Hamburger Helper Beef Taco Cheese Copycat

Recreate the nostalgic comfort of store-bought Hamburger Helper with this irresistible homemade twist! Our Hamburger Helper Beef Taco Cheese Copycat recipe combines tender ground beef, savory taco spices, and creamy cheddar cheese in one skillet for a quick and satisfying meal. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni soaks up a rich, cheese-infused sauce, enhanced by subtle hints of paprika, cumin, and chili powder for a flavorful Tex-Mex flair. Ready in just 35 minutes, this family-friendly dinner is as easy as it is delicious, with minimal cleanup required. Customize it with your favorite taco toppings—like fresh cilantro or diced avocado—and enjoy a hearty, one-pan dish that’s sure to become a weeknight staple.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground beef
• 1.5 cups Elbow macaroni
• 1.5 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 ounces Cream cheese
• 1.5 cups Milk
• 2 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.

Step 2

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary and return the skillet to the stove.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the taco seasoning mix.

Step 4

Sprinkle the taco seasoning mix over the cooked beef. Stir well to evenly coat the beef in the spices.

Step 5

Add the milk, water, and uncooked elbow macaroni to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the macaroni cook according to the package instructions (about 8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and cream cheese until fully melted and combined.

Step 8

If needed, sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to thicken the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Remove the skillet from heat.

Step 10

Serve your homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Taco Cheese hot, garnished with additional shredded cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or your favorite taco toppings if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1723.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2868.3

Total Fat 179.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4g
Cholesterol 571.3mg	0%
Sodium 4131.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 162.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 25.7g
Protein 158.5g	0%

Vitamin D 197.0IU	0%
Calcium 1829.4mg	0%
Iron 17.5mg	0%
Potassium 2082.4mg	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: 55.7%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 22.4%