Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

I feel this recipe has been a long time coming. I’ve seen the classic Hamburger Helper flying around the internet for many years, so I simply had to give my 10 pence (or ‘cents’ should I say). And yes, I have tried the original! Follow me..

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Let’s just clear a few cobwebs, especially for my fellow Brits reading this.

What is Hamburger Helper?

It’s essentially a boxed mac & cheese to which you add ground beef (aka minced beef). Kind of like cheeseburger pasta if you will. For us, I’d say it’s the equivalent of the red box mac & cheese you can buy at corner shops and supermarkets.

What goes into Hamburger Helper?

As I mentioned, I have indeed tried it. I went as far as to order it online because I needed the try the real-deal before I made my own version! A commitment to the cause I’d like to think. Anywho, in the box you get dried macaroni and powdered cheese, to which you add butter, water and milk. And yes, I was taken back by how bright orange the powdered cheese was 🤣 I’m not going to lie, I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to buy it again (much to everyone’s surprise I’m sure 😅). BUT, I saw potential. Because realistically how is cheesy beef pasta not a bit of me?! As such, we’re going to spruce it up and make our own homemade version inspired by the original. The results are DELICIOUS. Process shots: fry bacon (photo 1), fry onion and garlic (photo 2), add beef (photo 3), fry (photo 4).

Making Hamburger Helper

I love adding bacon, not only for bonus flavour, but also because you can render down the fat and use it to fry the onion, garlic and beef. From there, I like to pack in more flavour with some yellow mustard, hot sauce and tomato puree.

Hamburger Helper Sauce

We’re actually going to cook the pasta in the pot with everything else. This not only reduces washing up, but it also means the pasta soaks in all the flavour. PLUS the starch helps bind and thicken the sauce. The base of the sauce is 50:50 milk and beef stock. I find this gives you a good amount of creaminess that goes will with the cheese, but the beef stock also offers some depth of flavour.

Hamburger Helper Seasoning

You don’t need to go crazy with the seasoning, as all of the other ingredients already add heaps of flavour. Having said that, I like to add some paprika and oregano, alongside the obvious salt and pepper. I like to then end with loads of chives which finishes of the dish so nicely!

What kind of cheese should I use?

I go for mainly cheddar, but I can’t resist add some American/processed cheese. I find this gives a nod to the original, but not so much it’s the dominating flavour. Process shots: add hot sauce, yellow mustard and tomato puree (photo 1), stir (photo 2), simmer macaroni in milk and stock with seasoning then stir in cheese (photo 3), stir in bacon and chives (photo 4).

Serving Hamburger Helper

When it all comes together it’s so tasty you’ll forget you’re eating something inspired by the boxed stuff! It’s super hearty and full of flavour – you’re gonna love it. For another similar recipe check out my One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese! Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this One Pot Hamburger Helper shall we?!