Grandma's Hamburger Helper

Take a nostalgic trip back to comforting family dinners with Grandma's Hamburger Helper—a hearty, one-pot recipe that’s as easy as it is delicious. Featuring tender ground beef, sautéed onions and garlic, and a generous blend of paprika and Italian seasoning, this dish is a flavor-packed upgrade from the boxed classic. The magic happens when creamy cheddar cheese melts into the beefy tomato and pasta mixture, creating a rich, velvety sauce that hugs every bite of elbow macaroni. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and satisfying dish is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners at home. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, and get ready to serve a dinner that everyone will rave about.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 2

Drain any excess grease from the pan and return the beef to the skillet.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Step 4

Sprinkle the paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir well to combine the spices.

Step 5

Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet, followed by the beef broth and tomato paste. Stir everything together to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for around 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is cooked through.

Step 7

Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the mixture to cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.

Step 8

Turn off the heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy Grandma's comforting Hamburger Helper!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1908.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3259.5

Total Fat 197.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 105.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 661.1mg	0%
Sodium 6863.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 198.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.3g	0%
Total Sugars 15.0g
Protein 173.4g	0%

Vitamin D 48.0IU	0%
Calcium 1812.1mg	0%
Iron 16.3mg	0%
Potassium 2840.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.5%

Protein: 21.2%

Carbs: 24.3%