Hamburger helper is much better when it doesn’t come from a box! This is a great one-pot dish perfect for the whole family. The cheesy, ground beef-filled pasta is a comforting meal for bone chilling nights.
Prep time: PT5M
Cook time: PT20M
Rating
4.83 stars (23 reviews)
Keywords
30 minute meal, beef, cheddar, childhood favorite, ground beef, pasta
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, (diced)
2 cloves garlic, (chopped)
1 pound (80/20) ground beef
Kosher salt, (as needed)
Freshly ground black pepper, (as needed)
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
3½ cups beef stock
½ pound pipe rigate or elbow pasta
⅓ cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons diced chives, (divided)
Categories
pasta
Cuisine
American
Steps
Heat a large pot over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the tomato paste and chili powder.
Add the beef stock and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes (the cooking time may differ depending on the pasta shape).
Remove from heat and stir in the cream, Cheddar cheese and half the chives, stirring until the cheese has melted.
Ladle into bowls and serve topped with the remaining chives.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 836 kcal
Carbohydrates: 56 g
Protein: 52 g
Fat: 44 g
Saturated Fat: 20 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 116 mg
Sodium: 36332 mg
Sugar: 25 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Reviews
Gabrielle on 2026-05-12 (5 stars): As a professional cook, I had to come and give props to this recipe. It’s really well written and uses the best techniques for achieving that perfect consistency.
I added a lil bit of Worcestershire and it was fabulous! Can’t wait to make it again and play around with it a bit : )
Thanks for sharing!
Ann on 2026-01-22 (5 stars): Love it!!!
Shawn on 2026-01-14 (5 stars): The instructions missed adding the 1/3 cup of heavy cream, I added it right before the pasta was cooked to al dente to heat the cream. Then removed from heat and added the cheese. This worked well. Great tasting recipe. Will try again.
Claire Brazeau on 2026-01-09 (1 stars): I don’t intend to come back here if you can fix your page. It’s 2025 & having a page that works like it’s 1980 is unacceptable
Martha Spencer on 2025-12-29 (5 stars): My husband loved this the first time I made it and has requested I make it again for meal prep this week. SO yummy and easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing!
Angela on 2025-12-02 (5 stars): We really enjoyed this recipe! Perfect for a snowy day, filling and comforting. We used Monterey cheese we got as a Christmas present, we will definitely be making this classy Hamburger Helper again. Thank you for recipe!
Aipl Lake City on 2025-10-28 (5 stars): Loved this hamburger recipe — it’s so good! I really liked it!
Holly on 2025-10-14 (5 stars): I made this for the first time today. My husband and I loved it! Exceptionally better than any box meal and of course I know exactly what went into it. It was such a hit, I know we will be eating it again soon.
Lamont Ervin on 2025-10-13 (5 stars): Better than the store brand 10 out of 10
Lamont Ervin on 2025-10-13 (5 stars): Better than the store brand 10 out of 10
