Grown Up Hamburger Helper – One Pot Meal

A warm and comforting one pot pasta with browned beef, golden onions, silky sauce, and a cheesy finish that tastes even better than the classic.

This grown up Hamburger Helper is one of my favorite one pot meals because it is incredibly easy and always turns out cozy and flavorful. Everything happens in the same pan, from softening the onions to cooking the pasta, so cleanup is simple and the sauce gets richer with every step.

How I Make It

Start by letting the onions cook slowly until they turn soft and golden. Add the beef on top and break it apart as it browns. I like using my Dutch oven for this because it cooks the pasta evenly and keeps the sauce from scorching.

Pour in a splash of wine to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pot and stir until everything lifts. Add the spices and mix well so the beef and onions are fully coated and the pot smells warm and savory.

Then pour in the broth and cream to create the base of the sauce. Stir in the dry pasta and let it cook right in that liquid until the noodles are tender and the sauce has thickened. Turn off the heat and add the cheese a handful at a time, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.

It reminds me of the boxed dinner I used to love growing up in the 90s, only this one has so much more flavor and feels like real homemade comfort on a busy night.

👇🏻 If you want to see the whole process step by step, I walk through the full recipe in my YouTube video and you can find it here:

One Pot Grown Up Hamburger Helper

5 from 2 votes

A creamy one pot grown up Hamburger Helper made with ground beef, caramelized onions, broth, cream, pasta, and melted cheese. Cozy, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients

  

• 1½ pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup wine or 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar mixed with ⅓ cup water
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce or tomato paste for a milder flavor
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 2 bay leaves optional
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 3 cups shredded cheeses a mix of cheddar and another melty cheese like gouda
• 1 pound pasta shape of choice

Method

 

1. Add a little oil or butter to a large pot and cook the diced onion over medium heat until soft and lightly golden.
2. Add the ground beef and cook until most of the pink is gone.
3. Add the garlic and cook for about thirty seconds.
4. Pour in the wine or the vinegar and water mixture and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Stir in the hot sauce or tomato paste, chili powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
6. Pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
7. Stir in the dry pasta. Cover and cook twelve to fifteen minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is thick. Add a splash of liquid if it reduces too quickly.
8. Remove the bay leaves. Turn off the heat and add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and creamy.
9. Rest the skillet for a couple minutes so the sauce thickens before serving.

Video

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