Description
This Hamburger Helper recipe is a quick and comforting one-pot meal featuring seasoned ground beef, macaroni pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines simple pantry ingredients to create a flavorful, cheesy pasta dish cooked entirely on the stovetop in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasonings
- 1 pound 93/7 ground beef
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Cooking and Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour or 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups beef stock, chicken stock, or hot water (combination preferred)
- 1½ cups milk
- 8 ounces macaroni pasta
- 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
Serving
- Minced fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up continuously with a wooden spoon until fully browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the beef to a colander placed over a bowl to drain excess fat.
- Season and Make Roux: Return the drained beef to the pot. Stir in tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper until evenly combined. Add the butter and cook while stirring until melted, about 1 minute. Then, sprinkle in the flour and stir thoroughly to combine, cooking for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the beef or chicken stock (or a mix) and the milk, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni pasta. Cook while stirring constantly for about 6 minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens.
- Finish with Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Serve hot, garnished with minced fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute flour with cornstarch (use half the amount) for a gluten-free thickening option.
- Using a combination of beef and chicken stock enhances the flavor complexity.
- Keep stirring when adding pasta to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika.
