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Easy Creamy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe for Quick Dinners

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A quick and creamy homemade hamburger helper recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights, featuring a rich cheesy sauce with blended cottage cheese for smoothness and comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 8 oz medium shell pasta (elbows or shells)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no pink remains, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  3. Push beef mixture to one side of the skillet. Add butter to the cleared space and let it melt. Sprinkle in flour and stir constantly to create a roux, thickening the sauce.
  4. Slowly whisk in beef broth and milk, combining smoothly. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. While sauce simmers, blend cottage cheese until smooth using a blender or food processor.
  6. Stir dry pasta and blended cottage cheese into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce is creamy, about 10-12 minutes. Add water or broth if sauce becomes too thick.
  7. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is silky. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Use small-curd cottage cheese for best blending results. For gluten-free, substitute flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend. Stir often but gently to prevent sticking and breaking pasta. Adjust liquid as needed depending on pasta brand. Leftovers store well in fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with splash of milk or broth. Can freeze portions; thaw overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: homemade hamburger helper, creamy hamburger helper, quick dinner, easy family meal, ground beef pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/easy-creamy-homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe-for-quick-dinners/