Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
This Cheesy Homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick, comforting one-pan meal combining lean ground beef, tender pasta shells, and a rich tomato sauce with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a perfect family-friendly dinner that’s both hearty and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells (uncooked, about 2 cups)
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 6 ounces tomato paste (2/3 cup)
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: Place the lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook it thoroughly until no pink remains, about 6-9 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain excess grease and blot with paper towels if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir occasionally until onion becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then sprinkle in the dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine all flavors.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour the dry pasta shells, water, canned diced tomatoes with liquid, and tomato paste into the skillet. Stir everything together thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Simmer the Pasta: Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Melt the Cheese: Turn off the heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for about 2 minutes to melt the cheese thoroughly. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease and keep the dish light.
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the skillet bottom.
- If you prefer, substitute pasta shapes such as elbow macaroni or rotini.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes when adding the dried herbs.
