This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper. Swapping the boxed stuff out and making everyone’s childhood dinner completely homemade, and healthier too. Plus so much tastier! Think of this hamburger helper as the tastier, creamier version of what you’d eat as a kid. It’s made with ground beef, seasonings, pasta, and a little shredded zucchini too (for added veggies). Comfort food at its best, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Half Baked Harvest At Home
20+ new recipes for wholesome comfort food made with everyday ingredients. Pre-order today! HBH At Home will be released on Tuesday, February 23rd!
I didn’t grow up eating hamburger helper, neither did my brothers. But for whatever reason, this has been a recipe I wanted to try and recreate for a while now. Ever since my older brother mentioned the idea to me a year or so ago it’s been on my “to make” list.
Not going to lie, it’s obviously not my usual kind of recipe, as I tend to sway towards recipes with a bit more color. But something about recreating this in a healthier, tastier, way really excited me.
So while it may have taken me over a year to finally test this out and share, the day is here. And I’m excited because this really is that perfect early fall, September dinner.
The idea
So as I said, my brother had mentioned creating a recipe for homemade (not boxed) hamburger helper. He said that if I could make it like the boxed stuff, but with a creamier texture, and a little more depth of flavor, that it would be, “SO GOOD”.
I wasn’t excited at first, but then I started to think about the upgrades I could make. I wondered, “could I make it healthier, but still creamy? Could we add a little flavor, but still keep it classic? And could I make it all in one pot just like the box?”.
All of the challenges started to excite me, so I figured if I could get each one checked off, then I would have a great recipe!
This is a one pot dinner, so the details are simple
First of all, find yourself a nice big pot or braiser to cook this in. I love this one and think it’s the perfect size for this recipe.
Now, starting cooking! Simply add the beef and onion to your pot and brown it all over, add in some spices, and then the pasta. And next? The ingredient that adds a little health to the recipe…a bit of shredded zucchini.
I love adding shredded zucchini to pasta dishes like this. Not only does the zucchini incorporate a vegetable into the recipe, but it also adds moisture and creates an even creamier sauce.
Finish it up
Once the pasta and zucchini are both added, pour over the broth and milk. Add a squeeze of ketchup (sounds weird, but trust me), then cook everything together until that pasta is al dente.
It’s important to stir the pasta frequently to ensure that nothing is sticking. But other than that, everything is EASY.
The final step is to stir in a handful of cheddar cheese. Serve up the hamburger helper topped with fresh parsley (it needs a little color!) and enjoy!
As I always like to say – homemade is best!
Excited to have this recipe in my back pocket for cozy fall and winter dinners to come. And Creighton’s verdict? He loved every bite. He said, “how could someone not love this? It’s basically mac and cheese with meat…and it’s delicious”.
So there ya go! He doesn’t lie.
You can use ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta.
Looking for other easy family dinners? Here are a few ideas:
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
One Pan Autumn Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
Easy Southern Style Baked Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Cheese Stuffed Pasta Bolognese Bake
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make this Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 zucchini, grated , (about 1 cup grated)
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk, (use what you drink)
- 1 1/2-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot set over medium hight heat, add the olive oil, onion and beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until brown all over, breaking up the meat as you go, about 10 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder, cook another minute.2. Add the pasta and zucchini and toss to coat, then pour in the broth and milk. Add the ketchup and stir to combine. Season with salt. 3. Bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Simmer 5-8 minutes until the pasta is al dente, stirring often. 4. Stir in the cheese and cook another few minutes until very creamy. 5. Divide the pasta among bowls and top with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Go to favorite for our family!
Hey Jocelyn,
Wonderful! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it. Have a great week!
This is such a good recipe for hamburger helper from a box! My kids completely smash it and they usually don’t touch ground beef or zucchini dishes! We do 3/4th of milk and 1/4th heavy whipping cream per preference. Sometimes I feel like it needs more liquid to help the noodles cook so I just add a splash more broth but cooking it on low/simmer helps the noodles cook perfectly when added at the time stated.
Hey Savannah,
Awesome!! Love to hear this recipe always turns out well for you, thanks for making it so often and your comment!
Shouldn’t you take off heat when adding the cheese so it doesn’t separate?
Hi Halen,
You can go ahead and do that! I hope you love this dish, let me know if you give it a try!
I like the concept of this recipe, but the pasta had a weird, chewy texture and I needed to add a lot more broth/milk to get it to cook. I would try it again, but perhaps partially cook the pasta first.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks so much for trying this dish and sharing your feedback! Sorry to hear you had some issues with the noodles. Did you use gluten free by chance?
I made this for dinner tonight. My husband and kids thoroughly enjoyed it 😊
Hey there,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your thoughts, I’m so happy it worked for you! Have the best week!
It looks delicious
Thanks so much, Isla! I hope you love this dish!
This is my idea of a perfect fall dinner. What pasta is featured in the photo? The zucchini was a brilliant addition.
Hey Amber,
Wonderful! Thanks for choosing to make this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it turned out well for you!
I used Shellbows from Delallo.
Delicious
Hey Deb,
Awesome! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed!
I love the idea of freezing this as someone had already posted they did. What would be the best way to do so? Thanks!
Hey Laura,
I would freeze in an airtight container and then warm in the oven or on the stove top. You could add a little milk when reheating so it doesn’t dry out.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Loved this! I doubled the recipe to freeze a pan for when I have my baby at the end of November!
Hey Kelly,
Happy Sunday!! I am so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for choosing to make it!
Congrats on your newest addition!
I made this recipe last year and let me tell you I made a massive batch of it and there was no leftovers by the end of the night my family enjoyed this dish so much that they asked me to try to make it again
Hey there,
I appreciate you trying this recipe and taking the time to comment, I’m so glad it was enjoyed!
I made this recipe tonight and a couple other times for my family. My husband and daughters love it. It’s quick to make and an easy clean up with one pot.
So yummy for a chilly fall evening. I followed the recipe exactly as listed, turned out perfect.
Thanks for giving quick, easy, and delish dinner ideas!
Hey Olivia,
Love to hear this! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful weekend!