Homemade Hamburger Helper with Cheeese
Macaroni cooks the quickest, especially if you're using the small macaroni. If you're using different pasta like rotini or penne, cooking time will be longer. Want more meat and cheese? Then cook a little less pasta. And extra salt and pepper really brings out the flavors!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 448kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) macaroni
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil (or as needed depending on the fat percentage of your beef)
- 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion , chopped (or 1 teaspoon onion powder)
- 3-4 cloves garlic , minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 15 ounces (425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt , or more to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sugar
- 2-3 cups (226-340 g) shredded cheddar cheese , depending on your preferred cheesiness
- minced parsley for topping , optional
Instructions
- Cook macaroni to package instructions, drain, then set aside.
- Heat large skillet on medium-high heat. Add about 1 teaspoon of olive oil and then add the ground beef. Break up beef and cook until nearly cooked through, about 3 minutes.
- Then add onions and garlic (or onion powder & garlic powder) and cook until onions and garlic are softened, about 2 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Add about 15 oz. tomato sauce, 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir to evenly combine.
- Bring beef and sauce to a low simmer for about 3 minutes for all the flavors to combine. Taste the beef sauce and add any additional seasonings if needed.
- Fold in the pasta and then add the 2-3 cups of grated cheese a little at a time until everything combines and cheese melts. Add additional cheese on top if you want and minced parsley. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 797mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 2.5mg