Pioneer Woman Hamburger Helper: Easy Homemade Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet

With over 7 million views and glowing five-star reviews, this Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a weeknight dinner champion. Just like something you’d find in Pioneer Woman’s kitchen, it’s perfect for those busy school nights and last-minute meal scrambles. This Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet uses ingredients you likely already have and comes together in under 20 minutes. It might not be fancy fare, but this one-pot wonder is a family favorite – always simple, satisfying, and even picky eaters approve!

“So much better than the boxed version. Prepping the cheese the night before made it super quick to make.” ~ Susan

A pan filled with delicious homemade hamburger helper, showcasing its cheesy and meaty texture.

Like many, my first taste of Hamburger Helper wasn’t until college. My mom never made it, so when my roommate whipped it up one night, it was a completely new (and delightful!) experience. That’s when I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed it!

Did anyone else in college have dinner-making rotations with roommates? Taking turns cooking was a lifesaver, and it was so fun to try dishes from each other’s childhoods. That’s how I was introduced to boxed hamburger helper by my roommate Sarah, a classic from her growing-up years.

I know for people who grew up with it, the boxed stuff might be nostalgic but not exactly gourmet. But for me, it was surprisingly delicious! This cheesy, meaty, carb-loaded pasta in a savory sauce with browned ground beef? Pure comfort food bliss!

So, I was thrilled to discover you could easily make this cheeseburger pasta skillet from scratch! This homemade version quickly became a family staple for easy dinners, and everyone in my house loves it.

It’s essentially inspired by the same beloved boxed hamburger helper you find at the store, but this homemade recipe is levels above, using real cheese and skipping all those mystery ingredients! And it’s a HUGE time-saver on hectic weeknights when cooking feels like a chore, or when I haven’t planned ahead. I always keep ground beef in the freezer, cheese in the fridge, and pasta in the pantry, ready to go.

This homemade hamburger helper also tackles another dinner dilemma: the dreaded cleanup. Dishes are truly the worst part of cooking.

But this easy one-pot skillet meal means minimal dishes. That alone makes me much more likely to cook, even on nights when takeout seems tempting. And honestly, since this comes together in about 15 minutes from start to finish, it’s even faster than hitting the drive-thru!

If you’re all about one-pot meals, you absolutely have to try this one pot bruschetta chicken pasta – it’s bursting with flavor and just as easy.

We’re always on the hunt for more simple weeknight dinners that will satisfy our hungry crew. Some of our other go-to recipes are Tuna Noodle Casserole, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and Ground Beef Stroganoff!

Close-up shot of cheesy pasta and seasoned ground beef in a skillet, emphasizing the dish's rich texture and ingredients.

What You’ll Need

Pasta: Cavatappi noodles or elbow macaroni are my favorites, but any small pasta shape works – think bowtie pasta or egg noodles.
Lean ground beef: Feel free to swap in ground turkey, chicken, or sausage to mix up the flavors or for a slightly lighter option.
Milk: Milk adds the perfect richness to this homemade hamburger helper without being too heavy.
Hot water: For extra savory flavor, use beef or chicken broth instead of water. But honestly, with all the spices and cheese, water works wonderfully.
Cheese: Medium cheddar gives that classic hamburger helper taste, but Monterey Jack or pepper jack would be delicious for a twist.
Cornstarch: This helps thicken the sauce and gives it a smooth, silky texture.
Paprika: Regular or smoked paprika both work great.
Garlic powder
Onion powder: Onion powder gives it that nostalgic boxed flavor, but you could also sauté half a chopped onion with the beef if you prefer fresh onion.
Salt
Black pepper
Sugar: A tiny bit of sugar balances all the flavors. It’s not very noticeable, and you can skip it, but it really enhances the overall taste.

How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper

Making homemade hamburger helper is incredibly simple. Start by browning ground beef in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Break it up as it cooks and drain off any excess fat.

Ground beef being browned in a cast iron skillet, demonstrating the first step of the recipe.

Next, sprinkle cornstarch and all the spices over the browned beef and stir them in. This coats the meat with flavor before you add the liquids. Then, pour in the hot water or broth, milk, and pasta.

Hamburger helper simmering on the stovetop, showing the cooking process.

I’m a big fan of cavatappi pasta – it’s just one of my favorite noodle shapes! But macaroni noodles are also perfect. If you haven’t tried cavatappi, they’re like longer, spiral macaroni noodles. It’s the same pasta I use in my copycat costco mac & cheese.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer. Cook until the pasta is tender but still slightly firm to the bite (al dente).

Once the pasta has absorbed most of the liquid and is cooked al dente, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top and stir it in. There will still be some liquid in the pan – this will continue to absorb into the pasta and melt with the cheese to create a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Shredded cheddar cheese being added to the skillet with cooked pasta and ground beef, showcasing the cheesy element of the dish.

I love Tillamook Farmstyle Cut medium cheddar for this recipe. It tastes fantastic and melts beautifully, unlike some pre-shredded cheeses I’ve tried.

(This isn’t sponsored, I just genuinely love this cheese and find it so convenient, especially when I’m short on time and don’t want to grate cheese myself.)

Package of Tillamook farmstyle cut cheddar cheese, highlighting a recommended ingredient for the recipe.

After a couple of minutes, the sauce will thicken up. You can sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color before serving.

Homemade hamburger helper in a cast iron skillet, garnished and ready to serve, emphasizing the final presentation of the dish.

If you’re looking to expand your collection of easy weeknight dinners this school year, definitely add this homemade hamburger helper to your rotation.

Or try some of my other easy dinner recipes like sheet pan shrimp fajitas, one pan green bean, chicken & potatoes, or baked spaghetti casserole.

Tips for Success

This recipe is a reader favorite, and the comments section is full of great ideas! Readers suggest adding chopped bell peppers, green beans, or other veggies if you want to load it up with vegetables.
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This lets the cheese sauce thicken a bit more and set up nicely.
Feel free to use different small pasta shapes like shells, macaroni, or any other you prefer.
For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken, or try protein pasta or gluten-free pasta for dietary variations.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Store any leftover hamburger helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It reheats beautifully the next day, either in the microwave or on the stovetop. You might need to add a splash of milk to thin the sauce slightly as the pasta tends to absorb it overnight.

What to Serve with Hamburger Helper

This homemade hamburger helper is hearty and satisfying on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a spinach salad or a crisp green salad with copycat Olive Garden dressing. We also love serving it with a green vegetable like green beans or roasted broccoli. For a kid-friendly touch, fruit salad with marshmallows or even orange jello are always a hit.

Homemade hamburger helper served on a white plate, suggesting a serving suggestion for the dish.

Did you try this recipe?

Let me know what you thought in the comments and leave a rating below! You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on Pinterest so I can see!

Square image of homemade hamburger helper in a cast iron skillet, optimized for social sharing.

Print Pin Rate

Homemade Hamburger Helper

4.89 from 627 votes

By Amy Nash

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 6 people

This Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet, with browned ground beef, cheddar cheese, and cavatappi or macaroni noodles, is a go-to dinner for busy weeknights. It’s easy, satisfying, and a family pleaser!

Equipment

Large Skillet

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 Tablespoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups hot water (or beef broth or chicken broth)
1 1/2 cups milk
2 cups dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up, cooking until browned. Drain any fat.
Sprinkle cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, and pepper over the beef. Stir to combine. Add hot water, milk, and pasta. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 8-11 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
Stir in grated cheddar cheese until melted. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes to thicken. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Video

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Notes

Storage: Leftovers keep in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk.
Veggies: Add chopped bell peppers, green beans, or other vegetables.
Substitutions: Use different pasta shapes, ground turkey or chicken, or protein/gluten-free pasta for variations.

Recipe adapted from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram! Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

This post was originally published in August 2018 and updated in November 2022.

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