Homemade Hamburger Helper
This simple recipe for Homemade Hamburger Helper is made with ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and tender noodles, yet still comes together in one pan and in less than 30 minutes.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey)
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 3 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth + ½ cup more as needed
- 2 cups dried macaroni noodles
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet or stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat for 30-60 seconds. Once heated, add the ground beef and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces as it browns. Once the beef has fully browned, remove the pan from the heat to drain off excess grease, if needed.
- Add tomato paste, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pan. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring to coat the meat with the tomato paste and seasonings.
- Stir in the tomato sauce and beef broth, turn the heat to medium-high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the liquid comes to a gentle boil, stir in the macaroni and turn the heat to medium-low.
- Simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked through and the sauce is absorbed. If needed, add up to ½ cup more broth if the liquid evaporates before the noodles are tender.
- Once the noodles are tender, turn off the heat and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Taste, adjust seasonings if needed, then serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Ground Beef: Feel free to use ground turkey or ground chicken in place of ground beef.
Homemade Cheeseburger Helper: Add 2 cups of freshly grated cheddar cheese to the dish along with the Worcestershire sauce, stirring until the cheese has fully melted into the dish.
Gluten-Free Version: For best results, use Barilla brand of Gluten-Free elbow noodles and ensure beef stock/broth and Worcestershire Sauce are gluten-free.
Storage: Store cooled leftovers in airtight container for 3 days in the refrigerator or in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight if needed. Reheat in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl covered with a damp paper towel, adding a slash of broth or water if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 920mg | Potassium: 761mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2.7mg
