Classic Hamburger Helper (From Scratch)
A creamy, comforting one pot pasta made completely from scratch with ground beef, simple pantry staples, and plenty of melty cheese. This homemade take on classic Hamburger Helper is family friendly and kid approved.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ancho chili powder
- 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1½ tsp salt
- 6 cups chicken stock unsalted or low sodium
- 1 cup crushed roasted tomatoes or marinara
- 1 lb pasta any short shape
- 3 cups shredded cheese cheddar plus another melting cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat with a 1/2 tsp salt. Allow the ground beef to cook until it has caramelized and you see some crispy brown bits. Remove beef from pot and place into a bowl. (see note 1)
- To the pot, add onion and cook for a few minutes. Then add the smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, and salt. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add in the distilled white vinegar, worcestershire, the chicken stock, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
- Add pasta, cover, and cook about 12 minutes or according to package directions, stirring once or twice.
- Turn off heat. Stir in shredded cheese until melted, then fold in sour cream until creamy. This thickens up more as it cools.
- Taste, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve warm.
Notes
- Note 1: Removing the beef from the pan keep the beef a little crispy. However if you don't want to take this extra step, you can leave the beef in the pan and move on with the rest of the recipe.
- Use shells, elbows, or rotini since those tend to hold the sauce the best.
- Greek yogurt can replace sour cream and adds a little extra protein
- Add spinach or peas at the end for extra veggies and color
- Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.
- One serving, based on 6 servings total, has about 620 calories, 34 grams of protein, and roughly 3 to 4 grams of fiber.
