Description
Comforting homemade hamburger helper brings nostalgic childhood flavors to dinner tables across America. Hearty ground beef, creamy sauce, and tender pasta combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Liquids, Seasonings, and Pasta:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (8 ounces/227 grams) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces (227 grams) pasta of choice (farfalle)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbs. Transfer meat to a plate, keeping 2 tablespoons of drippings in the pan.
- Sauté diced onions and bell peppers in the reserved drippings for 4-5 minutes until they become translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Dust vegetables with flour, stirring continuously for 1 minute to create a golden roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Slowly pour beef broth into the skillet, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Incorporate tomato sauce and season with oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Submerge pasta completely in the liquid, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12-14 minutes. Stir periodically and add extra broth if the mixture becomes too dry.
- Once pasta reaches desired tenderness, reduce heat and blend in heavy cream, cheddar, and Velveeta. Stir until cheeses melt into a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Reintroduce the reserved ground beef to the skillet, mixing thoroughly. Warm for an additional 2-3 minutes to ensure even temperature.
- Garnish with optional fresh herbs and serve immediately while hot and bubbling.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend.
- Customize vegetables by adding mushrooms or zucchini for extra nutrition and flavor complexity.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or smoked gouda for unique taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg