Welcome back to Childhood Eats, where we take those classic childhood favorites and give them a grown-up twist that’s even better than you remember.
Ever wondered about Hamburger Helper? It’s like Kraft macaroni & cheese but with beef, and it hit the scene back in 1971 when beef prices were soaring. Originally aimed at busy moms, it turned out single guys loved it too. I remember making it with my brothers, jazzing it up with peas and spices. There are tons of flavors, but we’re keeping it classic with cheeseburger macaroni.
Now, imagine this: homemade cavatelli pasta, freshly ground beef, creamy sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese. This isn’t your ordinary Hamburger Helper; it’s a trip down memory lane with a gourmet twist.
Sure, I went all out with fresh pasta and hand-ground meat, but Hamburger Helper is all about ease. You can use store-bought pasta and pre-ground beef for convenience.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
FOR THE PASTA
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups water
FOR THE HAMBURGER HELPER
- 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon Frank’s Red Hot
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
FOR THE PASTA
- Mix flour, salt, olive oil, and water in a bowl until it forms dough.
- Knead the dough until smooth, then let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough, cut it into strips, then shape the cavatelli.
- Freeze them if making ahead.
FOR THE HAMBURGER HELPER
- Cook onion and garlic until translucent, then brown the ground beef with spices.
- Boil the cavatelli until they float, then drain.
- Stir in Frank’s Red Hot, sour cream, and broth with the beef.
- Add the cooked cavatelli and cheese, stir until melted.
- Season to taste, garnish with green onions, and enjoy!