My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper

My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe brings back all those cozy, comforting vibes from family dinners. This homemade twist on a classic favorite is just as easy and delicious, with a rich, creamy sauce and hearty turkey that’ll make you feel right at home. It’s the perfect dish to whip up for a quick weeknight meal or to share a taste of nostalgia with loved ones. Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Beef Option.

I’ve got to confess, I still get a serious craving for My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper every now and then. But honestly, the boxed stuff just doesn’t do it for me anymore. This homemade version is way better, and believe it or not, it’s my kid’s absolute favorite—he even loves it more than mac and cheese!

This hamburger helper captures all the nostalgic flavors of the boxed kind but with a richer, fresher taste. It’s creamy, cheesy, and hearty—all the comfort in every bite! Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder ready in just 30 minutes. I like to use turkey instead of beef, but feel free to swap it for beef if that’s your thing, and it’s easy to make gluten-free too. For more cozy comfort food, check out my Chicken Enchilada Skillet, Chicken Parmesan or Three Cheese Everything Pizza Bagel Bites!

What Is A Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger Helper is a classic American boxed meal kit that combines pasta with a savory sauce and ground meat, typically beef. It's known for being quick, easy, and budget-friendly, making it a go-to for busy weeknight dinners. While the boxed version is convenient, I’m all about making a homemade version that's just as easy but way more delicious!

Why You Will LOVE My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper

• Nostalgic flavors --- Brings back all the cozy childhood memories with every bite.
• So flavorful, creamy + comforting. The rich, cheesy sauce is pure comfort in a bowl.
• One pot wonder! Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
• A guaranteed hit with the little ones, just like it was back in the day!
• Totally customizable --- change the meat or make it dairy-free or gluten-free!

How To Make My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper

Start by sautéing the meat and onions until the meat is browned and the onions are tender. Next, stir in the beef broth and uncooked pasta, bringing it to a boil. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Add the heavy cream and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Finally, mix in the shredded cheese and stir until melted + creamy.

Ingredients

HAMBURGER HELPER:

• Ground turkey. I use organic 94% lean. (You can also do this with ground beef, if desired)
• Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
• Onion. Chopped. Adds a savory base flavor and sweetness when sautéed.
• Tomato paste. A rich, tomatoey depth to the dish.
• Smoked paprika. Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor.
• Garlic powder. A subtle garlic flavor without being overpowering.
• Chili powder. Add as little or as much as you like.
• Uncooked shortcut pasta. I like to use medium shells, elbow pasta, or Lumache pasta.
• Organic beef broth. You can also sub with chicken or vegetable stock.
• Heavy cream. I love using organic wherever possible for the best quality.
• Cheddar cheese. Freshly shredded.
• Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Hamburger Helper recipe. Everything from my fave pots, skillets, dutch ovens, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Can I Use Beef Instead Of Turkey?

Yes, you can absolutely use beef instead of turkey! Beef is actually more traditional for this dish, but I used turkey in my version. Feel free to use whatever you prefer or have on hand—it’ll be delicious either way!

Can I Make This Hamburger Helper Dairy-Free?

To make this dish dairy-free, you’ve got a couple of easy swaps. Just use dairy-free shredded cheese instead of regular cheddar cheese to keep it creamy + cheesy. For the heavy cream, swap it out with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. This will give your dish a lovely richness!

Can I Use A Different Type of Pasta?

Absolutely, you can switch up the type of pasta if you like! While you can use pretty much any pasta you have on hand, short pasta is really the way to go for this dish. Think medium shells, elbow macaroni, or Lumache—these shapes grab onto that creamy sauce perfectly, making every bite rich and flavorful.

Long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine might not hold the sauce as well, so you might miss out on that satisfying, saucy goodness. For the best results and that classic taste, stick with short pasta and enjoy every creamy, cheesy bite!

What To Eat + Serve Homemade Hamburger Helper With?

When it comes to most pasta dishes (including this Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe), I often enjoy them with a side of bread of some sort. Most times, I make my own homemade Garlic Bread, however, you can choose to spruce things up with many other options such as:

• A delicious salad-- Try Smashed cucumber salad, Quinoa Salad or Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad
• Greens like asparagus , green beans or brussels sprouts
• Grilled veggies
• Texas Toast Garlic Bread
• Serve as part of a table spread!

Here's the thing. This Hamburger Helper recipe is so luxurious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the cheesy creamy sauce with the classic short pasta is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!

Who Invented Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger Helper was invented by General Mills and hit the shelves in 1971. The idea was to make mealtime a breeze for busy families by turning ground beef into a hearty, complete meal with just a few simple steps. It was all about convenience—helping you whip up something tasty and filling with minimal fuss.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe Q + A's

More Nostalgic Favorite Recipes

If you loved this Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe and want to enjoy more childhood faves try these recipes next:

• Creamy Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup
• Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
• Maple Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken
• Baked White Mac + Cheese with Bacon
• Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper

August 26, 2024 •

By Shanika

No ratings yet

My Childhood Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe brings back all those cozy, comforting vibes from family dinners. This homemade twist on a classic favorite is just as easy and delicious, with a rich, creamy sauce and hearty turkey that’ll make you feel right at home. It’s the perfect dish to whip up for a quick weeknight meal or to share a taste of nostalgia with loved ones. Gluten-free, Dairy-free + Beef Option.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 25 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Serves: 4 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

HAMBURGER HELPER:

• 1 lb. organic 94% lean ground turkey (You can also do this with ground beef, if desired)
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2-3 Tbsps organic tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup uncooked shortcut pasta (I like to use medium shells, elbow pasta, or Lumache pasta)
• 2 cups organic beef broth (You can also sub with chicken or vegetable stock)
• 1 cup organic heavy cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• sea salt + black pepper, to taste

Instructions

SAUTE THE MEAT + ONIONS:

• In a large dutch pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the ground meat and onions, sautéing everything until the turkey meat has browned, about 8-10 minutes-----breaking up the meat using a wooden spoon as your stir. NOTE: Turkey meat tends to produce a lot of liquid fat, so be sure to drain it out before proceeding.

TO MAKE THE HAMBURGER HELPER:

• Add the tomato paste, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder, stirring to combine.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and add in the beef stock/broth and uncooked pasta, stirring everything to combine. Allow everything to boil (stirring occasionally) until pasta is tender and most of liquid has been absorbed and reduced, about 11-14 minutes.
• Add the heavy cream and stir to combine and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.
• Finally, add the shredded cheese and stir and cook until cheese has melted and the sauce is velvety. Add salt + black pepper, to taste. Remove from heat and serve immediately!
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated when ready to serve. To re-heat, add each serving to the oven, microwave, or stovetop until warmed through. 
• DAIRY FREE OPTION: To make this dish, simply substitute cheese with dairy-free shreds and substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk/cream.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To ensure that this recipe is GF, be sure to use GF-friendly pasta, stock/broth, as well as heavy cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 681kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 28g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 208mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1966IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 471mg | Iron: 2mg

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