Quick and easy hamburger helper. Elbow pasta sautéed with ground beef, garlic, onions, marinara sauce, and cheddar cheese.
As pasta recipes go, this one is usually a family favorite, with wonderful flavors and providing a sense of comfort. The calories per serving are not fantastic, but treat yourself every once and a while with a taste from childhood.
NOTE
Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
How to Make this Hamburger Helper Recipe
Preparing the Pasta:
- Prepare the pasta according to the package.
Preparing the Ground Beef:
- While the pasta is cooking. In a extra large skillet or large pot brown the ground beef by sautéing for 5 minutes on high heat. Mix occasionally and ensure you are breaking up the ground beef with a spoon or spatula.
- Next, add in the garlic and onions and sauté for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
Bringing the Hamburger Helper Recipe Together:
- Lower to medium heat and add in the marinara sauce and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add in the cooked elbow pasta and cheddar cheese and cook for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
How to Server Hamburger Helper:
- Sprinkle granted cheese over the pasta mixture and serve family style in a large bowl, or in individual portions.
More Pasta Recipes
Pasta Primavera Recipe
Chop up some vegetables, sprinkle on some olive oil, roast away, and combine with pasta.
Pasta with Escarole and Beans
Escarole sautéed in garlic and oil and combined with cannellini beans, pasta, and grated cheese.
Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes
Zucchini and tomatoes sautéed with garlic and onions and mixed with pasta.
Pasta with Artichokes and Peppers
Artichokes and peppers sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes and mixed with penne pasta.
The Recipe
Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef 80/20
- 1 lb. elbow pasta
- 4 cloves of garlic sliced
- 1 onion diced
- 24 oz. marinara sauce
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- Grated Cheese for serving
Instructions
Preparing the Pasta:
- Prepare the pasta according to the package.
Preparing the Ground Beef:
- While the pasta is cooking. In a extra large skillet or large pot brown the ground beef by sauteing for 5 minutes on high heat. Mix occasionally and ensure you are breaking up the ground beef with a spoon or spatula.
- Next, add in the garlic and onions and saute for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
Bringing it All Together:
- Lower to medium heat and add in the marinara sauce and cook for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Next, add in the cooked elbow pasta and cheddar cheese and cook for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.
To Serve:
- Sprinkle granted cheese over the pasta mixture and serve family style in a large bowl, or in individual portions.
Invent Your Recipe
Nutrition
Invent Your Recipe:
Hamburger helper just brings you back to childhood. This version of hamburger helper is very simple with just a few common ingredients. You can easily move away from this traditional recipe by adding in some vegetables, such as, peas, broccoli, peppers, or green beans.
For the base of this recipe I went with marinara sauce for its ease and great flavor. I have also made this recipe with tomato paste (mixed with red wine), diced tomatoes, or fresh tomatoes.
For more great recipes check out our beef recipes page.
For even more great ideas like this hamburger helper dish check out our Pinterest page.
Reminds me of childhood