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One-Pot Creamy Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper

Close-up of creamy, cheesy homemade hamburger helper mixed with ground beef served on a white plate.
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Make this creamy, cheesy, one-pot homemade hamburger helper from scratch. This recipe replicates the classic comfort food flavor using simple ingredients and cooks fast, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni or small pasta shape
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), beef broth, milk, and tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Add the dry elbow macaroni to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in both the cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Serve immediately as a quick comfort food meal.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of regular milk.
  • You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or ground Italian sausage.
  • For a cheeseburger macaroni recipe feel, add 1/4 cup of yellow mustard to the liquid mixture before adding the pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delishcraze.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/