Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by Kimberly Stroh

I’m always trying to make our whole family happy around the dinner and it’s a tough job. Finding a meal that the kids love, along with my Husband, is a daunting task. I finally found a winner with this Homemade Hamburger Helper copycat recipe. Total respect to the original box, but this recipe is EASY and tastes so much better. You’ll never go back!

Why We Love This Recipe

We stock up on ground beef and keep it in our freezer. It’s such a great protein to keep on hand. We use it in tacos, for grilling burgers, and making chili. It’s also a great budget-friendly protein to add. The ground beef, along with the pasta, makes this such a filling and cheap dinner.

The copycat recipe is also great for larger families. It makes a huge batch that will feed the entire family and leave you with some leftovers, too.

Wondering what the best part is? You make the entire recipe in ONE skillet. So you aren’t boiling pasta on the side. The sauce, meat, and pasta are all cooked in the same skillet. That makes for super easy clean up. It’s one of my favorite meals to throw together on busy weeknights.

All together, from start to finish, this dinner only takes about 30 minutes to make. You can even do a little prep work ahead of time to make it go faster. I love how tender the ground beef is and the flavor from three types of tomato.

Looking for more ground beef recipes? My award-winning beef chili with pinto beans is delicious. Cincinnati Chili has a secret ingredient to add flavor and it’s another great family recipe.

What To Serve With Homemade Hamburger Helper

This is such a hearty dinner. I like to pair the recipe with a side salad. Grab a bottle of your favorite salad dressing or try a homemade ranch dressing. Chop some fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley on top for garnish and added color. A great Italian loaf of bread and salad is all you’ll need for a complete dinner.

Easy Substitution Options

One of the easiest substitutions you can make is changing the pasta shape. You can always add a different pasta if you’d like to change it from macaroni.

Another substitution option is using ground bison instead of ground beef. It’s a leaner option and can be even more tender. However, it will definitely add to the overall cost of the meal.

How To Store Leftover Homemade Hamburger Helper

Transfer any leftovers into an air-tight container. Keep the pasta in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can reheat the leftover portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add more cheese, if desired. The recipe doesn’t freeze well.

Homemade Hamburger Helper Ingredients:

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• Yellow Onion
• Garlic Cloves: I prefer using fresh garlic cloves
• Ground Beef: Lean is better and over 80%
• Kosher Salt
• Ground Pepper
• Tomato Paste
• Beef Broth
• Tomato Sauce
• Diced Canned Tomato
• Italian Seasoning
• Paprika
• Elbow Macaroni
• Cheddar Cheese
• Optional Garnish: Flat-leaf Italian Parsley

How To Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute more.

Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain fat and return to pan. Season with salt and pepper.

Add tomato paste and stir to coat, then pour in broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Season with Italian seasoning and paprika, and stir in macaroni.

Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.

Stir in cheese and remove from heat. Garnish with parsley before serving.