Now you can make this childhood comfort food from scratch! This HomemadeHamburger Helper Recipe has all the flavor and the creaminess that you love in this easy skillet dish.
When I was a kid, I absolutely loved Hamburger Helper. In fact, it was one of my favorites up to my mid to late twenties. There would not be a time when I would go to the grocery store and not buy a few boxes of this dish and eat it, at least, once a week. That’s how nuts I was about this dish. Maybe it was tapping into the childhood memories for me so eating it was a bit nostalgic. Whatever the reason, it was something I enjoyed.
What’s in this Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe?
There are several recipes out there that I have seen for this dish. I’ve tried a few on my own and, although there are a few that have come close, this recipe gets it close to me. I started off by making a roux-base mixture and added all types of seasonings and cheese to the sauce. I added some cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and onion and garlic powder to bring out that classic flavor. The true winner when it comes to flavor is the cumin. That seasoning brings it home for me. Along with the flavors added to the sauce, the creamy cheesy sauce is the comfort realm in this dish. It’s easy and it’s the same sauce started I used in my Baked Macaroni and Cheese.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 8-10 1x
Ingredients
- 2 lb. ground beef
- 2 tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 small onion, peeled and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 11 oz. Shells Pasta (1 ½ boxes of shell pasta)
- 3 tbsp. Butter
- 3 tbsp. Flour
- 4 c. whole milk
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 2 ½ c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tsp. Cumin
- 2 tsp. Chili powder
- 1 tsp. Smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Garlic powder
- ½ tsp. pepper
- ½ tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
Instructions
- In a large shallow pan, turn to medium heat and add the olive oil. Once heated, add the onion and cook for five minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for about three minutes and then add the ground beef and cook until browned Season with salt and pepper to taste. While cooking, be sure to break up the ground beef to medium size crumbles. This should take about 10-15 minutes. Drain the excess fat.
- While the beef is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Drain water and add to the ground beef. Fold ingredients together.
- Using the same pot on medium heat, melt the butter and add the flour until clumpy. Slowly add the milk and whisk until smooth. Allow to come to steam and the milk will continue to thicken. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Add the sharp cheddar cheese and stir until dissolved, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the seasonings, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, and pepper to the cheese mixture and stir. Carefully pour into the ground beef mixture and fold. Add the Worcestershire and stir. Cover with lid and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes and serve.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Entree
Funny how a childhood comfort food can come as a total new thing to others. I didn’t know this recipe, and I think it has a pretty funny name. But wow this must be tasty. Definitely something I need to try. And it’s great that you gave up the packaged version for one made from scratch, because this way even people from Europe like me, who wouldn’t otherwise have access to it, can replicate and enjoy this recipe at home! Thank you!
Nicole, I really love this recipe and really want to pin this and I am trying to add it to my Pinterest. I am trying to Pin this but I cannot find a Pin button in any share buttons on your posts. Please let me know what I am doing wrong. Much love and blessings.
I’m so excited to try this! I haven’t made hamburger helper in years but I just can’t make the boxed meals anymore. This is such an amazing alternative!
What a fantastic idea — having a homemade seasoning to whip up something delish at night. I like the fresh seasonings without all of those preservatives – that’s one of the reasons I never bought Hamburger Helper. I’ve got all of the ingredients on my grocery list. I can’t wait to make it.
I haven’t tried making hamburgers at home. Looks so creamy and the flavors in this dish are just amazing. Can’t wait to try this recipe
This is the perfect dish to make when you are craving something comforting! Looks so good, I think I’ll make it this weekend!
OMgosh this is such a childhood classic. My husband LOVES this stuff so much! It’s easy and total comfort food! Thank you so much for sharing as I know he’s going to go nuts over your amazing recipe!
I’ve never used hamburger helper to be honest! Love this homemade version…totally comforting and delicious for the cooler seasons ahead!
Love your take on this classic comforting recipe. Can’t wait to try making this one!
At last! It’s been a while since I’ve started to look for a recipe like this, and here I am! So glad I am able to try this recipe out – it looks amazing!
Thank you!
This cosy and hearty hamburger helper recipe looks amazing, so creamy! A perfect recipe for upcoming days
Looks like the perfect fall recipe! So hearty and cozy
Wow! Looks good. Mouth already watering. I have shared this with my wife and we are definitely going to try this soon.
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Such a cool recipe. Made it last night and turned out so good. We loved it.
Awesome!!!!
This sounds like such a comforting dish! So fun to re-eat food from childhood, brings back such memories.
I haven’t had Hamburger Helper in so long-this looks so delicious! I love your homemade version because I can adapt it to be gluten free. My whole family is going to love this!
Yay!
Love that you made a homemade version! My mother never made it so when I was 19, I went on a Hamburger Helper rampage. 😀 I was a big fan but don’t like the ingredients. So I’m all for your homemade version!
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I am Greek born and raised and came to live in the united states as a full-grown adult :-). Didnt grow up with hamburger helper and never tried it before. I came across your recipe and was instantly intrigued by it. The dish looks so comforting and yummy. So I tried it and I can say with great confidence that this is perfect comfort food and its flavors ae amazing. I feel I have been under a rock! Thank you so much for inspiring me to try this classic American dish. I am grateful.
Awww! I’m so glad Jenny!
I have been making all the nostalgic classics for dinner including beef stroganoff, too. I can never get the seasoning right when I make hamburger helper from scratch so I’ll need to try this before serving to the family next.
I grew up Italian, we never could have hamburger helper, however I was always curious. I love the seasonings you use and cooking the pasta before you fold it in is a great idea!
Thank you. I’m sure this dish would be a disgrace to your country lol.