This easy skilletCheeseburger Macaronirecipeis a close re-creation of the Hamburger Helper version but is homemade and doesn’t use processedingredients. We are still keeping it all in one skillet and with simple directions. Useground beeforground turkey…whichever is your family favorite. This is a weeknight comfort food favorite!
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More family favorite meals include Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish and 15 Minute Peanut Curry Sauce.
I’m a 70’s baby and was raised on Kool-aid, margarine, and Hamburger Helper. AND…I’m the oldest of 10. Let’s all agree that the food of the 80’s and 90’s, although terribly unhealthy, was quite budget-friendly. A packet of Kool-aid beats a 6-pack of craft flavored water in the budget department.
Being from such a large family with a very limited budget, it’s no wonder that I grew up on every. single. variety of Hamburger Helper. Seriously! AndCheeseburger Macaroniwas the hands-down favorite variety of my siblings and I.
I’ll admit I still revert back to my childhood eating habits and whip up a package of ramen, show mykidswhat a pitcher of Kool-aid is (they can’t believe people drank that all the time ;)), and make Velvetta dip in the crockpot for football games.I grew up on the stuff (andTater tot Hotdish), guys.
Thank goodness for thehomemade hamburger helper recipe!I love this from-scratchversion of a childhood favorite I am perfectly okay with feeding my family!
KeyIngredientsforcheeseburger macaroni?
- Ground beef. Go ahead and sub outground turkeyor groundchickento keep the fat content down. But, be sure to add a bit of olive oil to the skillet to replace the missing fat you’ll need for cooking theonions.
- Onion
- Garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic you can use ½ teaspoongarlic powderas a sub. Or, ¾ teaspoon of garlicsaltand reduce thesaltby half.
- Evaporated milk. Of course, you don’t have to use evaporated milk if you don’t want to. But the heavier the milk, the creamier thepastawill be. And, frankly, a whole lot closer to the original 80’s version of Hamburger Helper you remember from your childhood. You can sub whole milk or skim, if you prefer.
- Elbow macaroniuncooked. Elbowpastais theclassicchoice. But go all freaky and un-traditional if you like and use rotini or shells or pennepasta.
- Spices.Paprikais one!Paprikais a strange addition, isn’t it. But trust me, it’s what keeps thispastaas close to the original hamburger helpers as possible. Truly, give it a try!
- Cheddar cheese. You can mix up the kind of cheese you use if you like.Cheddar cheesewill keep theflavorclose to the originalrecipe. However, other varieties of cheese are AH-MAZ-ING in this!
Will Hamburger Helper work without milk?
Yes, it will. Depending on what you use to substitute with you may sacrifice a bit of the creaminess but, you should still get a tasty tastydish! Here are some thoughts…
- Partbeef brothand part sour cream
- Evaporated milk diluted with water
- Straightbeef broth(for lactose-free diets) orvegetable broth.
Some possibleflavorchanges to try:
- Stirin ½ a package of cream cheese.
- Use part mozzarella and partpepperjack.
- Use part mozzarella and part parmesan.
- Add greenonions.
- Stirin fresh spinach at the very end.
- Add chopped red and greenpepperswith theonion.
- Add frozenveggies.
- Atirin 1 cup of pureed squash (great way to sneak in nutrition forkids!).
- Add green chili and a dash of red bellpepper.
- Mushrooms! addmushrooms.
- Stirin a can oftomato pasteor a can of dicedtomatoes.
How to make Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper fromScratch:
I love my dutch oven for one-potdishes, like this. It’s large enough that I don’t have to worry about spillover when Istir. You can use alarge skillet, if you prefer. This casserole doesn’t need to bake in the oven so you won’t have to worry about using an oven-proofdish. Just do NOT over-estimate how big your skillet is.(Totally speaking to myself. I am constantly choosing bowls and pans one size too small for what I need. I just can’t seem to learn!)
- Brown theground beefand dicedoniontogether on medium heat. When theground beefis no longerpinkand theonionis transparent (about 8 minutes),drainand add the garlic. Cook for about an additional 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- In a small bowl, mix the spices together. Add the spices to the beef,onion, and garlic. Whisk to incorporate the mixture into the beef.
- Add the elbow noodles and milk.Stirwell with awooden spoon.
- Bring to aboilonmedium-high heat, cover and reduce heat to low.Simmeruntil thepastais tender.
- Remove from heat andstirin thecheddar cheese.
- Serve warm with freshparsley(optional)
Like mostpastadishes, don’t just cover thepanand leave. Be sure to stop by and give the macaroni astironce or twice to make sure it isn’t sticking to the bottom. If you find that it is sticking a bit, add a couple of tablespoons more milk.
Speaking of 80’s food, does anyone remember Velvetta? Oh yes. Please tell me you don’t use that stuff anymore. Let’s move on to real cheese that is made from real milk, can we? Like the sharpcheddar cheesewe put into ourcheeseburger macaroni. No little pouches of powder will go into thisrecipe. No sirree!!
Tofreezeyourcheeseburger macaroni:
After making yourcheeseburger macaroni, put your casserole in afreezerpan. Properly cover and store in thefreezer. The night before you are ready to eat, set your casserole in therefrigeratorto thaw.Stira bit of milk into your thawedpasta(about ¼ cup) add a sprinkle of fresh cheese to the top, and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until hot. If you like, broil thepastafor a couple of minutes to make your cheese bubbling and brown.
Add a sprinkle of choppedparsleyor oregano to the top of the casserole and serve it up with a salad or fruit and you will have a happy, happy family!
Why don’t you gather your family around the table, share the memories of your childhood (I double-dog dare you to tell them about your begging your mom for the Cabbage Patch Dolls!), and treat them to a plate ofCheeseburger Macaroni.
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
| 4 servings
Prep Time | 15 minutes mins
Cook Time | 23 minutes mins
Total Time | 30 minutes mins
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Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni is just like the Hamburger Helper version made up in one pot or skillet. A ground beef recipe the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion diced or sub 1 Tablespoon of onion powder
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder or sub 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 2 teaspoons flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Check out our Kitchen Reference Guide for help with unfamiliar terms.
Instructions
Brown the ground beef and diced onion together on medium heat.
When the ground beef is brown and the onion is transparent (about 8 minutes), add garlic. Cook for about an additional 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant (or skip this step if using garlic powder).
In a small bowl, mix the spices together. Add the spices to the beef, onion, and garlic. Whisk to incorporate the mixture into the beef.
Add the elbow noodles and milk. Stir well.
Bring to a boil on medium-high heat, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook on low for 12 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese.
Serve warm with fresh parsley (optional)
Recipe tester Paulette says:
I found out last minute I was out of regular paprika so I used smoked and it was fabulous!
This recipe was fast and fabulous! I gave it to my son and he used it for his family’s supper.
He said it reminded him of the old Hamburger helper meals only a whole lot better. And he wants the recipe.
Learn more about recipe testing…
