Name: Cheeseburger Macaroni (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Ground Beef
Ingredients: 1 pound lean hamburger meat; 1 package taco seasoning; 2 cups beef broth (or water); 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes); 1 cup elbow macaroni; 2 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons flour; 3/4 cup milk; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper

This delicious, cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper is one of our favorite easy ground beef recipes for dinner. It’s warm, hearty and so easy to make in less than 20 minutes. You only need a few ingredients!

Why Make Hamburger Helper from Scratch?

I know what you’re thinking… why should I make my own hamburger helper when I can just go buy a box at the store? Well, my version is home cooked, far less processed, just as easy, and complete in 30 minutes. This homemade version of the American classic also makes healthier swaps for some of the original not-so-healthy ingredients, making it something you can feel good about eating, too.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients

This dish is all about flavor, and that’s where the taco seasoning and chiles come in. The pasta is cooked in the same dish as the meat and spices, allowing all the flavor to soak in. Top it off with the creamy cheese sauce and watch it all disappear!

Here’s what you’ll need for the hamburger pasta:

1 pound of lean hamburger meat
1 package of taco seasoning
2 cups of beef broth
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes)
1 cup of elbow macaroni

Skip the powdered cheese packet and make your own with these simple ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
¾ cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

This Homemade Hamburger Helper is one of our favorite hamburger recipes. Start with one pound of lean hamburger meat, browned and drained, and add one package of taco seasoning.

Next add one can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles. You can also just use a can of petite diced tomatoes.

You don’t even have to drain the tomatoes first! Tomatoes are one of our favorite additions to ground beef recipes.

Next add two cups of beef broth. You can also just use water if you don’t have any beef broth.

And one cup of elbow macaroni. You don’t even have to boil the noodles first.

Stir everything combine and heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 12-14 minutes until the macaroni is tender.

Cheese Sauce for Homemade Hamburger Helper

While that’s simmering, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add 2 tablespoons of flour.

Whisk to combine, and continue to cook, whisking until fragrant and light brown in color, about 5 minutes.

Whisk in 3/4 cup of milk.

And bring the sauce to a boil, and whisk until smooth and thickened.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Whisk until melted and season with salt and pepper.

I like using this seasoned salt and pepper, but you could definitely use regular salt and pepper.

Here’s what our Homemade Hamburger Helper looks like after 12-14 minutes. Don’t worry if all the liquid has not been absorbed yet.

Add the cheese sauce and stir gently to combine.

Tips for the Best Hamburger Helper

If you aren’t a fan of red meat you can substitute half or all of the ground beef for ground turkey. Just make sure you taste it while it’s cooking to make sure you don’t want to add any additional spices to it.
You can easily customize this meal by adding in some of your favorite chopped veggies, like bell peppers, onions or carrots.
If you don’t have any beef broth, you can use water as a substitute. Just keep in mind, the broth will make this meal more flavorful.
I like using seasoned salt and pepper to give my meal a little extra bang, but regular salt and pepper will work just fine, too.

What to Eat with Hamburger Helper

This Homemade Hamburger Helper is largely a meal in itself, but you can always serve it with a simple side salad, buttery garlic bread, or these yummy Roasted Carrots to help make your meal complete.

How to Store Leftovers

Once cool, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm it up in a skillet or the microwave when you are ready to enjoy again!

You can even double the recipe and store some in the freezer after it cools to have an even easier meal next time. Just wait for it to cool, pack it in a freezer friendly ziptop bag, or cover with foil and place it on a flat surface in the freezer. When you are ready, thaw the hamburger helper in the refrigerator overnight and heat it up in a skillet or in a microwave safe container!

That’s it!! This Homemade Hamburger Helper is hands down one of our favorite easy ground beef recipes. It’s perfect for quick and easy weeknight dinners!