I think a lot of us grew up on hamburger helper! My homemade version is 1000 times better if you ask me, a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.
Sometimes I get odd cravings for things like canned alphagetti or hamburger helper..I’ll blame it on growing up in the 70’s haha.. I was really craving hamburger helper one day but I knew I had all the things in to make a homemade version so I saved myself the trip out to the grocery store and the $2 lol and created this delicious dish. It is so simple to make and the whole family can enjoy it.
It is made with simple ingredients and customizable with ground beef, turkey, or chicken, this dish is sure to satisfy your nostalgic cravings while still being Weight Watchers-friendly at just 8 points per serving. Plus, it’s easy to make and perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Give it a try today and save yourself a trip to the storeI used ground beef but if you want to save a few points feel free to use ground turkey or chicken. Makes 6 servings at 8 points per serving on WW.
Ingredients used
- Ground beef
- Thyme
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper
- Tomato paste
- Corn starch
- Beef broth
- Milk
- Pasta
- Shredded cheese
I love using the small shell pasta in this dish, this type of pasta just seems to suit the recipe but any pasta can be used. If you prefer a penne or rotini noodle it will work just as well.
You could also swap out the ground beef for ground chicken or turkey if you are looking to lighten up this dish, if you follow WW and turkey/chicken is a 0PP food for you then it is a great option to swap it out and I promise it is just as delicious.
I love my Stove & Dove cast iron skillet for this dish, I definitely suggest having a good cast iron skillet in your kitchen, some recipes just taste so much better made in one. While a high-quality one is great to have you can still find a low-priced option on Amazon that will work just as well if it fits better in your budget.
I like using cheddar cheese in this recipe, it adds to the overall flavor of the sauce. If you don’t have cheddar in the fridge you can definitely try it with a different kind of shredded cheese.
This recipe should yield 6 heaping 1 cup servings. It pairs well with a salad, I like to serve it with some garlic toast and spoon some onto the toast, so good!
Homemade hamburger helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra lean ground beef
- 1.5 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt/pepper
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp corn starch
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1.5 cups 2% milk
- 2 cups pasta, I used small shells *measured uncooked
- 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a pan or skillet over medium heat, drain fat and return to pan.
- Add in the tomato paste, all seasonings, garlic and the corn starch, mix well.
- Stir in the broth and milk and then add the pasta, bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover with lid and let simmer for 9-12 minutes, stirring a couple of times..
- Remove from heat and mix in the shredded cheese, cover again for a few minutes to let cheese melt and the sauce thicken.
- Makes 6 heaping 1 cup servings.. *Note- you can swap out the ground beef for turkey/chicken to lower points on blue/purple
Notes
You can store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. This recipe freezes well making it a great option for meal prep.
To reheat from frozen, let dethaw then you can cook it in a pan over medium heat on the stove, use a casserole dish in the oven or you can use the microwave.
Looking for some similar recipes? Try my Bacon cheeseburger pasta bake or One-pot turkey rigatoni
You may want to include the step that includes the minced garlic. It’s missing.
well it is part of “all the seasonings” but I did update it in case there is any confusion, thanks
This was a hit!! Made this for myself and the teens and there was nothing left haha
Super easy recipe and very tasty! Definitely will be making again in the future!
Thank you!
Hi Jeanette, yay!! I am so glad everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Made this tonight for dinner and it was awesome!!! If you like hamburger helper you will love this! Also very little mess, my kind of meal. We will make this again and again for sure.
Hi Nicole, I am so glad you enjoyed the pasta dish, we all loved it here too!
Do you cook the pasta shells before mixing in wity ground meat and seasonongs?
Hi Shantelle, step #3 the pasta cooks once you add the broth and milk and simmer for 9-12 minutes
Ugggg too much thyme. I may have to throw It out ?
there is 2 tsp in the whole dish?? Sorry that it was too strong for you, each to their own I guess but really 2 tsp of a seasoning in a dish that size is not a lot
Loved that we can enjoy “Hamburger Helper” again, thanks to your healthier version!
You are very welcome, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Delish! A big hit with picky kids, I snuck some spinach and peppers in there too. Will make again for sure!
Awesome, I love when it is picky kid approved cause I myself have one of those haha
My husband and I love this! Have made it every week since you posted it. His coworkers are jealous when he hears up leftovers for lunch. Comes out great with nonfat milk too since that’s all I have.
Haha I love that!!! I’m so glad you both enjoy it 🙂
I just saw this so I have not tried it yet but I have been looking for good recipes with less sodium and diet friendly that people say is really good so I will be trying this soon.
Hi Ruth, I hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Family approved!! Perfect for that comfort food craving. I didn’t tell my husband it had reduced fat cheese until after he said he liked it lol Will definitely keep the recipe to make again. Thanks!
Awesome, so glad everyone enjoyed it 🙂
I input the ingredients in my WW builder and come out with 12 points on blue. I even used ground chicken breast. Not sure where this went wrong ;(
Hi Cindi, here is the breakdown in my App, sometimes products can vary but it should not be that high .. cornstarch 2, tomato paste 1, broth 1, milk 5, reduced fat cheese 12, extra lean ground beef 10, pasta (measured uncooked) 16
Thank you. what kind of pasta is 16 points for 2 cups?
I buy a brand here in Canada that is a high fiber and it works out to 16 SP for 2 cups measured dry, just try scanning a bunch at the grocery store and see what you can find