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Creamy Homemade Hamburger Helper Delight

creamy homemade hamburger helper delight - featured image
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A quick and easy homemade version of Hamburger Helper with a creamy, cheesy sauce and seasoned ground beef, perfect for family meals and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef, preferably 80% lean
  • 8 ounces (225g) medium pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (480ml) beef broth, low-sodium
  • 1 cup (240ml) milk, whole or 2%
  • 1 ½ cups (150g) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Push beef to one side of the skillet and melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in the empty side. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until light golden to make a roux.
  3. Slowly whisk in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup milk. Stir to combine with roux and beef.
  4. Add 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
  5. Add 8 ounces pasta directly into the skillet. Stir well, cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and has absorbed the sauce.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen. If too thin, simmer uncovered longer. Stir pasta every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt. For gluten-free, substitute flour and pasta accordingly. For dairy-free, use plant-based milk but sauce will be less creamy.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, quick family dinner, easy weeknight meal, cheesy pasta dish

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/creamy-homemade-hamburger-helper-delight-easy-recipe-for-family-meals/