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Easy Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper Recipe for Quick Family Meals

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A quick and easy homemade cheesy hamburger helper that is creamy, hearty, and perfect for busy family dinners. Made from scratch with simple pantry staples, it offers a comforting and customizable meal without preservatives.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni
  • 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp (16 g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup (75 g) diced bell peppers or frozen peas

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no pink remains (6-8 minutes). Season with salt and pepper halfway through. Drain excess fat if desired.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in butter until melted, then sprinkle in flour. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Slowly whisk in milk and beef broth, blending well with the flour mixture. Stir until sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add onion powder and garlic powder. Stir in dry elbow macaroni and optional veggies if using.
  5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender.
  6. Remove lid and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Add more milk if sauce is too thick.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or extra cheese.

Notes

Whisk liquids slowly to avoid lumps. Brown beef well for flavor. Stir pasta gently to avoid breaking. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. Adjust seasoning at every stage. Add splash of milk if sauce thickens too much during cooking or reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy hamburger helper, homemade hamburger helper, quick family meals, ground beef pasta, creamy beef pasta, easy dinner recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-homemade-cheesy-hamburger-helper-recipe-for-quick-family-meals/