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One Pot Cheeseburger Helper

This One Pot Cheeseburger Helper is a creamy, cheesy homemade skillet dinner made with ground beef, pasta, real cheddar cheese, and a rich savory sauce. It is easy, comforting, and ready in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 490
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

One Pot Cheeseburger Helper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt or table salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 1/2 cups milk use what you drink, but do not use skim milk
  • 2 cups dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles about 1/2 pound
  • 2 cups grated yellow sharp cheddar cheese or 1 8-ounce block, grated

Equipment

  • Large deep sauté pan or cast iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cheese grater

Method
 

  1. In a large deep sauté pan or cast iron skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  4. Add the tomato paste and stir it well into the meat mixture.
  5. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the tomato paste slightly deepens in color.
  6. Add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, sugar, black pepper, and flour.
  7. Stir until everything is well combined, then cook for 1 minute.
  8. Slowly whisk in the beef broth, then add the milk and stir well.
  9. Add the dry pasta and increase the heat to high.
  10. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  11. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta does not stick, until the pasta is cooked through.
  12. Remove the pan from the heat.
  13. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted, creamy, and fully combined.
  14. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

This homemade One Pot Cheeseburger Helper is better than the boxed version and just as easy to make.
Remove the pan from the heat before stirring in the cheddar cheese. This helps prevent the cheese from separating or becoming grainy.
If the pasta is still too firm and the sauce has reduced too much, add a splash of milk or broth and continue cooking over low heat until the pasta is al dente.
Use freshly grated cheddar cheese for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.