Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper
Indulge in this Easy Homemade Hamburger Helper, a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring extra lean ground beef and hearty elbow macaroni, this recipe combines rich flavors from tomato paste and spices for a satisfying dish. Topped with freshly grated cheddar cheese, it creates a creamy, cheesy goodness that everyone will love. With a prep and cook time of just about 30 minutes, it’s quick and convenient. Serve it up for a delicious family dinner that’s sure to please!
Ingredients:
1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
3 cups beef broth
2 cups freshly grated cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large soup pot, combine extra lean ground beef and chopped onion. Cook over medium-high heat for about 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently to brown the beef evenly. If there’s excess fat, spoon it out.
2. Mix in tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder, stirring well to combine.
3. Pour in the beef broth and raise the heat to high. Once it begins to boil, add the uncooked elbow macaroni.
4. Reduce the heat to a rapid simmer (medium heat works well). Cook uncovered for 13-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir every few minutes to prevent sticking.
5. While the pasta cooks, grate fresh cheddar cheese to save prep time.
6. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the grated cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
Notes:
Serves 4-6, depending on portion size.
If you find the dish is running low on liquid before the pasta is done, add more beef broth (1/2 cup at a time) to prevent sticking.
EasyRecipe, HomemadeHamburgerHelper, OnePotMeal, GroundBeef, ComfortFood, PastaDish, CheddarCheese, FamilyDinner, QuickDinner, 30MinuteMeal