Hamburger Helper is a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine, but there are some foods that are just unmatched in nostalgia and comfort that you have to keep coming back to. (I’m looking at you blue box of mac and cheese!) Hamburger Helper is certainly one of those for many of us. But you know what? When you make your own at home, you don’t have to feel guilty about it all… You get the same delicious nostalgic flavor but you can pronounce every ingredient that goes into the skillet (which you might not be able to say for the box) and it is every bit as quick and easy as that original store bought dinner solution.

If you’ve made Hamburger Helper before, this process will look pretty familiar. We’re really using the same method here, just using our own spices and seasonings so you don’t have to worry about preservatives or fillers. Just like with the boxed version, you’ll start by browning your ground beef, which you’ll season with mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and some cornstarch to thicken the sauce later on.

Since this is the Cheeseburger Macaroni variety, ketchup gets stirred in next, followed by milk, water, and the macaroni. Just like with the original, the macaroni cooks right in the skillet along with everything else, so making this couldn’t get much easier.

Once the pasta is tender and it’s absorbed some of the sauce, you stir in some sour cream and cheddar cheese until the residual heat melts it into a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s honestly very hard to resist.

This is a dinner that’s done in twenty minutes, max, and it’s all done in a single pan. You don’t need a box to make it any easier – just use a handful of ingredients you have on hand anyway and you can get the same comforting, cheesy flavor you know and love. Turns out, you don’t need any brand to help your hamburger… you can help it yourself!