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Easy Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper Recipe 5 Ingredients Perfect for Dinner

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A quick and comforting homemade cheesy hamburger helper made with just five simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (200g)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200g)
  • 2 cups milk (480ml), whole or 2%
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: frozen peas, diced bell peppers, or fresh diced tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned and no longer pink, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well to coat evenly.
  3. Add elbow macaroni and milk to the skillet. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is submerged in milk.
  4. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the milk.
  5. Remove lid and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot pasta and beef. Stir gently until cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Add a splash more milk if a thinner sauce is desired.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. If sauce is too thick, stir in a little warm milk.
  7. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother sauce. If pasta isn’t soft after simmering, add more milk and cook a few minutes longer. Cover skillet tightly during simmer to prevent dry pasta. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy hamburger helper, homemade hamburger helper, easy dinner, ground beef recipe, comfort food, quick meals, 5 ingredient recipe

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