Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper

I know Hamburger Helper isn’t that classy. But sometimes we just like things that are easy and taste good. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

I can’t honestly remember the last time I purchased or prepared a box of Hamburger Helper. It’s not that I never have, it’s just that with awesome recipes like this one inspired by Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures, you no longer have to. I changed up the recipe a bit to suit our tastes and boost the nutritional value a little bit more.

I could have called it something like, “One Pot Beefy Macaroni”, but I wanted to appeal to those people who might be eyeing up the Hamburger Helper box on the grocery store shelf. This is just as easy, and way better for you!

I am a big, big fan of meals that cook all in one pot. Meat, sauce, cheese, pasta, veg — everybody in together. And if I can go through that little effort and come out with two — or more — suppers in the end? Even better.

I made this and doubled it to bring with when we went to visit friends of ours who had just had a sweet little baby boy. It is such an easy recipe to double, and takes no extra time or effort at all. It’s also an easy recipe to change up, adding in your favourite sauces, cheeses or vegetables and swapping out others.

*NOTE: I have given you the ingredient list I used for a double recipe below, just to make it easy for you if you want to make an extra to give away or put in the freezer. The instructions are exactly the same, so I won’t repeat them. If you are planning on saving in the fridge and baking later, or freezing and baking later, I would be sure to cut a few minutes off of your pasta cook time — the noodles will continue to cook in the oven and you don’t want them mushy.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4-5 servings

Easy, cheesy macaroni and beef made completely in one pot!

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1/2 red pepper, diced
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes (or more, if you like it spicy!)
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cube frozen spinach (or about 1 cup fresh, chopped fine)
• 1 3/4 cup milk
• 1 3/4 cup beef broth
• 2 1/2 cups macaroni
• 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

1. To a large pot add beef, onion, peppers, pepper flakes, garlic and spinach. Cook over medium high heat until beef is browned.
2. Add in milk, broth, macaroni and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium low and cover with a lid.
3. Cook 12-15 minutes, checking and stirring every 5 minutes. If your noodles aren't cooked after 15 minutes, continue cooking.
4. Stir in 1 cup of cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and serve.

Notes

See doubled ingredients below.

INGREDIENTS: doubled

• 2 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 2 pinches red pepper flakes (or more, if you like it spicy!)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1-2 cube frozen spinach (or about 1-2 cup fresh, chopped fine)
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3 1/2 cups beef broth
• 5 cups dry macaroni
• 3 cups tomato sauce
• 3 cups shredded cheese