A delicious homemade take on Hamburger Helper, this super easy Cheese Hamburger Skillet is sure to please the whole family—even the picky eaters. Kids LOVE it and it all cooks up in one pan!
I will never forget how the blog first brought me to the public eye. It was in the middle of Walmart. The cutest elderly gentleman approached me and told me how much he loved my recipes. We chatted for almost 15 minutes and when he turned to walk away I realized I had been standing there the whole time holding a box of Hamburger Helper.
At first I was a bit embarrassed. Here I drew attention to myself with my recipes, while at the same time holding what is probably the best ready-made meal in my hand. But after thinking about it, I realized… Hamburger Helper is real life. It’s cheap, easy, and makes for a quick one-pot meal. And that’s 100% okay.
The reality is, I’m certainly no stranger to “America’s Favorite One Pan Meal.” No, just the opposite. As a kid of the 80’s I love some hamburger helpers. And so does Jack. For me it’s like comfort food.
And although Heather isn’t gigantic She’s a fan of packaged stuff and sometimes tolerates it to keep us happy. And whether it’s cheeseburger macaroni, beef stroganoff, or beef pasta, I love how easy it is to make dinner on busy weeknights.
Well, like I said before, there shouldn’t be any shame in snagging that cheap box of dried pasta and condiments if that’s what you need to do to get dinner on the table. But if you have a few extra minutes, making a homemade version of the hamburger helper is a chance to add some really great flavor.
Is this version healthier? Probably not. Is it tastier? 100%!
I mean, this is the type of meal that’s becoming a family favorite, not because it’s healthy, but because it tastes great, it’s hearty and filling, and it’s easy — that easy. In fact, this easy make-ahead homemade hamburger recipe cooks up in one pot just like the store-bought version.
What should I serve with Hamburger Helper?
This one-pot wonder is certainly a meal in itself. It’s got your protein, your carbs, your dairy… But what side should you serve with it?
side salad – We usually get a packaged salad set from the supermarket. They offer a delicious variety and make eating quick and easy. With this in mind, you could also serve my Apple Pecan Salad or a Caesar Salad with my Homemade Creamy Caesar Dressing.
Green vegetables – Staying true to the simple theme, serve with a steamable bag of green veggies straight off the supermarket shelf — like green beans or broccoli. You can also use my Roasted Green Beans or Roasted Broccoli recipe.
Frequently asked questions about ingredients
- ground beef – Since we drain it, any ground beef ratio will work here. If you opt for super lean meat, around 90/10, you may not even need to drain the meat after cooking.
- Onion – White, yellow or even sweet onions will do. As the recipe shows, you can also swap out a fresh onion for onion powder.
- Garlic – Fresh gives the best taste, but you can also use canned garlic or even garlic powder.
- water or broth – Water works just fine, but broth adds flavor. Just opt for a low-sodium or no-salt broth so you can control the sodium levels.
- Brown sauce mix – This gives the sauce great flavor and strong thickening power. If you’re watching your sodium intake, simply choose a low or low sodium blend.
- Cheddar Cheese Soup – This ingredient provides great flavor and creaminess. And while canned soups often get a bad rap, just look at the ingredients on the label. There is nothing strange about the brand I use.
- macaroni – I prefer to keep the boxed version and use plain macaroni for my homemade hamburger maker, but I suppose you could use other pasta shapes as well. You could even use egg noodles. However, keep in mind that pasta size may require more or less water or broth – so pay close attention.
- Cheddar cheese – I usually use whatever I have in the fridge – be it mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, or a cheddar blend. And no… when I make this cheese hamburger skillet, I’m not grating my own cheese here. The packaged stuff works fine.
Do you love one pot meals? Try these…
recipe card
Cheese Hamburger Skillet (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
A delicious homemade take on Hamburger Helper, this super easy Cheese Hamburger Skillet is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Kids LOVE it and it all cooks up in one pan!
Remarks
The recipe was originally published on June 23, 2011. The recipe has been tweaked and updated to make it easier and more flavorful.
Nourishment
Calories: 674kcal
Please note:
Where nutritional values are given, these are estimates and may vary depending on the brand used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and entering those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
