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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.
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.
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
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 675 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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!
This recipe is great! Certainly consider doubling the spices as the other reviews suggest. I added about a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, too! I ate a lot of hamburger helper growing up… this brings back the same taste to me! Thanks!
Hey Dynnea,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled to hear it was enjoyed. Thanks for sharing your comment! xTieghan
We found this dish to be bland both times we made it, even dolling it up the second time. Normally love HBH dishes but this one not so much! Notice other commenters say they doubled the seasonings and worcestire so maybe more luck there
Hey Alex,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
We really enjoyed this! I did add more seasoning, doubled the ketchup, and added Worcestershire sauce but otherwise followed the recipe. It did take me a little longer to get the pasta cooked but they may have been the temp I had the stove on. We really loved it! Also used almond milk.
Hey Tracie,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for making it! xT
We loved it but I did make a number of changes after reading the comments. First I used ground Turkey and did a combo of chicken and beef broth. I increased the seasonings a lot. Used better than boil lion for broth so I could add extra of the concentrate to get a deeper flavor. Also added extra veggies like carrots, cabbage and peas. Included a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and worstechire sauce. And as the ends a couple tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt. And this was amazing will 100% make it again
Hey Samantha,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for making it! xT
Doubled the spices as others suggested and added Worcestershire sauce but still bland. I used shells but had to keep adding liquid and pasta took much longer to cook.
Hi Kristina,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xTieghan
I think this recipe is good as a base but it lacks a lot. We quadrupled the seasoning and it still needed additions like cayenne pepper and Worchestire sauce for some heat and more depth of flavor. In the end, it was still missing something. I think a dollop of sour cream on top or maybe a bit of red cooking wine would give it the acid it needs. Overall, our recipe turned out really good but I felt we had to do too many modifications, making this just a good base recipe.
Hey Amanda,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. xTieghan
Super easy to make and so yummy. My family gobbled it up. Thanks for another great recipe
Hi Amanda,
Fantastic! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great weekend:) xxT
Has anyone tried this with Banza noodles?
Hey Kristen,
I haven’t but I bet that would work well for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Quick, easy & delicious! My husband ate 3 bowls in one sitting, and I had an extra helping, afraid there would be none leftover! We added a little more ketchup and garlic powder, and will consider adding broccoli to the mix next time!
Hi Grace,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a go, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxTieghan
A really good dish! My noodles took a bit longer to cook than the recipe stated, but I added a little more broth and it turned out great. I haven’t had boxed hamburger helper in years, so I was excited to try a recipe that could replace it in a healthier way. It hit the spot and will definitely make again!
Hi Angela,
Wonderful! I really appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Just made this and not a bite left. The family loved it. Terrific weekday meal. So fast and simple and only 1 pot to clean. Thanks for a great recipe!
Hi Julie,
Awesome!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I needed to use up some ground beef, and I remember your brother raving about this dish. I figured I’d give it a try, thinking it wouldn’t be up to much. I mean, hamburger helper?! ? Well I’ll just eat my words, and help myself to another plate! Yum! I added some Worcestershire sauce, and extra chili powder- delicious! My college kids loved it too – and one doesn’t even like ground beef!
Hi Mori,
Wonderful! I really appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Is there anything you’d pair with it? I love all your recipes, and would love if they always included a “pair with” recommendation whether it’s salads, rice, potatoes, you name it!
Hi Caitlin,
You could totally do a salad with this! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
My husband rolled his eyes when I offered to make this for him, sure that it wasn’t going to come close to the memories he had of his favorite comfort food of the 80’s. He had to eat his words!!! This was a two bowl meal for him with an enthusiastic declaration that this had to go into the meal repertoire.
Hi Kristina,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
So good! I added a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce for more flavor depth and it was perfecto.
Hi Lisa,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Made the recipe this evening! Ours was perfect – no liquid issues. This recipe made a ton! Only 2 of us but great leftovers!
Hi Tina,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan