Crockpot Homemade Hamburger Helper
There’s just something about a slow cooker dinner that makes the whole day feel easier. This one is creamy, cheesy, and so comforting — but made at home with simple ingredients. My toddlers cleaned their plates, and that’s always a win 🤍
Ingredients:
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• Italian seasoning
• Oregano
• Salt & pepper
• 1 box elbow noodles
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
2. Add cooked beef to the crockpot with tomato sauce, beef broth, and seasonings. Stir to combine.
3. Cook on low for 5–6 hours.
4. Stir in heavy whipping cream, uncooked elbow noodles, and shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until noodles are tender and creamy.
Serve warm and enjoy 🤍
Simple dinners like this make busy evenings feel a little softer.
#easyweeknightdinner #easydinnerrecipe #easydinneridea #dinnerideas #crockpotdinner
Using a crockpot to prepare homemade hamburger helper transforms a classic comfort food into an effortless weeknight meal. One of the best advantages is the ability to set it in the morning and come back to a hot, ready-to-eat dinner that smells inviting and warm. In my experience, slow cooking the beef with tomato sauce and seasonings for several hours allows the flavors to blend beautifully, creating a robust base for the dish. When I first tried this recipe, I was pleasantly surprised by how the elbow noodles cooked directly in the crockpot, absorbing all the flavorful liquid and becoming tender without turning mushy. The addition of heavy whipping cream and shredded cheddar towards the end adds a luscious creaminess and cheesy richness reminiscent of traditional hamburger helper, but without the preservatives and artificial flavors. For busy parents like me, this recipe is a lifesaver because it requires minimal prep and uses pantry staples. I also find that customizing the seasoning with Italian herbs like oregano and Italian seasoning elevates the dish, and you can easily adjust salt and pepper to taste. It’s amazing how toddlers who are normally picky about dinner happily clean their plates thanks to the comforting and familiar cheesy texture. To add variety, I sometimes toss in chopped bell peppers or mushrooms during the initial slow cook for extra nutrients, or swap cheddar for a sharper cheese like smoked gouda for a different flavor profile. This homemade version of hamburger helper is not only cost-effective but also healthier and more satisfying than boxed alternatives. It’s truly a simple crockpot dinner that makes busy evenings feel more manageable and mealtime more enjoyable.
