One rainy Thursday afternoon, my college-age niece arrived at my door after a campus tour, shivering and hungry. She needed something quick and satisfying before tackling her assignments. As I rummaged in the pantry, I spotted ground beef and spiral pasta and immediately thought of a hearty skillet meal I once shared with my sister back when our kids were in scouts.

We’d ended the day hiking in the Smoky Mountains with this exact mix of savory beef, cheesy sauce, and tender pasta in a single pan—every forkful felt like comfort in a bowl.

That memory inspired tonight’s dish. I diced onions and bell pepper while she unloaded campus news, and the sizzling skillet filled with warm spices felt like home coming back to the kitchen. A splash of A1 sauce reminded me of our tradition of adding a special ingredient at the end to surprise everyone. When the cheese melted over the tender spirals, we dug in together—no forks left untouched, just gratitude for food that nourishes both body and conversation.

This Cheese Steak Hamburger Helper puts simple ingredients to good use. It’s quick enough for dinner plans that change at the last minute, flexible enough to satisfy hungry students, and family-friendly enough to become someone’s comfort food staple.

Short Description

A creamy, cheesy one-skillet meal combining seasoned beef, bell pepper, spiral pasta, and plenty of mozzarella—all cooked together for a comforting and easy dinner.

Key Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon steak seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons A1 Steak Sauce
1½ cups beef broth
1½ cups whole milk
8 ounces tomato sauce
2½ cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Tools Needed

Large deep skillet with lid
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Cheese grater

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat skillet over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no pink remains, about 6–7 minutes.

Step 2: Add Aromatics and Seasoning
Add chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 3–5 minutes until softened. Carefully drain excess grease. Stir in steak seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano until beef and vegetables are well coated.

Step 3: Build the Sauce
Pour in beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, and A1 Steak Sauce. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Simmer
Add uncooked spiral pasta, pushing it down so it’s submerged. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: Melt in Cheese
Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella until melted and creamy. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese evenly over the top, cover again, and let sit 2 minutes to melt fully.

Step 6: Serve Immediately
Remove from heat and serve hot, spooning onto plates straight from the skillet.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Flavor Explosion: Savory beef and bell peppers with cheesy, creamy spiral pasta

One-Pan Wonder: Easy cleanup and minimal prep

Quick & Satisfying: Ready in about 30 minutes

Kid & College-Friendly: Hearty, family-approved comfort food

Adaptable: Swap veggies or seasoning to fit your taste

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Undercooked pasta
Solution: Ensure liquid covers pasta and simmer evenly; stir occasionally.

Greasy skillet
Solution: Drain beef fat completely before adding seasonings and liquids.

Dry final dish
Solution: Measure liquids accurately and cover skillet during simmer.

Cheese clumps or uneven melt
Solution: Stir in cheese off heat for smooth melting, then rest under lid briefly.

Scorched bottom
Solution: Stir halfway through simmer and use medium-low heat.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Scoop into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or green onion

Pair with garlic bread or a crisp green salad

Serve family-style straight from the skillet for casual dinners

Perfect for quick weeknight meals or informal gatherings

Storage and Reheating Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Reheat on stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk to refresh creaminess

Microwave single servings in 90-second intervals, stirring halfway

Freeze cooled portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months; thaw overnight and reheat gently

FAQs

1. Can I use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta?
Yes. Adjust cooking time as indicated on the pasta package.

2. Is there a lighter version?
Use lean ground turkey, low-fat milk, and part-skim cheese.

3. Can I make this ahead?
You can cook through simmer, cool, and refrigerate. Add cheese and reheat when ready.

4. What toppings work well?
Chopped fresh parsley, sliced jalapeños, or extra steak sauce.

5. Is this freezer-friendly?
Yes. Freeze before adding cheese; reheat before serving and mix in fresh cheese.

Tips & Tricks

Brown beef fully before adding veggies for extra flavor

Let sauce thicken slightly before adding pasta so it doesn’t become soupy

Use freshly grated mozzarella for better melt and texture

Stir gently to preserve spiral shape and prevent breaking

Rest the dish with lid on after cooking to let flavors meld

Recipe Variations

Spicy Chipotle: Stir in 1 tablespoon chipotle sauce and top with pepper jack cheese

Veggie Boost: Add one cup of chopped mushrooms and spinach with the bell pepper

Italian Twist: Use Italian seasoning blend instead of steak seasoning, swap mozzarella for fontina, and omit A1 sauce

Low-Carb Casserole: Replace pasta with cauliflower florets and bake topped with cheese until golden

Final Thoughts

This Cheese Steak Hamburger Helper is a skillet full of memories—like those mountain hikes I shared with family and the rainy afternoons when my niece needed something warm and filling. The creamy sauce, cheesy swirls, and tender beef spiral together in a way that comforts both the body and the heart.

Some recipes speak louder than words, and this one always says, ‘Welcome home.” Try it tonight—you might just find a new family favorite.

Cheese Steak Hamburger Helper

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Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon steak seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons A1 Steak Sauce
1½ cups beef broth
1½ cups whole milk
8 ounces tomato sauce
2½ cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Beef
Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes until no pink remains.

Step 2: Add Veggies and Seasoning
Add onion and bell pepper. Cook 3–5 minutes until soft. Drain grease, then stir in all seasonings to coat.

Step 3: Add Liquids
Pour in broth, milk, tomato sauce, and A1. Stir well.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Simmer
Add pasta, submerge it, then bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Add Cheese
Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella until melted. Sprinkle the rest on top, cover, and let sit 2 minutes to melt.

Step 6: Serve
Remove from heat and serve warm straight from the skillet.