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The Best Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper | Easy Dinner Recipe

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3.9 from 4 reviews

This Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper is a comforting and easy dinner recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, cheesy pasta dish packed with ground beef and flavorful seasonings. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses a slow cooker to meld flavors effortlessly while you go about your day. Tender elbow macaroni cooked right in the sauce, sharp cheddar cheese, and a touch of creaminess from cream cheese and heavy cream make this a family favorite that’s both hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 4–5 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp mustard powder
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1½ cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Pasta

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess grease to avoid a greasy final dish.
  2. Build the base: Transfer the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker. Add diced onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, red pepper flakes if using, and stir everything together to combine the flavors.
  3. Add liquids & cook: Pour in the beef broth and milk into the slow cooker with the meat and seasonings. Stir well to distribute. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften.
  4. Add pasta & creaminess: About 20 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni along with heavy cream and cream cheese. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the cream cheese evenly into the sauce and ensure the pasta is submerged.
  5. Finish cooking: Cover the slow cooker again and cook until the pasta is tender, which should take about 15 to 20 minutes. This step ensures the pasta cooks directly in the flavorful sauce.
  6. Add cheese & serve: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until it melts completely, creating a creamy and cheesy texture. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve hot.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes to taste or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • You can substitute elbow macaroni with other small pasta shapes such as shells or rotini.
  • To make the dish lighter, use reduced-fat milk and skip the heavy cream in favor of additional milk or broth.
  • Brown the ground beef thoroughly to improve flavor and reduce excess grease in the dish.
  • This dish can be doubled to serve a larger crowd; just ensure your slow cooker has enough capacity.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/the-best-slow-cooker-hamburger-helper-easy-dinner-recipe/