Description
This cheesy pasta dish is a homemade one-pot hamburger helper-style dinner. Ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and plenty of melty cheese cook together to make the ultimate weeknight comfort meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if beef is lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 2 1/2 cups short pasta (elbow, shells, rotini, or penne)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
3. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Pour in the dry pasta and beef broth. Stir so the pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
5. When the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, pour in the heavy cream and stir.
6. Reduce heat to low. Add shredded cheddar a handful at a time, stirring until melted and creamy. Stir in Parmesan.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add a splash of broth or milk.
8. Garnish with parsley or green onion and serve hot.
Notes
Use elbow pasta for a more classic Hamburger Helper texture.
Add 1 cup frozen peas or corn at the end for extra veggies.
To make it spicy, add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño with the onions.
Great with garlic bread, salad, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, One Pot
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg