in the pantry.
Homemade hamburger helper also solves the other impediment to a homecooked meal (for me) which is the inevitable clean-up afterwards. Dishes are the worst.
But an easy one pot skillet meal means much less to clean, which means I’m more likely to cook, even when I might otherwise cave and say it’s an eating out night. And really, since I can make this from start to finish in about 15 minutes, it’s a lot faster than even fast food!
If you LOVE one-pot meals, you should also try this one pot bruschetta chicken pasta that is amazing and full of flavor.
We are always looking for more easy weeknight ideas that will satisfy our hungry family. Some of our other favorites are Tuna Noodle Casserole, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and Ground Beef Stroganoff!
What You’ll Need
- Pasta: I love cavatappi noodles or elbow macaroni, but any small pasta will work like bowtie pasta or even egg noodles.
- Lean ground beef: Or sub ground turkey, ground chicken, ground sausage, etc. to change up the flavor or make this a little healthier.
- Milk: I think milk works great to add richness to this homemade hamburger helper recipe and it cuts back on the calories a bit over using heavy cream.
- Hot water: If you want this dish extra savory, go ahead and heat up some beef broth or even chicken broth in place of the water. But I find that with all the spices and cheese, water works just fine.
- Cheese: Medium cheddar cheese gives it that classic hamburger helper taste, but you could substitute other melty cheese like monterey or pepperjack for something different.
- Cornstarch: This both thickens the sauce slightly and gives it a silky texture.
- Paprika: Regular or smoked paprika work well in this recipe.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder: We actually like onion powder over fresh onion in this recipe because it makes it more like the original box version, but you could chop and saute half a medium onion with the ground beef if you prefer.
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sugar: I am sometimes asked why there is sugar in this recipe. It’s a small amount but it balances out the other flavors. that it is hardly noticeable, and you can leave it out if you want and the recipe will still taste good, but it balances all of the flavors.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Making homemade hamburger helper is super easy. You start by browning a pound of ground beef in a large skillet or large pot over medium-high heat. Just break up the meat so it cooks evenly and drain any extra fat that cooks off.
Next, sprinkle the cornstarch and spices over the browned meat and stir them in before adding the hot water or broth, milk, and pasta. Stirring the spices in first coats the meat before adding the liquid.
I prefer using cavatappi pasta, which is one of my favorite noodle cuts ever, but you could use macaroni noodles too. If you haven’t tried cavatappi before, it’s basically macaroni, except longer spirals instead of elbows and it’s the same pasta that I use when I make my copycat costco mac & cheese.
Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook over medium heat until the pasta is tender but still al dente.
Once the pasta has absorbed most of the liquid and cooked to al dente perfection, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese on top, then stir it in. There will still be liquid in the pan with the cooked pasta. This continues to be absorbed by the pasta and combines with the cheese to make a lovely, cheesy sauce.
I love Tillamook Farmstyle Cut medium cheddar cheese for this because it tastes amazing and melts beautifully, unlike most other prepackaged grated cheeses I have tried.
This isn’t sponsored, I just really, really love this product and find it super convenient to have on hand, especially on nights when I’m short on time, trying to get a meal on the table, and not feeling like grating cheese with the cheese grater.
After just a couple of minutes the sauce will have thickened slightly. You might want to sprinkle it with fresh parsley for a pop of fresh color before serving.
If you are looking to add some new easy weeknight dinner ideas to your meal rotation this school season, definitely consider adding this homemade hamburger helper to the mix.
Or try one of my other easy dinner recipes like sheet pan shrimp fajitas, one pan green bean, chicken & potatoes, or baked spaghetti casserole.
Tips for Success
- This is one of our reader favorites and there are lots of suggestions in the comments about adding chopped bell peppers, green beans, or other veggies to the recipe if you want to try.
- Let the dish sit for 5 minutes before serving to give the cheese sauce a chance to set up and thicken slightly.
- Swap out the cavatappi noodles for shells, macaroni, or any other small pasta you like.
- You can use ground turkey or ground chicken to lighten up this dish, as well as protein pasta or gluten-free pasta if you are looking to make a healthier version.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The leftovers heat up great the next day either in the microwave or on the stovetop, although you may need to add a splash of milk to thin out the sauce a bit since it tends to absorb into the pasta overnight.
What to Serve with Hamburger Helper
This homemade hamburger helper recipe is hearty and filling, so it goes great with a nice spinach salad or crisp green salad with copycat Olive Garden dressing. We also like to serve hamburger helper with a green vegetable like green beans or roasted broccoli. Fruit salad with marshmallows or even an orange jello are also always a hit with the entire family.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Equipment
- Cheese grater (I have this one and I love it!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups hot water (or beef broth or chicken broth)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles (about 8 ounces or ½ of a 1 pound box)
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, then add the ground beef and break it up with a meat chopper or wooden spatula or spoon, cooking and stirring until the meat is no longer pink. Drain any remaining fat in the pan.1 pound lean ground beef
- Sprinkle the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, and pepper over the browned meat and stir well to evenly distribute the spices. Add the hot water, milk, and pasta, then bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce heat and simmer for 8-11 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.1 Tablespoon cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cups hot water, 1 ½ cups milk, 2 cups dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles
- Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the cooked pasta and stir until melted into the sauce. Remove from the heat, and let stand for a few minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, then serve.2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Video
Notes
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Adding veggies: You might consider adding chopped bell peppers, green beans, or other veggies to make this more of a true one-pot meal.
- Substitutions: Swap out the cavatappi noodles for shells, macaroni, or any other small pasta you like. You can use ground turkey or ground chicken to lighten up this dish, as well as protein pasta or gluten-free pasta if you are looking to make a healthier version.
- This recipe is on page 159 of my cookbook, House of Nash Eats Everyday!
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts.
This post was originally shared in August, 2018. The content was updated in November, 2022.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes
- Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Tex-Mex Doritos Taco Salad
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I will make this again.
Great! This is a good, easy recipe to have on a dinner meal rotation!
One of our absolute favorites! Have made it loads of times and loved it every time! Tonight I used smoked paprika and definitely noticed and didn’t like the change. Maybe that’s obvious but it wasn’t to me so I thought I’d comment 😅
Ok! Everyone has different tastes and likes. Definitely make it to how you like it. But now you know! 😉
A great recipe that even our picky 12yo will eat! We leave out the sugar because we just don’t need it.
We sometimes stray and add other things like onions or chili crunch if the kid isn’t home to eat it.
Great recipe! I would change two things: brown the meat with some onion in the skillet, and use about half the meat called for in this recipe. Most of our meals are plant-based (hard for us to get meat), so I think we just have a lower tolerance for it. Either way, very yummy seasoning mix 🙂
Yes if you’re not use to the meat, it might seem like a lot. Glad you enjoyed the flavors! Next time you make it you can make the adjustments to fit your needs.
You can use the ground crumble meat substitute
My lanta! This was so easy and so so good. I have been searching for the perfect homemade hamburger helper, and I kept coming upon chili mac recipes instead. This is like the box mix, but gourmet. We used Jovial brand gluten free macaroni, which holds up very well!
Thank you! Glad you found this recipe! Good to know for other readers on which gluten free pasta works well.
This was very good. I added spinach, onion and diced tomatoes. I will make this again!
I first made this recipe in 2020, needing to use up ingredients from my husband’s work cafeteria. We basically got groceries from them to avoid the store. It tastes exactly like the box version, only healthier.
Easy prep very bland used the beef broth also
My son can’t have cornstarch so could I use flour?
Yes you can use flour instead of cornstarch.
I looked it up and it said to double the amount for flour.
My kiddos loved it!
That’s awesome your kids loved it!
My granddaughters loved this recipe we’ve tried a few and by far this was a much easier recipe and very tasty.
Thank you Mary! That’s great your granddaughter loved it.
Hamburger helper ?
Not exactly a burger is it
Still looks good
Will try it out on my grand kids
Ha ha not a hamburger per se, but it has hamburger in it! The original 1970’s recipe was called hamburger helper because it came with seasonings and everything else you need to “help” the hamburger become a delicious meal.
You should definitely try it out with your grandkids! It’s one of my most popular meals. Families love it!
So THIS is why I still want to call ground beef “hamburger”!!! Hamburger Helper, helps your hamburger–make a great meal!
Ha ha Yes!
Oh my word! This was absolutely delicious! I mixed up 3 batches of the seasoning to make it even quicker. Hubby said don’t lose that recipe!! Thank you so much.
Great! So smart to pre mix the seasonings so they are ready to go!
I did not have cornstarch so I had to use 2 TBSP of flour but otherwise, I followed the recipe above and it turned out great!
Good! Yes, the flour and cornstarch can replace eachother pretty well.
Great recipe! No preservatives and cooking time/liquid content is accurate! Thank you!
This was delicious. We made a double batch ton8ght. The only thing I changed was adding some Velveeta at the request of my son. Thank you for the recipe. My grandsons both loved it. We will definitely be making this again..
Thank you Rena! I am happy to hear your grandsons enjoyed it.
If I did want to use a full box of pasta, how much would I need to increase the liquid by?
I would add another cup of water and another cup of milk. You want the noodles to be covered in liquid. Just check the noodles while cooking to see if you need to add any extra liquid. If there is too much liquid you can boil off some extra liquid. Also, add more cheese and a bit more seasonings to compensate for the extra noodles.
The seasonings were perfect!
Thank you Rachel!
I am new to this site and have no opinions at this moment.
The seasoning and cornstarch to water ratio is perfect
Made it with some caramelized onions and green beans!! For my cheese I added mozzarella,cheddar and 2oz of cream cheese. It was spectacular!
Great Sarah! I love the different combination of cheeses.
Thank you so much for retyping the amounts for everything needed in each section. This might be the first recipe that I have seen do this and it was so nice to not have to scroll up all the time while in the thick of it! Super delicious, my family of 4 enjoyed it very much!
It is so helpful! I’m hoping to add this feature to all of my recipes.
Just made this for my husband and I. Tastes just like HH Cheeseburger Macaroni of old. Perfect mix of spices. Came together very quickly. This will be in rotation!
Great to hear Sharon! I love how easy and fast this dish is as well.
I made this last night but I had only smoked paprika it tasted probably better than regular paprika well make it again maybe little more water and milk
Great! Yes sometimes I do half smoked paprika and half regular. Either way it’s delicious.
Can I swap out the cheddar for velveta? Would it still be two cups? I’m out of cheddar!
Hmmm I have never tried that but I am sure it would be fine. Since the velveeta has a different texture, you could probably eliminate a bit of the cornstarch. You can melt some velveeta and add it in, then add more until you get the flavor you like!
I make this recipe about twice a month for my family and this is the dinner they look forward to! Its a treat for sure and so easy! The 1st thing I do is put the seasoning mixture together then put the water with powder bullion in the microwave for the hot water and then start cooking. Thanks for this recipe!
Thanks Emily! Great steps for easy prep! It makes me so happy to know families love this recipe.
I made this today for dinner. It was very simple to make and it was very delicious. Will definitely make again.
This is a family favorite!!! I love no premade ingredients and it fits the bill for busy evenings.
Great Christy! I always have ingredients for this on hand because you’re right, it’s so easy to make!
Great homemade recipe
My hubby and I love this recipe!! I am not a fan of boxed stuff so I googled home made versions to appease him and found this one and we both ended up loving it. its in our rotation of go to meals! Sometimes I mix in tomatoes at the end. SO GOOD! Thanks
Delicious! I’ve tried the boxed stuff, and I’ve had other homemade recipes of cheeseburger macaroni. They don’t compare at all to this recipe. Thank you for the good eats. I’ve shared this recipe with family and friends! It’s creamy, it’s comforting, it’s tasty, and I know exactly what’s in it. I like to mix and match cheeses based on what I have on hand, but I don’t change anything else about the recipe. It reheats wonderfully, I just add a little liquid (water, broth, or milk) and heat it on the stovetop. 10/10
Thank you for sharing this recipe Sarah! Yes it is fun to customize. I have heard people add mushrooms or green peppers and other veggies to it as well.
We will never be purchasing boxed hamburger helper ever again. This was amazing. I customized to our preferences using cavatappi pasta, some worcestershire sauce, Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef broth and sharp cheddar cheese. Hubby raved all night about how good it was. Will be adding some caramelized onions and mushrooms next time.
Thank you Linda! I love the customizations you made. The onions and mushrooms sound like delicious additions.
Can I make this and place in casserole dish and freeze? When ready to eat, defrost then bake in oven at 350 for
30 minutes or so?
I have never tried that but I think it would work. My only concern would be the texture of the noodles and sauce. Cook the noodles to al dente if you plan on freezing it. If you try it let me know! I would love to see results.
Great recipe!! I was pleasantly surprised! Easy to make, tastes great! I used mini shell noodles. Tasted even better the next day! Next time I will add some Italian seasoning but that’s just my taste. 100% recommend trying this recipe!!
Thank you Lynne! It’s a fun one to change up the noodles. I am glad you liked how easy it is!
I have some leftover cooked elbows I wanted to use for this recipe. Would I just cut out the water but leave the milk since my elbows are already ready? Or should I reduce the amount of milk? Would love any advice, thank you!
I would leave the water out and just start with 1/2 cup of milk to ensure the sauce is creamy. After browning the meat and adding seasoning, pour the milk and let boil. You can always adjust by adding more liquid if you need. Add the cooked noodles and stir. Add cheese at the end.
Do I need to heat up the broth if using instead of water?
Hi! It helps the cooking process go faster when it is warmed so I would recommend heating up the broth.
Am I the only one that thinks the seasoning amounts are insane ? It’s inedible even with only half ! Second time trying it and halving everything! What!
I have over 500 comments and very rarely has someone commented on the seasoning amounts. Most people find the amounts to be completely fine.
This recipe is spot on! Tastes like the boxed kind but better! Yum!
Thank you Reese! I’m glad you like it better than the boxed kind. 🙂
This recipe is fast, has standard/easy-to-find ingredients, and tastes EXACTLY how we wanted it to. Thank you so much for this!
Thank you Sarah! What nice things to say! I am happy it turned out exactly how you wanted it to!
I added some ketchup, mustard and pickle juice to get it a real cheeseburger vibe! With that addition, I highly recommend this dish!
Way to go Carolyn! Delicious additions!
Family enjoyed it- easy meal for school nights!
Great! I am happy your family enjoyed it.
I’ve made this recipe twice now and I just love it! It takes me back to those easy dinners my mom used to make when I was a kid, but it’s just a bit elevated. It’s absolutely craveable!
Thanks Deanna! I am happy you love it!
Great recipe! My picky kids loved it! I used velvetta 6oz because thats all I had on hand. I did have to add an extra 1.5c water , 3/4c milk, and extra seasonings bc my gas stove either boils or nothing. Definitely recommend if you have picky kids.
Thanks Christina! And yes, the kids usually love this recipe!
I followed this recipe exactly and my family somewhat enjoyed it. It was way too salty. Next time, I will use half of the salt.
Otherwise, it was a great and quick skillet dinner. Thank you!
LOVE THIS! It is a family favorite. Everyone, from my three year old to my 11 month old, eat a full portion every time I make it. Perfect for busy nights.
Yay! Isn’t it great to find something even the little ones like that is easy to make! I am so happy your family enjoyed it.
We love this recipe exactly as written! It’s going in the bi-weekly rotation for sure. Thank you!
Yay! I feel honored to be included in your menu rotation!
Terrible. The burger just clumps together while the noodles are solo. Terrible.
This tastes like the real thing without all the preservatives. It was fun to eat on a cold day.
Thank you! Yes, this would be the perfect thing to eat on a cold day!
Worked out great, used high protein whole milk, lactose free cheese, egg noodles and the flavour and consistency was on point.
Thanks Abby! I am glad you like it! Your modifications are super helpful for other readers!
I made this last night for my parents, four and six year old kids. My kids inhaled it, my parents liked it and my Mom asked for the recipe. Simple, quick meal that I could eat for multiple meals in a row. Thank you for the recipe.
Thanks Josh! It is such a well loved recipe! I actually made it tonight and my kids all love it. It’s an easy one that I always have the ingredients for.
I fed this stuff to my kids! They like it when I make it for them.
Thanks Wanda! It is a fan favorite for all ages!
This is so good, I make it at least once a month. The only change I make is to add a chopped onion to the ground beef.
Yum! Chopped onion would be delicious!
Great recipe! Could I use rotini or penne noodles with this?
Yes! Use any noodle you would like!
So easy to make and so delicious!
Thank you Deb!