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Homemade Hamburger Helper with Broccoli and Cheddar Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is a delicious and comforting one-pan meal featuring lean ground beef, tender pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce with fresh broccoli and flavorful seasonings. Made from scratch in under 40 minutes, it’s a healthier and customizable alternative to the boxed version, perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients

Meat and Pasta

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 6 ounces dry chickpea shell or elbow pasta (use gluten-free if needed)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 medium head broccoli florets, cut into small pieces (~ 2 ½ cups)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced (~ ⅔ cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (~ 2 teaspoons)

Dairy and Sauces

  • 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 cups milk (whole milk or 2%)
  • 1/3 cup half and half
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground beef: Place a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 7-8 minutes or until fully cooked, breaking into small pieces as it cooks. Once cooked, transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside.
  2. Cook the pasta: While the beef cooks, bring a saucepan of water to a boil and cook the chickpea pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set the pasta aside.
  3. Sauté the vegetables: Wipe out the skillet used for the beef, then return it to medium-high heat. Add the oil, broccoli florets, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onions become translucent and the vegetables are tender.
  4. Add flour to the vegetables: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to coat them. This will help thicken the sauce later.
  5. Prepare the cheese sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low. Slowly pour in the milk, one cup at a time, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue whisking as the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Stir in the half-and-half, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, shredded cheddar cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is fully combined and the cheese has melted. Remove the skillet from heat.
  6. Combine all components: Add the drained pasta and cooked ground beef to the skillet with the cheese sauce and vegetables. Gently fold everything together until evenly combined. Serve warm immediately.
  7. Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free flour and pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • For a richer sauce, use whole milk instead of 2% and consider adding a bit more cheese.
  • Feel free to substitute the broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or green beans.
  • Make sure to whisk the milk in slowly to avoid lumps in the sauce.
  • Leftovers can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-with-broccoli-and-cheddar-recipe/