Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
- to taste salt
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 garlic, minced cloves
- 1/8 cup onion, minced
- 1 3/4 cups macaroni, (most of 2 cups)
- 1 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or deep pan, brown the 1 pound of lean ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
Once the ground beef is fully browned, carefully drain any excess fat from the pot.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Return the pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt completely.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to combine with the melted butter, creating a roux. This will help thicken the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Gradually pour in the 1 cup of water, stirring continuously to prevent lumps until the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Add the 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon of paprika, 1/2 tablespoon of black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Pour in the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and stir until thoroughly combined with the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Stir in the 2 minced garlic cloves and the 1/8 cup of minced onion.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Add the 1 3/4 cups of macaroni to the pot. Stir to ensure the macaroni is fully submerged in the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min
- 10
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 12 min
- 11
Once the macaroni is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Add the 1 cup of shredded Colby jack cheese and the 1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 1 min
- 12
Stir the mixture vigorously until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
⏱️ 2 min
- 13
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Hamburger Helper!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homemade Hamburger Helper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
- to taste salt
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 garlic, minced cloves
- 1/8 cup onion, minced
- 1 3/4 cups macaroni, (most of 2 cups)
- 1 cup Colby jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or deep pan, brown the 1 pound of lean ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
Once the ground beef is fully browned, carefully drain any excess fat from the pot.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Return the pot to the stove over medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt completely.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Sprinkle in the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to combine with the melted butter, creating a roux. This will help thicken the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Gradually pour in the 1 cup of water, stirring continuously to prevent lumps until the mixture is smooth.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Add the 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon of paprika, 1/2 tablespoon of black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Pour in the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and stir until thoroughly combined with the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Stir in the 2 minced garlic cloves and the 1/8 cup of minced onion.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Add the 1 3/4 cups of macaroni to the pot. Stir to ensure the macaroni is fully submerged in the sauce.
⏱️ 1 min - 10
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 12 min - 11
Once the macaroni is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Add the 1 cup of shredded Colby jack cheese and the 1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese.
⏱️ 1 min - 12
Stir the mixture vigorously until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
⏱️ 2 min - 13
Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Hamburger Helper!