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Homemade Three Cheese Hamburger Helper photo

Three Cheese Hamburger Helper

A quick one-pan, three-cheese hamburger helper: ground beef and pasta simmered in beef broth, finished with sour cream and a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Spatula or wooden spoon
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 1 poundground beef extra lean
  • 1 tablespoonketchup
  • 1 teaspoonDijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoonhot sauce such as Sriracha, optional
  • 1 teaspoononion powder
  • 3 clovesgarlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoonsalt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoonpepper or to taste
  • 8 ouncepasta such as elbow or shells (2 cups)
  • 3 1/2 cupsbeef broth low sodium
  • 1/2 cupsour cream
  • 1 cupcheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cupmozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cupMonterey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1 tablespoonparsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound extra lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula, until no longer pink and starting to brown (about 6–8 minutes).
  • If there is excess fat, carefully drain it from the skillet; if using extra lean beef there may be little to no fat to drain.
  • Return the skillet to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon ketchup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional), 1 teaspoon onion powder, 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir to combine and cook about 30–60 seconds to blend the flavors.
  • Add 8 ounces pasta (about 2 cups) and 3 1/2 cups beef broth (low sodium) to the skillet. Stir to loosen any browned bits from the bottom.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to a simmer (medium-low). Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup sour cream until smooth and combined.
  • Add 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. If needed, return to very low heat briefly and stir until fully melted.
  • Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

You can useground chickenorturkeyto reduce the fat content.
This dish is also delicious the next day, just be sure to store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to3 – 4days. You can freeze this recipe too, it’ll stay fresh for up to3 monthsin an airtight container.