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The BEST Homemade Hamburger Helper

My easy homemade Hamburger Helper recipe with cheesy pasta and tomato sauce is ready in 30 minutes and so good you'll never go back to the box.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 460 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound ground 85 percent lean ground beef
  • ½ medium onion chopped
  • 2 cups chicken or beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 ½ cups dry rotini noodles
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups medium cheddar cheese shredded
  • fresh parsley for serving

Instructions
 

  • Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef. Break into chunks with a wooden spoon and cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes.
  • Add onion and cook for another 5 minutes or until beef is cooked through and onion is softened.
  • Add broth, water, ketchup, tomato paste, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Add macaroni and bring to a boil then reduce to simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until macaroni is al dente and liquid has reduced.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in another pan over medium-high heat. Add flour and whisk for 1-2 minutes or until flour is cooked through. Add milk and whisk until smooth. Cook until sauce begins to thicken, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
  • Add cheese sauce to hamburger and noodle mixture and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Notes

This cheeseburger macaroni can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Keyword macaroni and cheese