Hamburger Helper

Try my recipe for homemade Hamburger Helper: a family favorite re-imagined! Made in just one pot in under 30 minutes, it's a new fave!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword diy hamburger helper, hamburger helper, homemade hamburger helper, taco pasta

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 17

Total Time 27

Servings servings

Calories 524kcal

In a large skillet or dutch oven, combine the ground meat, diced onion, olive oil, and minced garlic over medium heat. If using ground beef, skip the olive oil.
1 lb Ground beef, ¼ cup Onion, 2 cloves Garlic, 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
Brown the meat in one large chunk to get a nice crisp on the bottom, then break it up and brown the rest of the meat. If using ground beef, drain excess grease.
Add the broth, tomatoes, milk, tomato paste, and taco seasoning to the meat, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2 cups Chicken broth, 10 oz Tomatoes with green chiles, 1 cup Whole milk, 2 Tablespoons Tomato paste, 1 oz Taco seasoning
Add in the pasta and mix, then cover the pan and simmer over medium low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
½ lb Pasta shells
As the pasta cooks, grate the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and set them aside. Check the pasta by tasting it to make sure it's done before continuing.
1 cup Cheddar, 1 cup Monterey Jack
Once the pasta is tender, take the pot off the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until fully melted.
Serve hot with cilantro and sour cream garnish if desired, and enjoy!
Cilantro

Not all ground meats cook the same! If using ground turkey, make sure to cook it for longer than other ground meats.

You can use any ground meat in this recipe, including plant-based alternatives or even chorizo for a spicy twist!

You can use pre-shredded cheese, but shredding your own results in a creamier and more evenly melted texture.

You can kick up the spice by using chili-prep canned tomatoes such as Rotel's "Chili Fixins", or adding extra cayenne and red pepper flakes to the taco seasoning!

I use low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth. I find it's plenty salty as-is, but be sure to taste the dish and add salt to your taste!