Scrunchies, denim overalls, and chokers may be in again, but I’m bringing the food of the 90’s back with homemade hamburger helper! As a twin mom, tasks take a little longer, and become a little harder. So, I’m all about easy and quick recipes. This one is no different-another one of my minimal effort, delicious meals! I should also mention that it is so much better than the real thing, and it’s budget friendly!
A few tips for this recipe:
- Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- You can add more seasoning, if you’d like. My seasoning is a guideline, most of the time I eyeball it!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups Beef stock
- 2 cups Elbow pasta
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef. Drain the beef, if there is liquid, then add seasonings. Add the onion, and cook until translucent.
- Stir in tomato sauce, milk, beef stock. Mix, then add elbow pasta. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
- Stir in cheddar cheese until melted.
Anyone else feeling nostalgic, with this hamburger helper recipe? What food of the 90’s do you miss?
Like this recipe? Check out some simple recipes I love!
Here are some items to help you make this easy and delicious meal:


Just made this for dinner, it was easy, quick, and delicious!! My boyfriend was skeptical because of his bad experiences with boxed hamburger helper, he loved it!
That’s great to hear! So glad he enjoyed it!
I accidentally read 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1 1/2 cups of broth 🤦 instead of 1/2 for each. After straining off some of the liquids it came out well! Next time I’ll pay better attention! (Which is hard with littles) thank you!
Ah! I’m glad it still worked out. I’ve definitely done that with recipes before.
Is it supposed to be one and one half cups of stock and milk each or a half cup of stock and milk each?
It is 1/2 of each. I’m so sorry – I see how this looks confusing. The way the recipe block is formatted requires me to establish a “quantity”. So, in this case it is (1) of a half cup. So, for another example if you needed (2) 15 oz cans of tomato sauce.
Thank you!