Description
This homemade hamburger helper recipe is a quick, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring ground beef, rotini pasta, and a flavorful blend of spices, it’s cooked all in one skillet and topped with melted cheddar cheese for a creamy finish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it offers an easy and delicious alternative to the boxed version, made from scratch with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Seasonings
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 onion, chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
Pasta and Liquids
- 3 cups rotini pasta (or substitute penne or medium shells)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups water
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown Beef and Onions: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and spray it with olive oil cooking spray. Add the ground beef and finely chopped onion, cooking and stirring until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, tomato paste, uncooked rotini pasta, beef broth, and water. Mix everything well.
- Simmer: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, remove the cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 12-14 minutes. Stir occasionally until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, reduced by about three-quarters.
- Add Cheese: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and combined, creating a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve the homemade hamburger helper immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini pasta with penne or medium shell pasta depending on your preference.
- Using low-sodium beef broth helps control the salt level in the dish.
- For a spicier kick, add extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This dish stores well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Olive oil cooking spray can be substituted with a small amount of olive oil or other cooking oil.
