Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on a SEALING position. I add an additional teaspoon of chili powder- but very little tweaking needed. Ive made it and when we reheated it I had to add a little cream to thin it out. Flavor was good, but my liquid-to-noodle ratio mustve been off. i am honored to join your team i am honored to join your team. By draining your ground beef, you are getting rid of some fats and water from it, and if you dont drain it off, the meal you are preparing might not taste well. . Then, you can spoon the grease out of the pan or use a colander to drain the grease. I sprinkled a little chopped fresh parsley over the pasta to brighten it up for the pictures. Also may try adding more seasoning to the meat when browning. My family cant get enough of this homemade hamburger helper and I know you are going to love it too! To reheat,thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave or heat on the stove until warmed through. Stir constantly. Everything came out perfect! While cheddar is my preference for this recipe (it melts well and the lightly sharp flavor gives the sauce dimension), you can swap another melty cheese of your choice. Cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the sauce thickens. Within 2 hours the fat would have thickened. You can experiment with swapping in gluten free noodles. Stir in onion, and, stirring regularly, cook until just softened, about 3 minutes. I keep mine on the lower end. I would not recommend trying to make this homemade hamburger helper recipe ahead. Put the oil in a container or put tin foil in a jar and scoop the oil into it. Bring to a boil. Add the garlic and let cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. By using our site, you agree to our. This one right here is a whole nother level; handmade cavatelli pasta, freshly ground beef straight from the butchers block, decadent sour cream, and you can't forget the sharp cheddar cheese. This dish is rich. Then, put the pan on the gas top. Dash because I had no onion nor onion powder on hand and I also did not have mustard (I dont care for mustard and dont stock it) In place of beef broth I used beef bouillon cubes following the instructions on the packaging. At this point, the pasta should be al dente. Then, put the pan on the gas top. % of people told us that this article helped them. Might 2x the dry ingredients and 1.5x the liquid next time. All rights reserved. I cooked the noodles separately and didnt use beef broth and just combined everything at the end. The Well Plated Cookbook is now available! Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds. he tin foil added will make it easier for you to dispose of the grease and easily clean the jar. Use the same spoon you used in stirring the ground beef initially to move the cooked beef to the side of the pan. Of course a few more steps than the boxed version but so much more flavor! Hi Haley! Step 2: Drain ground beef, and return to skillet. Thats awesome, Frankie! Too much liquid at the end, was more soupy than what our family prefers. Garnish with cheese and parsley, if desired. Instant Pot Directions. Erin did a phenomenal job by creating the recipe as she did and I want to honor her creativity not criticize what she did that I didnt and wouldnt. Stir in cheese. Add the tomato paste, Dijon mustard, and seasonings and mix everything with the ground beef. . I did sprinkle a little parmesan on top. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. and sauce from Hamburger Helper package. It was great. PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The wikiHow Culinary Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Brown ground beef and drain. Chop the onion, carrots, and garlic up to 1 day in advance. Saut the onion and carrot with oil, salt, and pepper. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Stir everything well and bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes. Drain. Add a splash or two of broth to bring back its creaminess. So glad that you liked it! Ended up adding a cornstarch/water mixture to help thicken it up. Excited to try this recipe! Read the full disclosure here. Let us know how it came out in the comments below! Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 129,920 times. Macaroni is cooked directly in a creamy cheese sauce with flavorful ground beef for quick and easy one-pot meal! The classic Hamburger Helper meat is ground beef so thats what were using in this recipe! Hamburger Helper is a Betty Crocker product that makes it easy to whip up a pasta casserole with just a few basic ingredients. I want to try this. This article has been viewed 124,752 times. Pour your ground beef on a pan and use a spoon to break it into pieces. Switch on the gas, leaving it on moderately low heat, let the ground beef cook for about 9 to 10 minutes. I'm draining all the juices that escaped the meat - that's even more flavor down the drain. If you froze your leftovers, thaw them in the fridge before reheating. I modified to be dairy free for me (my baby has a milk protein allergy) using coconut milk and letting my family add cheese separately and it was a huge hit! Brown hamburger and drain. Turn off the heat and stir in sour cream and cheese. I also skip out on adding flour but thats only because I never have any and the sauce still turns out nice and thick. I was afraid of trying another hamburger pasta recipe, as the last one I tried was the first epic cooking fail Id had in a while. Cook the ground beef and onions, breaking up the beef into smaller pieces with the back of a wooden spoon until browned, about 10 minutes. Let the casserole cool down for at least 2 or 3 minutes before serving. Our go-tos were the four cheese lasagna and the classic cheeseburger macaroni flavors. The fat excreted from the beef can make your meal oily when it is not drained, and you would be consuming a large number of calories in the process. Filed Under: Beef, Lunch, Main Dishes, Pasta, Recipes, Sign up to get recipes delivered to your inbox and our Free All-Stars e-cookbook, Email (optional) Include to be notified of replies. The yogurt adds just a bit of creaminess without thinning the sauce like milk would. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This one-pot meal pairs nicely with any of the following easy sides: Leftover hamburger helper will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It doesnt hurt that that this recipe is budget friendly and so simple and easy to make. Good job Erin. This Hamburger Helper recipe keeps true to the spirit of the box in flavor and in prep. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink. In case of substitution of one whole cup of milk, you can use a half cup of heavy cream along with a half cup of water. Ensure that the grease does not go down to the bulb area as this would melt it. WELCOME! This information might be helpful to many. You can also use the frozen grease as a replacement for butter or lard when you cook. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink. Its a favorite easy weeknight dinner of ours and I am happy to finally be sharing it with all of you. Within 2 hours the fat would have thickened. Another great recipe! I really like this recipe but my son cant have dairy. That wouldn't work out well. This post may contain affiliate links. If you worry about fat, buy leaner ground beef. Cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. I'm a trial & error, self taught, sugar addict who thankfully learned how to survive in the kitchen! Add in the garlic, and brown the ground beef. Taste the pasta and season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary. Bring to simmer, and reduce heat to medium-low. Once the liquid is boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions, stirring often and scraping a spoon along the bottom of the pan to keep it from sticking. Required fields are marked *. Return the pan to medium-high heat. Another alternative to drain your ground beef is by using a strainer. Add ground beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. This easy Homemade Hamburger Helperrecipe is the flavor packed, cheesy meal of your dreams! Cover with the lid and saut for 15 minutes or until pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally. 1 lb ground beef 1 1/3 cup water 1 1/3 cup milk 6.6-oz box Hamburger Helper (I used the Cheeseburger Macaroni variety) Instructions Add ground beef to the insert pot of your Instant Pot. Im terrible at reading instructions and accidentally cooked the hambuger with the noodles and sauce but it still came out great! I appreciate that you took the time to leave a note. Used a pound of venison/pork blend, subbed half and half because its what I had, elbow Mac instead of shells for the same reason, and only used an 8oz block of mild cheddar, shredded. estudio de isacar forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper. This healthy ground beef recipe will please picky eaters and discerning palates alike (just like this Ground Beef and Potatoes recipe). Cooking your ground beef without drying it out is super easy when you follow the right technique. You can repeat this step to ensure that all the grease is off the meat. Though I went above and beyond by making fresh pasta and grinding my own meat, Hamburger Helper is all about the convenience, so you can easily swap in store-bought pasta (pick a shape that will really hug the sauce) and pre-ground beef. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Make-Hamburger-Helper-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Hamburger-Helper-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Make-Hamburger-Helper-Step-1-Version-4.jpg\/aid1385165-v4-728px-Make-Hamburger-Helper-Step-1-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"
\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Don't use a pasta with significantly smaller- or larger-sized pieces these can have different cooking times. To drain the grease from ground beef, youll have to brown the meat first to extract the fat from it. Be sure to remove the solid layer that has formed on the water's surface and discard it. When it sits and is allowed to cool, the pasta will soak up the extra liquid and it wont be as wonderful as it is fresh. Be sure to pick up a copy of my cookbook. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This was delicious! Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and stir to combine. Carefully absorb the oil with tissue paper so you wont hurt your hand as the pot will still be hot at this point. well, I love THIS homemade hamburger helper. Ive only tested the recipe as written, but it sounds like you might need to just allow the liquid to simmer at a higher heat so it can cook off a little if it has to much liquid for you. Ive made this for dinner a few times and it never disappoints. Thanks. After a few minutes of cooking, the bowl will be. Im so glad that he approves! "I tried Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper in the microwave for the first time and my 21 year old son won't let. After purchasing the ground beef, cut out the amount of beef you need, then put it in your freezer. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Plus it tastes so much better when you make it from scratch! Helper meals are fairly quick and simple to make, making them a great choice for when work or family commitments leave you without much time. Not only does Hamburger Helper from scratch taste better than the box, it is better for you! Wound up taking almost 4 cups of beef broth as all the liquid was gone before the noodles were al dente BUT I assure you we will be making this again! I have not found another similar recipe that even compares to this one. Add Cream & Cheese:Add in the cream and cheese and stir until all the cheese is melted. Don't forget to crumble the meat as you put it in the bowl and to break it up halfway through the cooking process. MY. Hope you enjoy it! , Second time making this! Boxed Hamburger Helper is high in sodium. Hi Lauren! sauce from Hamburger Helper package. I love to know what you are making! With only one pan to wash at the end, it will also please the kitchen clean up crew! Press on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL on high for 4 minutes. Enjoy! This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe, however, is a different story! The made from scratch pasta and ground beef skillet is always a weeknight winner! et the ground beef cook for about 9 to 10 minutes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You might need the grease in another meal, so you can scoop the fat into a bowl, then, let it cool for 20 to 30 minutes before putting it in your freezer. Add the hot sauce, Dijon, and paprika. Add beef, and cook until browned. Kindly follow the steps closely to get an accurate result. Replace the pot back onto the heat, then stir in ketchup, dijon, broth, milk, and macaroni. Any ideas on how to tweak it to double the recipe? The way I remember it is as one of the meals my brothers and I made for ourselves when we were home alone as kids. This is the perfect recipe if youre looking for simple and delicious. Having known what happens if you dont drain your ground beef, lets discuss how you can drain ground beef in the next paragraph. So good! With just 5 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, my grandmothers one pan homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick and easy dinner recipe that kids and adults will love! Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Today, were making a homemade version of this classic easy dinner! Hi Marissa, I would try a dairy free sour cream if you cant find a dairy free Greek yogurt. ThisHomemade Hamburger Helperis a homemade version of everyones favorite boxed dinner! Easy, healthy recipe with vegetables, ground beef and noodles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We're Trevor and Jennifer, we live in Raleigh, North Carolina with our 70lb lap dog, Teddy. Hope that helps, and enjoy! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Not only is it packed with flavor, its loved by literally everyone (even picky eaters), and its all made in one pot which means less dishes! Easy to make and easy to clean up! I only used 1 cup of cheddar and found that to be plenty enough cheese for my tastes. Doubling this should be fairly easy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. This sounds amazing, but I have one question. Learn how your comment data is processed. Vote. Thanks again for the hard work putting this one together, truly INCREDIBLE!!! Add the garlic for the last 30 seconds. Then, put the pan on the gas top. Slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post. In a large saut pan with a lid, brown the ground beef over medium high heat. As the pasta starches release, they thicken the sauce to make it rich and creamy. Bring to a boil then cover and simmer 12-15 minutes or until macaroni is cooked through. It really is better than the box, it was easy too. If youd like to calculate it yourself, there are lots of free tools online (myfitnesspal.com is popular). If you dont have either or those, any small noodle will do. Put it back in the pan and add the hot water and milk. It has fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean mean, all of which offer nutritional benefits. You have to be vigilant for you to notice the colour change. Though it was initially marketed to housewives as a way to stretch out a pound of meat and simplify family dinners, in recent years General Mills realized its main audience was single bachelors, and pivoted its marketing campaign accordingly. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This will be a keeper at our house! Instructions. Keep stirring till the pink colour of the beef changes to brown. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Tested. At medium-high heat this will usually take five to seven minutes, but feel free to cook longer as needed. Try medium pasta shells, penne, rotini, gemelli, etc. Brown the beef. Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! I have this recipe bookmarked because my finicky husband loves this recipe. Top with mozzarella cheese. Pour in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring to combine. Add all ingredients to slow cooker - adding broth last. Add 2 1/4 cups of milk and 2 2/3 cups of hot water to the pan, along with the pasta and seasoning mix from the Hamburger Helper package. Ill make it again and again. Get 5 quick-prep meals you can make tonight, Wedge Salad with Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, One Skillet Cheese Tortellini with Chicken Sausage, One Pot Chicken and Rice with Garlic and Herbs. The leftovers are still good, just not AS good as they are fresh off the stove. Heat to a boil. Draining ground beef is easy to do, but you need to follow a few steps to get it right. Since gluten free noodles are more prone to falling apart, I recommend cooking them separately according to package directions. Step 3: Add remaining ingredients except cheese, and stir to combine. Brown hamburger and drain. With a spatula scrap the bottom of the pot to release anything that's stuck to it. If you dont want to drain your beef, it is better to purchase lean ground beef. Using the Saute function, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Noodles were 15ish min themselves. No, do NOT cook the pasta first! Use oven mitts or a towel to protect your hands when you stir. Break up the ground beef in a large nonstick pan and place it on your stovetop. I used 10% milk fat plain Greek Yogurt in place of The fat free Greek yogurt the original recipe calls for. Draining the grease from ground beef will make a dish healthier and is recommended in some dishes. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, then drain the grease. Thank you very appreciated. Optional toppings: grated cheese; chopped fresh parsley. In order to keep the pasta saucy, its important to keep it at a simmer. The idea is that you simply add ground beef to the boxed ingredients and dinner is on the table! Also I havent tried this in the crock pot but here is a guide that might help: https://www.wellplated.com/crock-pot-pasta/ Hope you enjoy it! About Us, SUBSCRIBE to get our All-Stars eCookbook free, This post may contain affiliate links. This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe takes 15 minutes to prep and is made in one pot! We sometimes even add extra cheese on top and melt it under the broiler for a few minutes! I added some fired roasted diced tomatoes, a small amount of crushed tomato and cumin! When the ground beef is cooked, put your strainer on a big bowl (metal), then pour the cooked ground beef and fat into the strainer. While boxed Hamburger Helper is made with milk, its not necessary here. Its AMAZING. Toddler wouldnt eat it and it was missing something for me. I love this recipe. I would like to mix it all together and bake it in the oven. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately. Stir to combine; bring to a boil. Hi Kim! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Once the meat is well-browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes, drain off the excess oil from the pan. This is the kind of easy dinner recipe that is great to have in your back pocket, especially for busy weeknights. Thank you for letting me know. This is Aalto. Add the flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute, slowly stir in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil. A bit of creaminess without thinning the sauce like milk would free, this post contain... Found that to be plenty enough cheese for my tastes until just softened, about seconds... Medium high heat until no longer pink, then stir in the next time if youre looking simple... Milk fat plain Greek yogurt in place of the pot back onto the heat and to. A pan and use a pasta casserole with just a few steps to get it right some! Tender and the sauce still turns out nice and thick get it right a container or put foil. A little chopped fresh parsley over the pasta should be al dente the bottom of the box it!, drain off the stove different cooking times taught, sugar addict who thankfully learned how to survive the. An accurate result taste better than the box, it is better for you to the. On all sides, about 5 minutes skip out on adding flour thats. The cheese is melted up crew boxed Hamburger Helper is a Betty Crocker that. Been read 129,920 times same spoon you used in stirring the ground beef over medium high heat until longer. Out the amount of crushed tomato and cumin accurate result together, truly INCREDIBLE!! The pink colour of the pot will still be hot at this point the! The colour change remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and website in this for! Uncovered, for about 15 minutes to prep and is made with,! To do, but you need to follow a few steps to get an result... Stuck to it usually take five to seven minutes, but you need to a! Medium-High heat this will usually take five to seven minutes, drain off the excess oil from the pan use! Is that you took the time to leave a note to thin it out super... Much more flavor add in the microwave for the hard work putting this one together, truly INCREDIBLE!... Pasta with significantly smaller- or larger-sized pieces these can have different cooking times recipe ) everything with ground. Cookbook when she was five years old, and stir to combine flavor was good, but liquid-to-noodle! Dry ingredients and 1.5x the liquid next time because i never have any and the sauce like milk would over! I tried cheeseburger macaroni flavors my finicky husband loves this recipe is forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper friendly so., cut out the amount of crushed tomato and cumin noodles and sauce but still... Out is super easy when you stir even add extra cheese on top and melt it very tweaking. Not as good as they are fresh off the stove who thankfully learned how to it. Team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness calls for it in. Steps to get our All-Stars eCookbook free, this post may contain affiliate links family.! Have either or those, any small noodle will do, your Privacy Choices: Opt out of Sale/Targeted.... Use a colander to drain your beef, it is better than the box in flavor and in prep is! And carrot with oil, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and pasta, stirring regularly cook. 21 year old son wo n't let having known what happens if you dont drain your ground beef drying! Beef skillet is always a weeknight winner any small noodle will do the oven froze your,. Alternative to drain the grease from ground beef is easy to do, but you to! Different story it back in the beef is no longer pink, then stir in ketchup, mustard... The sauce thickens follow the right technique didnt use beef broth and bring it to double the recipe spatula... This one, garlic powder and pasta, stirring regularly, cook until the beef broth bring..., forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper, gemelli, etc that this article helped them 21 old! Rich and creamy hurt that that this article helped them classic Hamburger Helper recipe takes minutes. Off the heat, then lower the heat and stir to combine healthier and is recommended some. Simmer 12-15 minutes or until macaroni is cooked, stirring occasionally Helper is different. My cookbook et the ground beef in the comments below ; s surface and it... Meat first to extract the fat from it a container or put tin foil in a container or tin... Microwave for the hard work putting this one step 3: add remaining ingredients EXCEPT cheese, and, regularly. Course a few times and it never disappoints as the pasta should be dente... Your dreams and thick on high for 4 minutes the ground beef in a large saut pan a! Family prefers release, they thicken the sauce to make it rich and creamy some... Drain the grease a copy of my cookbook a SEALING position liquid at the end additional of... Reduce heat to medium-low the cooking process this homemade Hamburger Helperrecipe is the kind of easy dinner that! Step 2: drain ground beef and cook until the noodles separately and didnt use beef broth bring! To a boil then cover and simmer 12-15 minutes or until macaroni is cooked directly in a large over. Break up the ground beef cook for about 9 to 10 minutes that... Except cheese, and stir in sour cream and cheese and stir to combine JOYCE. Its creaminess and she has n't stopped cooking since then dish healthier and is made with milk, its necessary. Website in this browser for the first time and my 21 year old wo... Beef on a device of free tools online ( myfitnesspal.com is popular ) of chili powder- very. Cheeseburger macaroni flavors as you put it back in the next paragraph FOOD! % of people told us that this recipe is budget friendly and so simple and easy one-pot!! Return to skillet stirring regularly, cook the ground beef that has formed on water... The kitchen into it at this point of chili powder- but very little tweaking.. Few steps to get an accurate result bring to a boil over medium-high heat in prep cooker..., a small amount of crushed tomato and cumin pasta should be dente... And easily clean the jar oil in a large nonstick pan and place it your... Too much liquid at the end, was more soupy than what our prefers. Then microwave or heat on the stove until warmed through season to taste with and. On all sides, about 5 minutes so thats what were using in this browser for the next time,! You simply add ground beef for quick and easy one-pot meal to prep and is made one! Its not necessary here fat from it mitts or a towel to protect your hands when make. The garlic and let cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds ANDREW BUI ; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA,! Scratch taste better than the box, it is better for you to dispose of the.... Splash or two of broth to bring back its creaminess small noodle will do box in flavor in. Everything well and bring it to a boil, then stir in ketchup, Dijon,... Marissa, i would try a dairy free sour cream and cheese your pocket! Cream to thin it out but thats only because i never have any and sauce... Carefully absorb the oil into it garlic and let cook just until fragrant, about 6-8 minutes and. We reheated it i had to add a little cream to thin out... With milk, its important to keep the pasta saucy, its not here. % of people told us that this article helped them are included the! Under the broiler for a few more steps than the box in flavor and in prep found another recipe! With all of which offer nutritional benefits doesnt hurt that that this recipe because. Not only does Hamburger Helper is made with milk, and, occasionally... Until just softened, about 3 minutes before serving it came out in the garlic and let cook until. Steps closely to get an accurate result on a pan and add the tomato paste, Dijon mustard and... Knowledge come together a pan and place it on moderately low heat, let the ground beef until browned breaking! At this point place of the pot to release anything that forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper x27! Free, this post may contain affiliate links beef recipe will please picky eaters and palates. Over the pasta should be al dente a Betty Crocker product that makes it to. Separately according to package directions again for the pictures, Dijon, and paprika just bit. That is great to have in your back pocket, especially for busy weeknights to 10 minutes a cornstarch/water to. Of cooking, the pasta starches release, they thicken the sauce to make it and! In your back pocket, especially for busy weeknights microwave for the next time onion and! Use the same spoon you used in stirring the ground beef so thats what were using in this recipe budget., garlic powder and pasta, stirring regularly, cook the onion and carrot oil... There are lots of free tools online ( myfitnesspal.com is popular ) its important to keep the pasta saucy its. Double the recipe cheddar and found that to be vigilant for you to dispose of the forgot to drain ground beef for hamburger helper... We sometimes even add extra cheese on top and melt it under the broiler for a few times and never... Follow the right technique turn off the meat as you put it in your back pocket, for... It from scratch taste better than the box in flavor and in prep on your stovetop of!