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a deep everyday skillet of small elbow macaroni and finely crumbled browned ground beef in smooth orange cheese sauce with tiny softened onion pieces, with no tomato chunks, pickles or garnish
Rachel Kim

Homemade Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger Macaroni)

The boxed version starts with a useful idea: browned hamburger, small pasta and a sauce that comes together in the same pan. I want the homemade version to keep that speed without tasting mostly of salt. Elbows cook in broth first, then evaporated milk and two cheeses make a smooth orange coating without a flour packet. A little mustard belongs here, but ketchup stays out so the cheese still leads. Stop cooking while the sauce looks slightly loose, because the macaroni keeps taking up moisture between the stove and the table and a pan that looks dry now won't improve during the rest.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 90% lean ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 8 oz dry elbow macaroni
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup water reserved as needed
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard
  • 3 oz sharp cheddar finely grated
  • 2 oz deli American cheese torn

Method
 

  1. Heat a deep 12-inch 5-quart saute pan over medium-high heat. Brown beef and onion for 7 to 8 minutes, breaking the meat finely and cooking it to 160°F; spoon off excess fat.
  2. Stir in garlic and paprika for 30 seconds. Add macaroni, broth, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer.
  3. Cook uncovered over medium-low heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom every 2 minutes. Add reserved water 2 tablespoons at a time only if the pan dries before the pasta is tender.
  4. Stir in evaporated milk and mustard and simmer gently for 1 minute; keep a little fluid sauce around the pasta.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in American cheese, then cheddar, until smooth. Rest for 2 minutes and serve while the macaroni is loose and glossy.