One-Pot Healthy Hamburger Helper

5 from 34 votes

Skip the boxed varieties, and make this one-pot healthy hamburger helper recipe in just over 30 minutes with whole food ingredients instead!

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: healthier hamburger helper, healthy hamburger helper, healthy hamburger helper recipe

Method: Stove Top

Servings: servings

Author: Lexi

Equipment

1 Dutch Oven

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

Storage:

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.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

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.

What else can I add to this healthier hamburger helper recipe?

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!

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