Cheese Steak Homemade Hamburger Helper
Cheese Steak Homemade Hamburger Helper is a quick, comforting one-pot meal blending ground beef, sautéed vegetables, tender macaroni pasta, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy recipe delivers cheesy, savory flavors with simple pantry staples and offers customizable options to suit your taste and dietary needs.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups dry macaroni pasta
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese (cheddar recommended)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs (dried basil, oregano, thyme mix)
- Brown the Ground Beef and Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent, releasing their aroma.
- Add Liquid and Pasta: Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes, stirring well. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir in dry macaroni pasta, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and let the pasta cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Stir in the Cheese: Lower the heat and add shredded cheese. Stir thoroughly until cheese melts into a creamy sauce coating every bite.
- Final Taste and Adjust: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning if needed with extra salt, pepper, or more cheese. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting homemade meal!
Notes
- Use medium heat when cooking beef and vegetables to prevent burning.
- Do not overcook the pasta; keep it slightly firm as it softens further with cheese.
- Opt for low-moisture shredded cheese to avoid watery sauce.
- Adding fresh parsley or basil at the end enhances freshness.
- This dish reheats well; add a splash of broth when reheating to keep it creamy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Cheese Steak, Hamburger Helper, one-pot meal, ground beef recipe, cheesy pasta, quick dinner, family friendly