Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

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This Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper has all the flavors of beef enchiladas, but in an easy one pan pasta dish! Top the pasta with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream!

One pan meals that can be made in less than 30 minutes are some of my favorite recipes to make for an easy dinner! This recipe is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator.

Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 cup of beef broth
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 2 1/2 cups of Shell Pasta
  • 2 10oz cans of Mild enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp each cumin and dried cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1 TBSP minced garlic
  • 2 cups of shredded cheese
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream

Make Enchilada Hamburger Helper

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add one pound of ground beef. Add a chopped onion and let cook until the beef is fully cooked.

Once the ground beef is cooked remove any extra grease. Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne. If you would rather you a taco seasoning packet instead of these seasonings that works too!

Seasoned ground beef

Add 1 tbsp of minced garlic and stir everything together well.

Next, add 2 1/2 cups of medium shells pasta. Elbow pasta would also work for this recipe. Pour the beef broth, milk, and 2 cans of mild enchilada sauce in the skillet. Stir everything together well and bring to a quick boil on the stove.

Enchilada Pasta

As soon as it starts bubbling turn the heat down to medium low, cover with a lid, and let cook for about 12 minutes.

Serve Enchilada Hamburger Helper

Once the pasta is tender and cooked to your liking, stir well. Add about 1 cup of cheese and stir. Top with more cheese and let it sit until it melts. Top the skillet with fresh cilantro and serve! I like a spoonful of sour cream on top of this!

Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

I served green beans with this because my kids like them, but any vegetable you and your family like would be a good easy side dish.

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

  • I used 2 1/2 cups of medium shells pasta, but really any pasta can be used.
  • I like to shred blocks of Colby Jack cheese for a creamier consistency.
  • This dish does have a kick of heat to it, but my kids ate it with no complaints. If you want to cut down on the spice level omit the cayenne and at least 1/2 of the chili powder. You could also just use a taco seasoning packet instead of all of the seasonings in the recipe. Be sure to also use a mild enchilada sauce.
  • The sour cream also does a great job of balancing out some of the spice!
Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

Similar Recipes

Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper

This is an easy one pan dinner recipe that can be made in about 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade hamburger helper, one pan meal, dinner, recipe
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1 cup of beef broth
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 2 1/2 cups of Medium Shell Pasta
  • 2 10 oz cans of Mild enchilada sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp each cumin and dried cilantro
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1 TBSP minced garlic
  • 2 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sour cream

Instructions

  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add a chopped onion. Once beef is fully cooked drain any extra grease.
  • Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, dried cilantro, and cayenne. Add minced garlic and stir.
  • Add beef broth, enchilada sauce, uncooked pasta, and milk to the skillet. Bring to a quick boil and as soon as you start seeing bubbles turn the heat down to medium low. Cover with a lid and cook for about 12 minutes or so stirring once half way through to keep the noodles from sticking to the skillet.
  • Once the pasta is cooked add 1 cup of cheese, stir, and top with the rest of the cheese. Let the skillet sit until the cheese is melted. Top with fresh cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy! Let me know if you try it out!

Notes

This dish does have some heat to it, but my kids ate it without complaining! If you don’t like spicy food leave out the cayenne and 1/2 of the chili powder. You could also use a taco seasoning packet instead of the seasonings in the recipe.
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!

14 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was delicious! Only change I made was I used red pepper flakes instead of cayenne. We just prefer that. Will definitely make again!

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious though I went for a medium enchilada sauce. Great one pan recipe for a chilly night when you have a bit of a cold!

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