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.
This recipe is so yummy!! Making it again tonight ❤️
Hey Sara,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
This recipe is so dang good. I’ve made it multiple times because it’s easy, quick clean up, and makes a ton for meal prep! Definitely one of my all time faves from you.
Hey Emily,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
My parents thought it was good, I myself am not a big fan. For me personally I thought it was lacking some flavour so I added more of the spices listed and made sure I had a good amount of salt & pepper. It was worth a try though
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Bailey, sorry to hear you didn’t love it. xTieghan
Just made this for dinner tonight! It was so delicious and so easy! My daughters loved it. I didn’t have zucchini, so I did add a little extra beef broth to make up for the loss of the liquid from the zucchini, I’ll make again and try it out with the zucchini. We just loved it and I’m not a hamburger helper fan. This was great!
Hey Meghan,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
We loved it! So good. Did omit the zucchini tho haha. Will definitely make this again!
Hey Amy,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
I just made this after rave reviews from a co-worker! It was gobbled up by my non-stop eating 14 year old who asked what the green stuff was! I had left over whole milk from holiday baking and some Gruyère cheese left from entertaining. I used both and I feel that it made the dish extra special! Thank you!!!
Hey Nicole,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
Delicious & easy. My non veggie eating son loved it and had no idea he was eating zucchini. Win!
Hey Nicole,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan
Another AMAZING recipe! Definitely making again soon!!!
Hi Brittani,
Thank you so very much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
My family really enjoyed the flavour of this meal, but I found that the liquid did not thicken up. I think I will reduce the broth next time.
Hey Tracey,
Thank you so very much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
This was delicious!!! Brought me back to childhood but in a much better way!! Great winter meal! I did have the add extra broth/milk and cook longer to get pasta all the way done.
Hey Allie,
Thank you so very much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
I made this with ground chicken and chicken broth, which is a much milder flavor than beef. So to “beef” it up, I added Worcestershire sauce to taste. It turned out great! The addition ingredient helped punch up the flavor that the chicken lacked.
Hi Katelyn,
Thank you so very much for trying this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
found this recipe bland and watery.
Hi Joanne,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
A true family favorite here! My 4 and 5 year old sons and my husband LOVE this dish! Thank you!
Hi Korina,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
Soooooo delicious and easy!!! I didn’t have zucchini so replaced with diced mushrooms and thinly chopped kale, just to use up some veggies. Definitely a simple comforting meal for those cozy nights.
Oh also had to adjust for more liquid and cooking time for my specific noodles so don’t be alarmed if the cooking time listed is too short!
Thanks for sharing!
Hey Kaeli,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
Very good! Tasted exactly like hamburger helper but obviously way better! Super easy too!!
Hey Kelly,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan