Homemade Hamburger Helper

If you're a parent or child of the '80s, you probably remember the Hamburger Helper mascot—that ever-cheerful, inexplicably four-fingered puppet who was always waving you to dinner with a little help from his handy box of dried pasta and seasonings. But while that flavor is nostalgic, sometimes a homemade meal is what you're craving for family dinner. If you're in the mood for ground beef and pasta, this is one recipe that's guaranteed to reward your cravings. Folks of every age will fall in love with Hamburger Helper all over again.

What makes homemade Hamburger Helper better than the store-bought version?

There's absolutely no shame in pulling a box from the pantry to help you get dinner on the table in a hurry. But if you have a handful of extra minutes, making this recipe from scratch yields a richer, more flavorful dinner. The spices in your pantry are more potent, the fresh onion and garlic add more robust flavors than the dried versions in the box mix, and the broth and tomato sauce bring a deep, savory richness to the beef and pasta.

What do I need to make homemade Hamburger Helper?

Everything you need to make Hamburger Helper from scratch is most likely already in your fridge and pantry right now: one pound of hamburger meat, four slices of bacon, dried seasonings, canned tomato sauce and broth, a little cream or milk, and some fresh onion and garlic. It's comfort food, fast—and we could all use more that.

Can you make homemade Hamburger Helper with ground turkey?

Sure! Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground beef in dishes like homemade Hamburger Helper. 

Can you use Velveeta instead of American cheese slices in homemade Hamburger Helper?

Be our guest: Velveeta works perfectly! Look for an 8-ounce block and use half of it for this recipe. Just be sure to cube it up before adding it to the pot so that it melts more quickly. Save any leftovers for your favorite cheese dip recipe.

Can I use any pasta in Hamburger Helper?

Technically, you can use any pasta shape in this recipe but to make it feel like classic Hamburger Helper, it's best to use a shorter pasta like elbow macaroni. You can use longer pasta if that's all you have, but be warned that your brain may try to convince you that you're eating spaghetti. Anything short like rotini, penne, or even shells will encourage a more enthusiastic high five from the Hamburger Helper glove.

Is Hamburger Helper a one-pot recipe?

Yes, Hamburger Helper is made in a Dutch oven and it's one of our favorite one-pot meals! The broth, combined with the tomato sauce and cream, is just enough to help cook the pasta while the meat simmers.