Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna is just as easy as the boxed version—but with fewer mystery ingredients and a bit more real-food goodness. The best part? Your whole family will devour it without even realizing it didn’t come from a box. And you? You’ll love that it’s still a one pan dinner that keeps dishes (and effort) to a minimum.
Classic Hamburger Helper is an easy go-to dish that’s been saving weeknights since the ’70s. Our homemade version uses fresher ingredients that are just as easy to keep on-hand as the boxed stuff lurking in your pantry. It’s easy peasy, kid-approved, and checks all the boxes for a quick easy weeknight dinner. Plus, it brings that same classic comfort food vibe to the table—just without the preservatives and tongue-twisting ingredients.
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Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Pasta: I use bowtie (aka farfalle), but if I could get my hands on 'mafalda pasta-which looks like mini lasagna noodles—I totally would. Any short-cut pasta that cooks in 11–12 minutes will work like a charm. I tested it with broken lasagna noodles and unless you enjoy waiting forever, skip that idea.
- Ground Beef: Lean ground beef saves you from draining, and honestly, I hate draining ground beef. If you go with 80/20, you'll need to drain the excess fat before moving on. Sorry, I don't make the rules. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage all work. Just know that if you're using turkey or chicken, you'll need to add a splash of olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil to the pan first—otherwise, it’ll stick.
- Pasta Sauce: We’re team marinara—usually the store brand because I’m jazzing it up with broth, milk, and spices anyway. Yes, I’ll splurge on lean beef but grab the cheap sauce. Don’t question my logic.
- Broth: I add beef broth to, as Rachael Ray puts it, "give it that cooked-all-day flavor." No broth? Sub water and keep it moving.
- Milk: A little milk makes the sauce creamy and cozy.
- Seasoning: Our homemade “seasoning packet” features Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and corn starch to thicken things up. Want to swap in fresh minced garlic? Toss it in the pan with the other seasonings (so sophisticated).
- Cheese: Mozzarella and parmesan cheese—because what’s a lasagna-inspired dish without them? Everything’s better with cheese. Am I right?! The day I made this batch, I had a block of mozzarella (fancy, I know), and while it melts like a dream, I usually grab the pre-shredded stuff to keep things easy and weeknight-friendly.
Step-By-Step Instructions (with photos)
See recipe card below for complete directions with amounts.
Step 1: In a small bowl mix the Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper and, corn starch; set aside.
Step 2: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the marinara sauce and water, bring to a boil.
Step 3: Add the seasoning mix and milk and stir until combined.
Step 4: Add the pasta, reduce heat to medium low and cook, covered for 14-16 minutes stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
Optional Add-Ins
- A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a little heat if you like things spicy.
- Diced onions can be tossed in when you brown the ground beef. I left them out to keep this recipe low-prep, but they’re a tasty way to boost flavor.
- Chopped bell peppers are another great addition if you want to sneak in some extra veggies or add a little sweetness.
Try these easy pasta dishes next!
Frequently Asked Questions
A fresh veggie, simple side salad, or some garlic bread all pair perfectly with this dish. It’s great with just about anything easy and comforting.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave in 30 to 45-second intervals, stirring each time, until it’s heated through.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups bowtie pasta
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined; set aside.1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess grease if not using lean ground beef. Add the marinara sauce and beef broth and bring to a boil, add the seasoning mix and milk.1 lb lean ground beef, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup beef broth, ½ cup milk
- Add the pasta, return the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.2 cups bowtie pasta
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan over the top and pop the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Tips for success
Why do you include metric measurements?
While the U.S. still mostly uses cups and tablespoons, the rest of the world uses metric. I include both to make my recipes easier for everyone—no conversions needed! The metric amounts are calculated automatically and work great for everyday cooking. Since these recipes aren’t for baking (where exact weights really matter), a few grams one way or the other won’t hurt a thing.Just toggle to the metric version to view the measurements in grams, milliliters, and more!
Nutrition
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