Ditch the box and easily make your own Homemade Hamburger Helper in less than 30 minutes. Made with lean ground beef, a richly spiced tomato sauce, and tender noodles, this recipe delivers total comfort food with minimal effort.
This Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper sometimes referred to as American Goulash or Johnny Marzetti makes for a perfect weeknight meal as it comes together in one pan in less than 30 minutes.
Why Homemade?
Boxed Hamburger Helper is an affordable meal helper that is extremely popular in many families households.
The premise of it is simple. Brown up some ground meat, add water, and the boxed ingredients and simmer for a quick dinner.
But it is just as easy to make your own Homemade Hamburger Helper and there are so many reasons why you should ditch the box and use this recipe instead!
- You can pronounce all the ingredients.
- WAY less sodium than the boxed hamburger Helper.
- Homemade Hamburger Helper is just as easy to make.
- The homemade version is often much cheaper than the boxed variety--especially if you have spices in your spice cabinet.
- It is a meal the family LOVES and you know exactly what you are feeding them!
- Most importantly-- IT TASTES BETTER!!!
Notes on Ingredients
- Ground Beef: I love to use lean ground sirloin, but ground turkey or ground chicken work as well.
- Stock: Use beef stock for the best flavor, but if you only have chicken broth or vegetable broth on hand, they will work in a pinch.
- Spices: I keep this simple in flavorings and use paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. I don't use fresh onions or fresh garlic to keep this meal super simple and affordable.
- Elbow Macaroni: Whole wheat or regular noodles both work well.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Just a little bit finishes the dish with a bit of POW and rounds out the flavors.
Step-By-Step Directions
You start off making this homemade hamburger helper recipe just as you would when making a boxed version.
- In a large skillet or saucepan add in the ground meat and as it browns, break it up into small pieces.
- Once the meat is cooked, drain off any fat and return to heat.
- Add in tomato paste and spices and let it toast for a minute to develop the flavor of the spices and tomato paste.
- Add in the beef broth and the tomato sauce and bring to boil.
- Once the mixture is boiling Add in the noodles and reduce heat.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender.
- Turn off the heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce.
- Dish up and serve Hamburger Helper--or American Goulash or Johnny Johnny Marzetti--whatever you call this dish!
Recipe FAQs
Homemade Hamburger Helper will last in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Feel free to saute 1 small onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic when browning the beef and then omit the garlic and onion powder.
Yes! For a Gluten-Free Version of Hamburger Helper, it is best to use Barilla Gluten-Free Noodles. Most gluten-free noodles brands give off too much starch to cook in the sauce. I have used the Barilla brand many times with great success. You will also want to check to be sure your beef stock/broth and Worcestershire Sauce are gluten-free.
If you would like a cheesy version of Hamburger Helper, stir 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese after simmering. The residual heat should be enough to melt the cheese.
More Ground Beef Recipes
If you enjoyed this simple, cheap recipe for Hamburger Helper, please be sure to leave a comment and review below.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 3 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups dried macaroni noodles
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Heat a large nonstick deep skillet or dutch oven pan over medium-high heat. Add in the ground beef and brown, while breaking it into small pieces as it cooks. Once the meat is browned, drain off any fat and return the pan to heat. Note: If not using a nonstick pan, you will want to add in 1-2 teaspoons of oil before browning the meat to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan.
- Add tomato paste and seasonings. Cook for 2 minutes to develop flavor. Add in tomato sauce and beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Once the mixture is boiling, add in the noodles and turn the heat down to medium. Simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until noodles cooked through and sauce is absorbed.
- Once the noodles are tender, turn off the heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was orginally published in 2017 but was updated in 2021 with new step-by-step pictures.
Kimberly Keister
Just made this and love it!!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that Kimberly!
Andrea
Do you think chickpea pasta will cook ok in the sauce?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Andrea! Chickpea pasta gives off quite a bit of starchy liquid that may interfere with the taste. The noodles also don't absorb quite as much liquid. That said, I have had 2 people tell me they have used the Banza brand of chickpea noodles with success, I just can't testify to that.
Tara Skinner
Made this tonight and it was great. I had to sub a couple of ingredients to ones I had on hand but it was still very tasty. Next time I will double the recipe so there are leftovers.
Emo
This was a big hit with my nine and 11-year-olds. We all loved it! Will definitely make it again. Not too many ingredients and very easy to make.
Angela
This was a hit with my family! Our family isnt big on meat so we used about 4 cups pasta instead of two. We also used coconut aminos in place of the worcestershire. Sadly no leftovers because everyone went back for seconds!
Kristen Chidsey
I love that your family enjoyed this so much, even without the meat. I may need to try that myself.
Ashley
Question can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes Ashley, but it won't be quite as flavorful. I would add in a bit more Worcestershire sauce
Ally
This has become a staple for me and my partner! Said partner had the idea to use a packet of taco seasoning instead of the other seasonings, and with some cheese it became one heck of a taco helper!
This recipe is a permanent bookmark, can't live without it!
Kristen Chidsey
Oh great idea--you guys may enjoy my Taco Pasta. I love that this is a staple at your home. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
Natasha
Wondering if I can sub anything for tomato paste? Realizing I don’t have any,and I hate to go to the store just for that 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Natasha! You can use ketchup or omit 🙂 Enjoy!