Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef (Printable Version)
Savor creamy macaroni, ground beef, and rich cheddar for an easy, nostalgic weeknight meal everyone will love.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
500 g extra lean ground beef (minimum 90% lean)
02 -
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely diced (about 150 g)
03 -
2 tablespoons tomato paste
04 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
06 -
250 g elbow macaroni, uncooked
07 -
720 ml beef broth
08 -
180 g sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
09 -
Salt, to taste
10 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# Steps to Cook:
01 -
Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon. Sauté until beef is browned and onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if present.
02 -
Stir in tomato paste, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to coat beef and onion evenly.
03 -
Pour in beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then add uncooked macaroni. Stir well, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
04 -
While the pasta cooks, grate the cheddar cheese. Once pasta is ready, reduce heat to low and stir in grated cheddar until fully melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
05 -
Divide immediately among bowls, garnishing with additional cheddar if desired. Serve hot.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
For optimal creaminess, always grate your own cheddar instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
02 -
Adjust the broth quantity as needed during cooking; if the pasta absorbs liquid too quickly, add extra broth in 60 ml increments.
03 -
Feel free to incorporate finely chopped spinach or bell pepper during the last few minutes of cooking for added vegetables.