One-Pot Cheesy Hamburger Helper with Peas
A quick and creamy one-pot hamburger helper made with ground beef, pasta, and sweet peas, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner that kids adore. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs lean ground beef, medium onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1, diced medium onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart until browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 cloves minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 3 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups elbow macaroni, 3 cups beef broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Step 4: Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas and 1 cup milk. Cook uncovered for 2 minutes until peas are heated through.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Let sit for 2 minutes before serving to thicken.
