How to make easy and delicious homemade Hamburger Helper!
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We parents know the struggle all too well of trying to feed the kids wholesome meals only for them to eat a few bites and then push the rest aside. They’ll act like they’re just so stuffed that they can’t take another bite until dessert time. Sound familiar?
It’s because of times like this that I started collecting different recipes and dinner ideas that even the pickiest of eaters couldn’t resist. One of my (and my daughter’s) favorites is this one for my scrumptious Homemade Hamburger Helper!
This easy DIY hamburger helper has it all! It’s picky-eater and kid-approved, an excellent comfort food, and it’s a 30-minute meal! Perfect for an easy one-pot dinner that can be ready in no time and that everyone can enjoy!
One thing about my homemade hamburger helper is that I like to add peas into mine. They are optional, of course, but I personally like to add vegetables into all my meals. You could also swap those out for another frozen veggie of your choice.
Ready to get a wholesome and satisfying dinner on the table in about 30 minutes? Then let’s get started! Here’s how to make my easy Homemade Hamburger Helper!
Helpful Kitchen Equipment
First, let me give you a helping hand and go over my short and simple equipment list. There’s not a lot needed here, just a few typical kitchen tools and utensils. Here’s what I use to make my simple homemade hamburger helper:
Hamburger Helper Ingredients
Now let’s go over the ingredients. There might be a few more ingredients than you would expect for this DIY hamburger helper but it’s mostly seasonings and typical cooking additions. Here are my ingredients for homemade hamburger helper:
Hamburger Helper:
- 2 lb ground beef
- 16 oz Elbows pasta– uncooked, 1 box
- 32 oz vegetable broth– 1 box
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 10 oz Frozen peas– 1 package, uncooked (optional)
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Garnish:
2 tbsp Parsley– chopped
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper
Now let’s make some dinner magic happen! This process is super easy to follow along with so you can look forward to an easy night with minimum clean-up afterwards to top it all off! Here’s how to make easy homemade hamburger helper:
- First, measure out the hamburger helper ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, begin cooking the ground beef in a deep frying pan.
- Brown the beef over medium-high heat while continuously breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spatula.
- Cook until the beef is completely browned with no pink left at all.
- Next, fit a fine mesh strainer inside a large glass mixing bowl.
- Pour the beef into the strainer to fully drain out the grease.
- Remember to dispose of your grease properly- don’t pour it down the sink!
- Then, return the cooked meat to the pan and add in the uncooked pasta, vegetable broth, and water.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil while occasionally stirring.
- Once boiling, add in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt, and frozen peas, if desired. Mix all of the ingredients together well!
- Cook the hamburger helper, uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Then, immediately add in the shredded cheese and sour cream.
- Mix the pasta dish well, until the cheese and sour cream are completely blended in.
- Finally, garnish your hamburger helper with chopped parsley, serve, and enjoy!
Storing Hamburger Helper
To store homemade hamburger helper: transfer the pasta to a shallow, airtight container or to a heavy-duty Ziploc bag. Label the date on the outside of the container or bag. Store it in the fridge for 3-5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the frozen pasta in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.
Moore Comfort Food Recipes
Quick Dinner Solutions
Loved this quick, easy, and wholesome dinner recipe? Then I have got a treat for you! I’ve got a few more kid-approved pasta recipes along with a few more easy dinners for you to check out. Happy cooking!
More Kid-Friendly Pastas:
- Easy Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli
- Garlic Shrimp Pasta with Spinach
- Quick Chicken Alfredo
- One-Pot Pasta
- Macaroni Salad with Chicken
Easy Dinners:
- Easy Classic Borscht
- Classic Meatloaf
- Stuffed Peppers
- Stuffed Chili Peppers
- Classic Borscht
- Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Quick Proteins and Easy Sides:
- Shrimp on the Grill
- Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Oven-Baked Lobster Tail
- Salmon Steak
- Easy Dinner Rolls
- Easy Way to Cook Rice
- Summer Cucumber Salad
- Easy Coleslaw
- Steamed Asparagus
- Instant Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Instant Pot Whole Potatoes
- Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Mexican Rice
- Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef
- 16 oz Elbows pasta uncooked, 1 box
- 32 oz vegetable broth 1 box
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 10 oz Frozen peas 1 package, uncooked. Optional
- 4 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
Garnish
- 2 tbsp Parsley chopped
Instructions
- First, measure out the hamburger helper ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, begin cooking the ground beef in a deep frying pan.
- Brown the beef over medium-high heat while continuously breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spatula.
- Cook until the beef is completely browned with no pink left at all.
- Next, fit a fine mesh strainer inside a large glass mixing bowl.
- Pour the beef into the strainer to fully drain out the grease.Remember to dispose of your grease properly- don’t pour it down the sink!
- Then, return the cooked meat to the pan and add in the uncooked pasta, vegetable broth, and water.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil while occasionally stirring.
- Once boiling, add in the ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt, and frozen peas, if desired. Mix all of the ingredients together well!
- Cook the hamburger helper, uncovered, over medium heat for 12 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Then, immediately add in the shredded cheese and sour cream.
- Mix the pasta dish well, until the cheese and sour cream are completely blended in.
- Finally, garnish your hamburger helper with chopped parsley, serve, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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