Homemade Lasagna Hamburger Helper brings ground beef, onion, marinara, cream, pasta, and melted cheese together in one skillet. The uncooked rigatoni or penne absorbs the seasoned beef broth and tomato sauce as it simmers, creating a rich weeknight dinner without boiling pasta separately.
The recipe makes 6 hearty servings in 30 minutes, with 5 minutes preparation and 25 minutes cooking. Covered simmering cooks the pasta in 10–15 minutes, and a short covered rest or brief broil melts the mozzarella before Parmesan is added.
Homemade Lasagna Hamburger Helper Ingredients
Begin with 1 pound ground beef and 1 medium chopped onion. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
The skillet liquid uses 2 cups beef broth, 2 cups marinara sauce, and ½ cup heavy cream. Add 8 ounces uncooked pasta, with penne or rigatoni recommended. Finish with 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan for serving.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Taco Bell Quesarito.
How to Make Homemade Lasagna Hamburger Helper
- Brown 1 pound ground beef with the chopped medium onion over medium heat, breaking up the meat until no pink remains and the onion softens.
- Drain excess grease. Add salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; stir evenly.
- Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in beef broth, marinara, heavy cream, and 8 ounces uncooked pasta.
- Stir, cover, and simmer on medium-low for 10–15 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until the pasta is tender and sauce thick.
- Sprinkle with 1–2 cups mozzarella. Cover for 2–3 minutes to melt, or broil an oven-safe skillet for 1–2 minutes.
- Add grated Parmesan, rest 2–3 minutes, and serve hot.
For food-safety guidance while cooking, use the USDA safe minimum temperature chart.
Choose a Skillet With a Lid
Brown Beef and Onion Together
Drain Excess Grease
Add Five Measured Seasonings
Cook One Tablespoon Garlic Briefly
Pour in the Exact Three Liquids
Add Eight Ounces Uncooked Pasta
Cover and Simmer on Medium-Low
Stir a Couple of Times
Check Tenderness and Sauce Thickness
Melt One to Two Cups Mozzarella
Optional One-to-Two-Minute Broil
Finish With Parmesan and Rest
Keep the Thirty-Minute Schedule
Avoid Common One-Skillet Errors
Conclusion
Brown 1 pound beef with 1 chopped onion over medium heat and drain. Add salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, then cook 1 tablespoon garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in 2 cups each beef broth and marinara, ½ cup cream, and 8 ounces uncooked penne or rigatoni. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 10–15 minutes, stirring twice. Top with 1–2 cups mozzarella, melt covered for 2–3 minutes or broil 1–2 minutes, add Parmesan, and rest 2–3 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Does the pasta need to be boiled separately?
No. Add 8 ounces dry penne or rigatoni directly to the broth, marinara, and cream so it cooks in the skillet.
- → How long should the covered pasta simmer?
Simmer on medium-low for 10–15 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- → How much mozzarella should I use?
Use between 1 and 2 cups shredded mozzarella, which is the original recipe’s stated range.
- → How many servings does Homemade Lasagna Hamburger Helper make?
It makes 6 hearty servings in a listed total time of 30 minutes.