Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup neutral oil
such as canola or vegetable
- 1 large yellow onion
diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- Salt and black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves
minced
- 5 strips uncooked smoked bacon
finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 3 cups chicken stock or water
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup hot sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 ounces elbow pasta
- 5 slices American cheese
ripped into small pieces
- 1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar
- 1/2 cup finely chopped chives
Directions
- 1
Heat a large (12-inch) sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-low, and add oil and onion; season lightly with salt and pepper. (The hot sauce added in Step 6 will add a lot of flavor, so be careful not to overseason here.) Let cook until the onions turn light beige in color and begin to caramelize, 20 to 25 minutes.
- 2
Add garlic and cook until fragrant and starting to brown ever so slightly, about 2 minutes.
- 3
Increase heat to medium-high and add bacon and ground beef, using the back of a large spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces. Continue to cook until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the meat starts to sear and develop a crust on the bottom of the pan, 12 to 15 minutes.
- 4
Remove pan from the heat and carefully drain off most of the fat, leaving a little in the pan to keep the meat moist.
- 5
Return pan to medium-high heat and add white wine, allowing it to reduce until the mixture is almost dry, about 10 minutes.
- 6
Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, hot sauce, paprika and bay leaf to the pan. Mix until combined and bring to a boil.
- 7
Once the mixture is boiling, add the pasta and cook until al dente, stirring often, about 9 minutes.
- 8
Reduce the heat to low and stir in both types of cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce is thickened.
- 9
Remove the pan from heat, stir in chives and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Homemade Hamburger Helper
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About this Recipe
Craving the ultimate comfort food but want something far beyond a boxed mix? This Homemade Hamburger Helper is the luxurious, one-pot weeknight dinner you've been dreaming of, transforming humble ground beef into a masterpiece. Inspired by Shake Shack's culinary director Mark Rosati, this recipe elevates the nostalgic dish with sophisticated flavors and a satisfying richness.
What makes this recipe truly special is its clever blend of classic macaroni and cheese with the deep, savory complexity of a slow-simmered Bolognese. Every element, including the pasta, cooks together in a single pot, infusing the elbow macaroni with every bit of the flavorful sauce. The smoky bacon, aromatic garlic, and a bold kick from hot sauce (which you can adjust to your liking) create an unforgettable, multi-layered experience that feels both familiar and entirely new.
Expect a deeply satisfying meal that’s wonderfully creamy and incredibly flavorful. Each bite delivers tender elbow pasta enveloped in a rich, meaty sauce, enhanced by the sharp tang of Cheddar and the melt-in-your-mouth quality of American cheese. The hot smoked paprika adds a warm, complex spice, while fresh chives provide a bright finish. It's truly the most luxurious Hamburger Helper you'll ever taste, designed to be both comforting and exciting, with a delicious kick that awakens the palate.
While this recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat, you have complete control. Feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce, starting with less and adding more to reach your ideal spice level. For the pasta, while classic elbow pasta is called for, other small, sturdy shapes like ditalini or small shells could also work beautifully to soak up the creamy sauce.
This robust, flavorful dish is ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner or when you need a hearty, comforting meal to share with family and friends. Serve it as a complete meal, letting its rich flavors speak for themselves.