How To Make Homemade Hamburger Helper!!!!

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while processed cheese is often cheaper.

beef broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth is lower in fat, and bouillon is a cost-effective alternative.

elbow macaroni

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: pasta of choice

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber, while other pasta types may be more affordable.

Start with 1.5 lbs of ground beef (80/20) in a skillet.

Add seasoning: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp beef powder.

Break up the ground beef while cooking until fine chunks remain.

Optionally drain excess oil from the beef.

Add 2 tbsp of tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.

Stir in 8 oz of tomato sauce and 5 cups of beef stock.

Add 2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce and 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard, mixing well.

Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning as needed.

Add 1/2 cup of room temperature whipping cream and stir.

Add 1 lb of elbow macaroni to the mixture and stir to combine.

Cook for about 15 minutes, checking for pasta tenderness.

After 15 minutes, test the macaroni for doneness.

Add 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese and 3 tbsp of cream cheese, stirring to combine.

Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring not to overcook the noodles.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens