Cheesy One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Creamy, cheesy, and ready in 30 minutes, this homemade Hamburger Helper brings all the cozy comfort of the classic boxed version, but with better flavor, fewer ingredients, and only one pot to clean.
Servings: 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion softens, about 6–7 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and mustard.
- Add the beef broth, milk, and pasta directly into the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar and mozzarella until melted, creamy, and stringy. If the mixture looks too thick, add a splash of milk; if it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for 1–2 minutes to thicken.
- Serve hot with extra cheese on top, if desired.