A homemade way to make “Hamburger Helper” cheeseburger macaroni! You can be extra healthy and make your own canned cheese soup substitute (recipe included below). This is a big favorite in our house, and always a kid-pleasing dish
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- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 10.5 oz can cheddar cheese soup
- 1 10.5 oz can beef broth or make your own from bouillon or paste
- 1-1.5 cups water to taste (see notes, I use 1)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or any small/medium pasta
- additional seasonings optional, see notes
- . . . FOR THE CHEESE SOUP:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard
Ingredients
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- For the cheeseburger pasta: Brown ground beef or turkey and drain any grease. Add all the other ingredients and heat to a boil. Cook over medium heat (or medium-low, see notes) 10-15 minutes or until done, stirring often.
- For the Cheddar Cheese soup substitute: Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan; blend in flour and salt and cook until bubbly. Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in milk. Return to heat and cook, stirring, until smooth and thickened. Stir in cheese and mustard. Stir until completely incorporated. Note: If you don't use a can and use this substitute, be sure to make it first, so it's ready once your meat is drained.
Stacy's Notes:
I have made this with both ground turkey and ground beef and both work well. You can make this really quick and easy by using a can of cheddar cheese soup and a can of beef broth. If I have time, I prefer to make my own cheese sauce (so I know what's in it!) and make up some beef broth (I prefer Better than Bouillon brand, a paste you refrigerate after opening). You can use any pasta you like, I've only tried it with macaroni. But I have used wheat, white whole wheat and white and they all work fine (I find it's easier to "hide" whole wheat pasta if you have meat and a cheese sauce!).
I only used about 1 cup of the water, we prefer ours a bit thicker. I usually add more seasonings such as chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, sometimes Nature's Made seasoning, etc. This takes about 12-15 minutes to thicken, with the lid off, on medium to medium-low to get it to the consistency we prefer (a bit on the thick side). Feel free to add more water if you want it thinner. Also, be sure to stay close by and stir often, so that the pasta won't burn and stick to the bottom of the pan. Enjoy!