Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper

— Written by Rebecca Liverman | June 23, 2025 (Updated: July 8, 2025, 5:40 a.m.)

Tip#2: Saving money, calories, or the environment!

There are many quick options when kids are out of school. This recipe will save you money and calories and is an easy way to get kids involved in the kitchen.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

3. c. chicken broth

1 c. milk

12 oz. of your favorite pasta

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 bag of spinach (optional)

Directions:

Brown ground beef and add onions and garlic. Saute until golden brown. Mix in oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Add chicken broth, milk and tomato sauce and stir together and bring to a boil.

Add in pasta and stir. Continue to stir pasta in sauce until almost all the liquid is dissolved. Turn off the heat and add 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (and optional spinach). Stir to thicken the sauce. Serve warm!

Let's compare single serve Hamburger Helper vs. Homemade — Our #2 topic on saving calories, money, or the environment!

side by side comparison of the homemade nutrition label vs. the store bought. — Let's compare nutrition labels!

Cost comparison between homemade and store bought — Ours costs $0.27/ serving vs. theirs, which costs $3.29 per serving.

This homemade hamburger helper recipe saves you calories and money! — Tip #2 on how to save calories, money, or the environment!