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Creamy Hamburger Helper Copycat Recipe Easy Better Than the Box

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A quick and easy homemade version of Hamburger Helper with a creamy, cheesy sauce made from scratch, perfect for busy weeknights and comforting family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 2 ½ cups beef broth, preferably low sodium
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until no pink remains and beef starts to brown, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until well combined.
  5. Pour in beef broth and milk, scraping browned bits from the pan bottom. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Add uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 12–15 minutes. Add more broth if needed to prevent sticking.
  7. Remove lid and stir in softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar until melted and sauce is creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. Let the dish sit off heat for a couple of minutes to thicken. Scoop into bowls and serve.

Notes

Stir during simmering to prevent noodles from sticking. Add extra broth or milk if sauce thickens too quickly. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free version. Substitute dairy-free milk and cheeses for dairy-free version. Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hamburger Helper, copycat recipe, creamy, ground beef, comfort food, easy dinner, homemade, cheesy pasta

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