Description
This Homemade Hamburger Helper is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy skillet meal that takes just 30 minutes to prepare. Made with lean ground beef, small pasta shells, and a rich tomato-based sauce enhanced with Italian spices, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 large yellow onion (diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Pasta and Dairy
- 8 oz small pasta shells (or small elbow pasta)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half and half)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Additional
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a large sauté pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Remove the cooked ground beef from the pan and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of the grease left in the pan for cooking the next steps.
- Cook the onion and garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the pan and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last 30 seconds of cooking to release its aroma without burning.
- Create the roux and add broth: Sprinkle the flour over the cooked onions and garlic, stirring constantly to cook for about 1 minute. Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps, then bring the mixture to a boil to thicken the sauce.
- Add tomato sauce and spices with pasta: Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add the pasta shells and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover with the lid, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally, and if the pasta is not completely cooked but the liquid reduces too much, add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 cup of broth as needed.
- Finish with cream, cheese, and beef: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Return the browned ground beef to the pan, stirring to combine, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes to reheat the meat thoroughly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the pan from heat and let the dish rest for a minute or two to allow the sauce to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve immediately for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner meat option.
- Use half and half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- If you don’t have small pasta shells, small elbow macaroni works well as a substitute.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
- If the pasta is absorbing too much liquid before cooking through, add extra broth little by little to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
