This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Some nights, you just need a quick, hearty meal the whole family will love—no fuss, no fancy ingredients, just pure comfort. This Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper is a _one-skillet wonde_r, packed with rich, cheesy goodness and ready in 30 minutes. I’ve got just the right seasoning blend to bring that classic flavor you remember—only better, because it’s made from scratch with real ingredients!
My family has always loved the classic comfort of Hamburger Helper, and trust me, I’m not here to shame anyone for grabbing the boxed version—it definitely had its place on busy nights! But back when my kids were growing up, I needed a quick, hearty meal and realized I already had everything in my pantry to make my own. So, I played around with the ingredients until I nailed that familiar flavor, minus the mystery stuff. Now, I’ve taken out all the guesswork for you!
This Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper is a one-skillet wonder—rich, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes. It’s got that same cozy taste we all grew up on, but made fresh with real, simple ingredients. And the best part? It really is just as fast as the boxed version, but with even better flavor. Plus, you only need one pan, so cleanup is a breeze—perfect for those nights when you just need to get dinner on the table fast!
Why we love this Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper
- Delicious Simple Recipe: Easy to make with simple ingredients. One the whole family loves; even those picky eaters love this recipe!
- Quick Dinner Idea: This is perfect when you need a meal on the table quick (30-minute meal).
- One-Pot Meal: Everything is cooked in one skillet. This makes cleanup an easy task.
Hamburger Helper Recipe Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef – This keeps the dish flavorful without too much grease. Browning it well enhances the deep, savory taste that makes this meal so tasty.
- Yellow Onion – Adds a mild sweetness and depth to the dish. As it cooks down, it blends beautifully into the sauce, enhancing every bite.
- Spices or Seasonings: Paprika, Garlic Powder, Cayin Pepper, and Dried Parsley are the perfect blend for that familiar boxed hamburger helper flavor (but this is even better) without all the preservatives.
- Salt to Taste: Enhances all the flavors in the dish. Start with a small amount, taste as you go, and keep in mind that beef broth and Worcestershire sauce contribute some saltiness too.
- Beef Broth: Brings a deep, rich base of flavor while helping the pasta cook to perfection right in the skillet.
- Milk: Gives the sauce a creamy texture and balances out the tanginess of the tomato sauce.
- Uncooked Macaroni Noodles: These cook directly in the skillet, absorbing all the delicious flavors while keeping the dish simple and delicious.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds a little tang and richness to the dish, rounding out the flavors and giving it that signature homemade taste.
- Worcestershire Sauce: A small but mighty ingredient that adds a hint of tangy, umami-rich depth to the dish.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Melts into the sauce, creating a creamy, cheesy finish that brings everything together. Using freshly shredded cheese ensures the smoothest, most delicious texture.
How To Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Brown Ground Beef and Season
Let’s whip up some delicious homemade Hamburger Helper together! First, grab a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Once it’s nice and hot, add your lean ground beef and diced yellow onion.
Let them cook until the beef is nicely browned, then drain any excess grease on some paper towels.
Now, return the beef and onion back into the skillet and sprinkle in some garlic powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.
Step 2 | Create Hamburger Helper Sauce
Time to add some flavor! Pour in the beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together well.
Step 3 | Cook Pasta in Sauce
Add the macaroni noodles to the pan.
Keep an eye on it and give it an occasional stir as it cooks. Let it simmer away for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the macaroni is cooked to your desired tenderness.
Step 4 | Stir in Cheese
And now, for the grand finale, it’s cheese time! Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts beautifully into the mixture, creating a luscious and cheesy sauce.
Once the cheese has melted completely, your homemade Hamburger Helper is just about ready to be enjoyed. Let it hang out in the pan for 5 minutes to thicken and get saucy!
Then, serve it up hot and savor every creamy, cheesy bite. I love to garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.
Bon appétit- your family is going to love this nostalgic meal!
Cheesy Hamburger Helper Tips
- Hide the Onion: Need to hide the diced onion from a picky eater? Use a microplane or box grater and grate the fresh onion in. You can also sub onion powder, and they’ll never suspect.
- Simmer, Don’t Boil – Keep the heat at a gentle simmer when cooking the pasta. A rolling boil can cause the liquid to evaporate too quickly, leaving you with undercooked noodles and not enough sauce.
- Stir Occasionally – While the pasta cooks, give it a stir every few minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Let it rest before serving: After the Hamburger Helper is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to develop further and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Skillet Hamburger Helper Variations
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
What to Serve with this Hamburger Helper Skillet
This cheesy hamburger skillet is a complete ground beef dinner on its own! With its starchy sauce, pasta, and cheesy ground beef- it is super filling.
If you want to add in something green, it goes well with green beans, a nice green salad. Then round out the meal with some crusty bread– like, a dinner roll, cheesy green chile bread, or air fryer Texas Toast.
Storing Cheesy Hamburger Helper
Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
Freeze: Place completely cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! While traditional Hamburger Helper recipes often use macaroni noodles, you can use different types of pasta based on your preference. Some popular alternatives include cavatappi pasta, penne, rotini, or even egg noodles. Just adjust the cooking time according to the pasta shape you choose.
Yes! While cheddar cheese is a classic choice for Hamburger Helper, you can experiment with other cheese varieties. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of different cheeses can be used to suit your taste preferences. Just keep in mind that different cheeses may result in slightly different flavors and textures.
You can swap milk for cream, half & half, or evaporated milk, additional water, or broth- for another dairy swap. If you want a non-dairy option, you can use a plant-based milk substitute like coconut milk or almond milk or a vegan sour cream. You can also change out the cheese for a plant-based cheese option. These swaps may change the taste, but if you are using them in your current diet you may not notice the difference.
Yes. With a few adjustments, you can make this in the slow cooker. Complete step 1 and then pour into the crock-pot. Add all the other ingredients except cheese and pasta and cook covered on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. You will want to cook pasta according to package instructions to al dente and hold it until almost ready to serve. About 15-30 minutes before serving, stir in cheese and cooked pasta and cover to melt and thicken.
Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?
Sign up for my free recipe club to get family-friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing daily meal-time inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.
Skillet Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 ½ to 2 pounds lean ground beef
- ¼ cup yellow onion, diced (or 1 teaspoon on onion powder)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni noodles
- 8 ounce tomato sauce
- 3 to 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown ground beef and onion, drain on paper towels.
- Return to the skillet. Add garlic powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.
- Stir in the beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir it.
- Add in the macaroni noodles or your favorite small pasta and stir. Stirring occasionally, cook until macaroni is done, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
- Once done, stir in the cheese until completely melted. Let it set for at least 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
- Garnish with fresh parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Soulfully Made.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Made this a couple of times for my family! They love it thank you. I’ve added bell peppers and cumin to mine as we enjoy these flavours in pasta dishes. Thank you
Thank you, Carrie! Bell peppers are a great addition!
Your Cheesy Hamburger Skillet recipe is a game changer; the perfect fusion of comfort and culinary creativity. The blend of flavors is like a symphony for the taste buds, elevating a humble dish into something truly exceptional.
I loved this a lot and it was a great excuse to cook in my cast iron. Thank you!
Thank you, Ned! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
This is like those meals of my youth – hearty, tasty and comforting!
This sounds like a perfect dinner for my family. I have three hungry boys and they love burgers and pasta, what a combo!! Cooking it this week. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Thank you, Elena! It really is the perfect meal for hungry boys!
Love that it’s made in one pot, and so comforting too.
Thank you, Caroline! I love one pot meals too! Easy cleanup and perfect for weeknights.
Such a tasty lookin’ comfort food! YUM!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!