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Creamy One-Pot Hamburger Helper

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A comforting, creamy, and cheesy one-pot hamburger helper recipe made from scratch, perfect for quick and easy family dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (200g)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth (720ml), low-sodium recommended
  • 1 cup milk (240ml), whole milk preferred
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (170g)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (28g)
  • 2 tablespoons flour (15g)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  2. Add chopped onion to the beef and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Push beef mixture to one side of the pan. Melt butter in the empty side, then sprinkle flour over butter and whisk quickly to form a smooth roux, about 2 minutes.
  4. Gradually pour in beef broth and milk while stirring constantly. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add elbow macaroni directly into the sauce. Stir well, cover, and simmer over low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender but slightly firm.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika.

Notes

If the sauce becomes too thick while simmering, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it. Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking. Add cheese off the heat to avoid grainy texture. Use whole or 2% milk for best creaminess. Variations include swapping ground beef for turkey or chicken, adding veggies during sauté, or using dairy-free alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, hamburger helper, creamy, easy dinner, ground beef, comfort food, quick meal, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-one-pot-hamburger-helper-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-ideas/