One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta (From-scratch Hamburger Helper)

plated hamburger helper pasta on two plates garnished with Italian parsley.

Indulge in the richness, creaminess, and pure comfort of this One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta. A gourmet twist on from-scratch Hamburger Helper, it features gooey cheese and lean beef. It’s a delectable dinner that’ll have you eagerly anticipating every bite all day long!

Why We Love This Cheeseburger Pasta

Nostalgia alert! We’ve got a soft spot in our hearts for Hamburger Helper. A taste of childhood, it still holds a special place in our culinary memories. There’s just something so irresistible about the combination of silky cheese, hearty noodles, and beef!

However, now that we’re older, we don’t love the long list of unknown ingredients that come from dinners in a box. So, we decided to make our own from-scratch Hamburger Helper! It has all the flavor we love and none of the mystery ingredients we don’t. Plus, it’s:

SO simple to make.
Loaded with protein.
Reliable for meal prep.
And easily customizable to fit all your needs!

cooked ground beef with sauce and uncooked pasta in a pot.

Better-For-You From-scratch Hamburger Helper Ingredients

We’re all about keeping it simple with real food ingredients. They unlock a burst of flavors you’ll absolutely adore. Here’s the rundown of what you’ll need:

Lean Ground Beef – We prefer to use 90% or leaner beef for a slightly healthier cheeseburger pasta. However, whatever you like finest is perfectly fine!
Noodles – Any small-shape pasta noodles work well for this dish. Traditional Hamburger Helper uses elbow pasta, but we found that we like Campanelle pasta finest.
Seasonings – Paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, onion powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper add tons of flavor.
Cheese – We love sharp cheddar cheese for a classic taste, but any version you prefer is great.
Broth – Use beef, chicken, or vegetable broth to create an extra rich flavor and thin out the cheese sauce for a silky texture.
Tomato Sauce – This is key to making your dish taste as if it simmered for hours instead of minutes!
Heavy Cream – Our secret ingredient, heavy silky takes this cheeseburger pasta to the next level. It makes it oh-so-silky and even more decadent!

cooked one pot hamburger pasta topped with shredded cheese.

How to Make Simple One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

The beauty of this dish? It’s a breeze to whip up. Just follow the instructions below, and voila! Dinner will grace your table in less than 20 minutes.

Brown the beef in a large pot.
Add the seasonings.
Stir in the broth, pasta, and tomato sauce, and bring them to a boil to cook the pasta.
Cover the pot, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for 12-14 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
Mix in the cheese and cream.
Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Variations

If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, why not spice things up with some add-ins? To ignite your inspiration, here are a few of our go-to options:

Use different noodles. Switch up the size and shape of your pasta. This creates a slightly different taste and texture, and feel free you use gluten-free noodles if you need them!
Add in veggies. Try mixing in steamed broccoli or cauliflower. Or, you can even add a handful of spinach for a veggie-loaded meal you can feel good about serving.
Make it bacon cheeseburger pasta. Sprinkle in cooked, crumbled bacon for a savory dinner that tastes like your go-to cheeseburger.
Swap the beef. For a slightly lighter option, replace the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Spice it up. Use spicy pepper jack cheese, hot sauce, or even a few jalapeños for a little extra heat. If you just want a little extra depth, try adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce instead.

How to Store

We love to make a big batch to reheat throughout the week! It is important to note that this recipe won’t freeze well. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four weeks!

Reheating Options

Leftover pasta is so simple to reheat. Just make sure you have a little extra water or broth to loosen the noodles and refresh the cheese.

Microwave Option: Stir in the liquid, and microwave on high for 1 ½ minutes. Then, stir it, and check the consistency. If it is still a little dry, add a splash of extra liquid. Then, heat it again until warmed through.

Stovetop Option: Add your cheeseburger pasta to a large pot over medium heat. Slowly pour in the liquid, and stir it. Let the pasta warm for one to two minutes. Then, continue to add liquid until you reach your desired consistency.

Common Questions about One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta

Can I use ground turkey?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a leaner option and works great in this recipe. You could also try ground chicken or a mix of ground meats.

Finest pasta for one pot cheeseburger pasta?

We like campanelle for its fun shape and the way the sauce clings to it but short pasta shapes like macaroni, rotini, or penne also work well. They have lots of surface area to soak up the tasty sauce.

Can I add vegetables to one pot cheeseburger pasta?

Definitely! Chopped onions, carrots, or even frozen peas and corn are all great additions to this dish.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If your sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by stirring in a tablespoon or two of cornstarch mixed with a little water. Just be sure to stir constantly to prevent lumps.

cooked one pot hamburger pasta on two plates with a fork.

More One Pot Pasta Meals You’ll Love

When it comes to effortless meals, one-pot recipes are the real MVPs. If you’re hungry for more options, don’t miss out on the recipes listed below:

Simple, tasty, and speedy, One Pot Parmesan Pasta is the reliable dinner for any night of the week!
One bite of this One Pot Greek Spaghettiwill transport your tastebuds straight to an Island in Greece.
Two comfort foods in one simple dish, recipes don’t get better than this One Pot Pizza Pasta!
One Pot “Fried” Rice is a healthier version of everyone’s go-to takeout. Just add your go-to protein, and dinner is ready.

two plates of one pot cheeseburger pasta with a bowl of shredded cheese to the side

the Ayyem kitchenServings: 6 servings

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 25 mins

This One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta is a better-for-you Hamburger Helper the whole family will love! Email

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef 90% or leaner
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups broth
16 ounces uncooked Campanelle pasta or similar shape
8 ounces can tomato sauce
1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Brown the ground beef. Add onion powder, paprika, chili powder, mustard powder, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.1 pound lean ground beef, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons chilli powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Stir in the broth, pasta, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 12-14 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.16 ounces uncooked Campanelle pasta, 4 cups broth, 8 ounces can tomato sauce
Once pasta is cooked stir in the cheddar cheese, and heavy cream.1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream