Homemade Cheesy Hamburger Helper (Printer-Friendly)

Quick, cheesy skillet dish with tender pasta and savory ground beef in a creamy tomato sauce.

# What You’ll Need to Cook:

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef

02 - 1 medium onion, diced

03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

05 - 2 cups small pasta shells or elbow macaroni

06 - 2 cups beef broth

07 - 1 cup tomato sauce

08 - ½ cup heavy cream

09 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

10 - 1½ cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese

11 - Salt and pepper to taste

01 - Cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess grease, reserving 2 tablespoons in the skillet. Set beef aside.

02 - Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic for the last 30 seconds.

03 - Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to cook the flour.

04 - Slowly whisk in beef broth and bring to a boil, stirring until thickened.

05 - Stir in tomato sauce, seasonings, and pasta. Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until pasta is tender.

06 - Stir in heavy cream and cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.

07 - Return cooked ground beef to the skillet, stir, and cook for 5 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

08 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra cheese or herbs.

01 - For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta.

02 - Add vegetables like chopped carrots or spinach for extra nutrition.

03 - To reheat, add a splash of cream or broth to restore creamy texture.