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Love that classic childhood boxed favorite, but want to make it all homemade and healthier? This Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe is your solution!
Made in one pot, this healthier hamburger helper is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and so delicious!
Table of contents
One-Pot Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper
We are all about quick and easy dinners, using minimal ingredients and this homemade hamburger helper recipe is definitely a winner. One of our favorite one-pot recipes alongside one-pot taco pasta, It’s made with items you likely already have in your pantry, and will surely be a hit with everyone in your home.
This recipe is reminiscent of that version you might remember as a kid. However, it uses real ingredients so it tastes so much better! Did I mention it takes about 30 minutes to cook? Save this recipe, and hang it on your fridge for the next time you need dinner fast!
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
*Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe and ingredient list!
- Olive Oil: Avocado oil will also work.
- Veggies: Onion and garlic create a sweet, savory flavor base. Then, we include diced tomatoes for a pop of color and acidity.
- Grass-Fed Lean Ground Beef: You’ll need one pound of ground beef. I recommend using 80% or leaner. Or, feel free to substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if preferred.
- Seasonings: Sea salt, black pepper, paprika, and oregano create the classic savory flavor you know and love.
- Beef Broth: I recommend using low-sodium broth. Feel free to substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth if needed.
- Gluten-Free Elbow Macaroni: We tested this one-pot pantry pasta with different types of gluten-free pasta and with traditional whole wheat pasta as well. It all worked the same! So, feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: For the best taste and texture, buy a block of cheese, and grate it yourself! Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that impact its flavor and prevent it from melting. Feel free to use a plant-based cheese if you need to keep this recipe dairy-free.
Where I Buy My Meat
- 100% Grass-Fed, Grass-Finished Beef
- Free-Range Organic Chicken
- Humanely Raised Pork
- Wild-Caught Seafood
Delivered to your door! The latest ButcherBox deal can be found right here!
How to Make This Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Sauté: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven. Then, add the onion and garlic, and cook until they soften and become fragrant.
- Brown the meat: Add the beef, and cook, breaking it into pieces until it’s no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Season: Stir in the salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, diced tomatoes, and broth. Then, bring the liquid to a boil.
- Cook the pasta: Add the pasta, and cook to al dente according to the package instructions. Be sure to stir frequently to prevent the pasta from clumping!
- Add the cheese: Shut off the heat. Then, stir in the cheese, and let the pasta simmer and thicken.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy warm!
Watch the video:
How to Store and Reheat
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze this healthy hamburger helper recipe for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat in a skillet or pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of broth as needed to freshen the dish back up. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave, but the pasta is more likely to become a bit mushy.
FAQs
Sure! Simply omit the beef, and stir in black beans or chickpeas for a boost of protein. Or, use your favorite plant-based meat crumbles instead.
I love to include veggies like sautéed zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, red bell pepper, mushrooms, or spinach for a boost of veggies. You can also add a dash of red pepper flakes, chili powder, or hot sauce for a kick of spice!
I love to serve this dish with a side of gluten-free garlic bread, garlicky blistered green beans, air fryer broccoli, or a Caesar salad for extra nutrients!
More Pasta Recipes To Try
One-Pot Healthy Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 15 ounce can diced tomato
- 3-1/2 cups beef broth
- 12 ounce gluten-free elbow macaronia
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Parsley for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in large dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often until starting to soften, about 5 minutes.2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Add in the beef and cook until no pink remains. Remove any excess fat.1 lb. grass-fed ground beef
- Add in the salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, diced tomatos and broth and bring up to a boil.1 teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, 15 ounce can diced tomato, 3-1/2 cups beef broth
- Once boiling, add the pasta to the pot and cook for as long as the package instruction states (if package says to cook pasta for 10 minutes, cook for 10 minutes), stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.12 ounce gluten-free elbow macaronia
- Once the pasta is cooked through, shut off the heat and add the cheese. Stir together, then let the pasta sit for 5 minutes while the sauce continues to thicken up.1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Garnish with parsley, and serve!Parsley
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Freeze this healthy hamburger helper recipe for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat in a skillet or pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of broth as needed to freshen the dish back up. You can also warm leftovers in the microwave, but the pasta is more likely to become a bit mushy.
Really good. Easy to make. And as promised, brought back memories of childhood,
I love this recipe but it never thickens up. What am I doing wrong?
hmmm… are you cooking per instruction of the pasta and then letting it simmer with the cheese?
This is our 4 kids absolute favorite meal. I make it once a week and they eat it all! It’s delicious and hearty… absolutely love
Would chickpea pasta be okay in this?
Totally!
I’ve made this so many times now, figured I’d leave a review as a thank you! The recipe is wonderful, as it, but I typically add some “magic mushroom” powder or coconut aminos and mixed frozen veggies as an added nutritional boost. Love it, Lexi, thank you!
I’ve made this several times, and followed the recipe as is. It’s so easy and tasty. A great recipe for a one pot meal. The only negative, (hardly any leftovers). lol Thank you for this new, healthier version of an older, unhealthy box favorite. It’s a keeper!
Weirdly enough, I never had hamburger helper growing up, but I always wanted some! Thank you 90s commercials. Lol. This was soooo yummy. Exactly what I dreamed it would taste like, and it was an easy, one pot, pantry meal. Thanks again, Lexi! Your recipes are always my go-to.
I’ve made this before and we had it again tonight. It’s easy to put together with no fuss. Just throw together a salad, heat up some good bread and you have a filling, delicious dinner.
This was a crowd pleaser at our house! One bite in, my daughter asked to add this to the list of favorite recipes. I accidentally bought tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes, so that’s what I used. A great quick one pot recipe for a busy day!
Great recipe! Can you freeze this recipe?! How do I go about doing that?
Absolutely LOVE this recipe! I have made it many times now, I love how easy it is and that it’s made with simple ingredients that I have on hand. It tastes amazing and is just as good when you take the leftovers for lunch.
Any ideas for replacing the cheese??
you can always use an alternative cheese or simply omit.
I love pasta and am going to follow this recipe tonight!
I love this recipe! I’m making it tonight and was thinking of adding in some broccoli – trying to get more veggies in every meal. Do you think it would still taste good?
I’d do peas! Broccoli could work too.
I made this foe my daughter and my husband and it was DELICIOSO. Thank you Lexi for another great recipe.
This looks delicious! Do you think I could substitute a can of tomato sauce instead of diced? I have picky eaters who don’t like tomato chunks. Should I adjust the amount of beef broth? Thanks!
Definitely!
So, so good! Everyone in my house gobbled it up!
Another great recipe! Lexi makes me feel like I don’t suck at cooking! Always so easy and SO good. Love this recipe and had a bunch of leftovers which is awesome! Thank you!!!
So good! This recipe absolutely reminded me of one of my childhood favorites, hamburger helper. Except… this one is healthy and preservative free. Super comforting on a cold winter evening. I did everything by the book other than using bison instead of beef. ( that’s what I had on hand)