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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!
I LOVE this recipe!! My 17 year old son really enjoyed it, too, so that was a big win. He is starting to enjoy food instead of inspecting it. Mine was definitely not as creamy as it was in the photo. I think maybe I had the heat too high and I did cover it so not sure where I went wrong. I just added some more broth and half and half at the end but I’m hoping next time it will be as creamy as the photos here.
This was so easy and I can’t wait to try more.
Hey Lindsay,
Awesome!! Thanks for giving the recipe a try, I love to hear that it was a hit!! xxT
I am looking forward to making this recipe! We have some non-cheese eaters in the house. Can this be made without the cheese?
Hey Nicole,
So sorry I wouldn’t recommend that for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Omg. This was so easy and is so delicious. Just such a fun, hearty meal. And one pot makes it week-night and dish-washing friendly! Thank your brother because this is yet another HBH hit!
Hey Kara,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
Super easy meal and perfect for whatever ingredients you have on hand. I only had shredded Mexican blend cheese and it still worked. I also used whole grain pasta but had to add another cup of broth to get it tender. One question is how saucy was it for everyone? Mine did not have the sauce pictured. Maybe next time use half velveeta?
Hey Gloria,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! It shouldn’t be super saucy:) xxT
I make this pretty often and add extra broth+milk with an extra dash of seasoning to make it saucier. I also use egg noodles which don’t absorb as much liquid. Comes out perfect!
Hey Megan,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!! ?xTieghan
This was so easy to put together and really good! I am not a hamburger helper person but my husband wanted it so I had to at least make a homemade better version! I enjoyed it and he said it was really close so I’ll take it as a win! Also my one year old was a big fan. 🙂
Hey Jaclyn,
Happy Friday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xxT
This turned out a little bland for me. I would definitely make it again, but will probably use regular beef broth (not as healthy as low sodium, I know!), sauté some garlic along with the beef & onion, and increase the amount of seasonings. Loved the “hidden”zucchini!!
Hey Carla,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear you found it to be bland, let me know if you try it again!! xTieghan
Probably one of my favorite recipes for HBH! SO good! I added in peppers to have a few more veggies and it was amazing!!
Hey Makayla,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
This one is on repeat in our house. I’ve subbed the ground beef for beyond meat and ground chicken before and the chicken tastes the best. And chicken broth as well.
Hey Larina,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
Can sharp cheddar be used for this recipe? And is it spicy with the amount of chile
powder this calls for?
Hey Jess,
Yes, sharp cheddar will be great here. This is not a spicy dish:) Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
Delicious throwback to hamburger helper my mom would make. A huge hit with the famlishily. I did have to double the broth and seasonings (it was very stiff and a bit bland without)
Hi Alicia,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
So good!!!! Used sharp cheddar. Little extra seasoning. ?
Hey Rachel,
Fantastic!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it:) Have the best day! xxT
This is AMAZING!! My husband has never had Hamburger Helper so he had no expectations – he LIVED it. The only prob I had was not enough liquid and not enough pasta time. I think I’ll increase the milk to 2 cups next time.
Hey Rebecca,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
Loved this dish so much and felt like a warm hug. My only tip to other folks is to be careful with milk choice – I used almond milk and the whole dish was a bit sweeter than I wanted it to be. I am going to try with regular milk next time!
Hey Margaret,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan
Have you ever used something else for the zucchini? Looking for a substitute. Thanks.
Hey Pam,
You could use shredded carrots, that would work well for you! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xTieghan
This is a definite keeper! Family came back for seconds which is a rarity in this house. Wasn’t sure the small shells I used were going to end up al dente, but I trusted the instructions and they were spectacular.
Hey Nora,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Very yummy! I did adjust the spice to our liking, but that comes with personal preference. This recipes is a great jumping off point and is now my husband’s favorite dinner!
Hey Brittany,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT