Homemade Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole)
This one-pot Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole is a delicious version of Homemade Hamburger Helper we all loved as kids. It’s an easy and delicious budget-friendly dinner idea. Your family will love this easy weeknight dinner recipe. It is so much better than the boxed version!
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Good old Hamburger Helper. During my college days, I was the designated cook of our apartment. Of course, I happily volunteered for that job. Total no-brainer because I loved to cook.
My roommates were pretty cool. We all got along so well and always split the grocery bill up equally. There were times though, when school was hectic and we needed a quick meal option. That’s when I first tried Hamburger Helper. We loved it. It was our go-to quick college meal on a budget.
But, little did I know in my younger college-age days how unhealthy it was for you. Did you ever read the nutritional information on the box? Anyway, once my 20-something self realized just how unhealthy it was, I stopped buying it. But I always craved it.
So, fast forward to married life. The time when I really broadened my culinary horizons and started experimenting with different foods and recipes. I was also looking for meal ideas for busy weeknights.
But I was still craving the Hamburger Helper that I refused to buy. I needed a solution to solve this craving so I created my own homemade version of this favorite recipe that is even more delicious and much better for you. It’s an easy dinner idea with simple ingredients that is much better for you than a box of Hamburger Helper.
Homemade hamburger helper is a delicious beef pasta entree! It’s made with pantry staples that you most likely have in your pantry like macaroni noodles, brown ground beef, cheddar cheese and additional ingredients.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make this Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe?
Lean ground beef (you can also substitute ground turkey)
Onion, chopped
Dried parsley
Garlic powder
Milk
Beef broth, beef stock or beef bouillon cubes
Diced tomatoes, undrained
Uncooked elbow macaroni
Cheddar Cheese
How Do I Make Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper?
I call this Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole even though it is not baked in the oven. Grab your large skillet. This recipe gets bonus points for being a one-pot meal. One-pot meals are a real time-saver in the kitchen. Less mess to wash is A-OK in my book. Who doesn’t love easy dinner ideas? This recipe is definitely one of my reader favorites.
This hearty meal makes a lot too. I love a good macaroni dish and this one is my family’s favorite. Your whole family will love this quick dinner recipe. It’s classic comfort food in my book.
As a cheese lover, this dish really satisfies. As a beef lover, this dish really satisfies. As a pasta lover, this dish …..well, you get the picture. It’s good. Like, REALLY good!
Try These Easy Weeknight Meals
Save this homemade hamburger helper beef pasta. Pin the homemade hamburger helper recipe image below to your favorite Pinterest board.
Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole
This one-pot Cheeseburger Skillet Casserole is just like that boxed cheeseburger macaroni we all loved as kids, but only better because it is homemade. This beef pasta hamburger helper is an easy and delicious budget-friendly dinner idea. It is so much better than the box mix!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 3/4 cup onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cup beef broth
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Homemade hamburger helper is a delicious beef pasta entree!
- Heat a large skillet (10-inch skillet) with vegetable oil over medium high heat. Add ground beef, onions and seasoning. Cook until ground beef is browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in tomatoes, milk, beef broth and uncooked macaroni. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes on low until pasta is tender and liquid is evapoated.
- Stir in cheddar cheese just before serving.
Love this!! Hamburger Helper is one of my guilty pleasures too and I’m always looking for ways to make from scratch versions of these family favorites. This recipe is perfect! Thank you for sharing!!
Love easy one pot meals and this looks so yummy. I’m a big pasta and cheese lover so this sounds perfect. Can’t wait to give this a go.
My whole family loved this! Such an easy dinner, thanks.
This looks like a yummy version of Hamburger Helper! My kids just love it, but I rarely make it because it is so salty! Can’t wait to try your version!
I love making casserole as they are so easy ! This looks and sounds so flavorful and perfect.for will brunch! Yum
Have been meaning to try this for awhile. Finally got a chance and I’m so glad I did. It’s delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you like it. It is one of our favorite recipes.
Made this tonight and it was a huge hit: we will definitely make this again! I had never heard of Hamburger Helper (probably not a product found in France) but we LOVE how it tastes and I love how easy it is to make! Thank you for this great recipe!
I am so glad you liked it.
Is there a way not to print the image? I print out my favorite recipes in case of internet outage while cooking.
I have made this twice, very tasty. Second time I used a veg peeler and substituted some slivers of smoked gouda 1/4 ish Cup really good also. Along with the cheddar of course! Oh also diced fire roasted tomatoes.
Great idea! It sounds yummy.
Hi Melissa, I cooked this tonight with 1/2 ground venison and 1/2 ground chuck.
GF….. It was fantastic. I used rotel diced tomatoes (mild) and canned sliced mushrooms.
I All I had on hand was velveeta and shredded sharp cheddar. Omitted most of all the salt and used extra onion powder and extra minced garlic. Thanks for sharing this favorite of mine. I’m cutting this boxed meals completely this yr. 2022!! Homemade 100%!!!
P. S. I am from the deep south, Alabama, I am a lil jelli about the 900 acre farm you have. However I love the country life here on my little 5 acres of great hunting land!!! Hence the deer meat!!!
Happy New Year!!
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