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Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 111 reviews

This Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe features freshly made cavatelli pasta combined with a flavorful ground beef sauce enriched with sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and a touch of Frank’s Red Hot sauce. A comforting, creamy, and cheesy skillet meal that elevates the classic hamburger helper with homemade pasta and bold seasonings.

Ingredients

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For The Pasta

  • 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups water

For The Hamburger Helper

  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Sliced green onion for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pasta Dough: Place sifted flour into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add kosher salt, olive oil, and water into the well. Using a fork, gradually incorporate flour into the liquid until it can be kneaded by hand. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic, adjusting with more flour or water as needed. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Shape the Pasta: After resting, roll the dough into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Cut into strips ¾ inch wide, then cut each strip into ½ inch rectangular pieces. Lightly flour a cavatelli board and roll each piece gently with your thumb down the board. Place the formed cavatelli in a single layer on a floured sheet tray. You may freeze the pasta if preparing ahead.
  3. Cook Onions and Garlic: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook diced onion and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan with onions and garlic. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned, then drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Boil the Pasta: Add the fresh cavatelli to the boiling salted water. Cook for approximately 5 minutes or until the pasta floats to the surface, indicating doneness. Test a piece with a fork to confirm.
  6. Make the Sauce and Combine: Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir Frank’s Red Hot sauce, sour cream, and chicken stock into the cooked beef mixture until well combined. Add the cooked cavatelli to the pan and stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve and Garnish: Serve the homemade hamburger helper immediately, garnished with sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy a rich, cheesy, and spicy comfort food classic with your fresh homemade pasta.

Notes

  • You can use store-bought cavatelli or other small pasta if you prefer to skip making fresh pasta.
  • Freezing the shaped pasta is recommended if you want to prepare in advance; cook from frozen adding an extra minute to the boiling time.
  • Adjust the amount of Frank’s Red Hot sauce and cheese to suit your preferred spice and creaminess levels.
  • Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for ground beef for a leaner option.
  • Garnishing with green onions adds a fresh, mild onion flavor and color contrast.

Keywords: Homemade Hamburger Helper, homemade pasta, cavatelli, ground beef pasta, cheesy beef skillet, comfort food

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/