The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper EVER!
Make the BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper from scratch! This easy one-skillet recipe features ground beef, pasta, veggies, and a rich cheese sauce. A family-favorite comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 6 ounces dry chickpea shell or elbow pasta*
- 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- 1 medium head broccoli florets, cut into small pieces (~ 2 ½ cups)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (~ ⅔ cup)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (~ 2 teaspoons)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole milk or 2%)
- ⅓ cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 7-8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet, add oil, and cook broccoli, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly.
- Gradually whisk in milk, one cup at a time, until thickened (about 8 minutes). Stir in half-and-half, tomato paste, shredded cheese, and seasonings. Remove from heat.
- Fold the cooked pasta and ground beef into the cheese sauce mixture until well combined. Serve warm.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
- Use a good quality shredded cheese for the best melt and flavor.
- Don't rinse the pasta after cooking; the starch helps thicken the sauce.
- For a richer sauce, use whole milk and a splash of heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- Don't rinse the pasta after cooking; the starch helps thicken the sauce.
- For a richer sauce, use whole milk and a splash of heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
- If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.