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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!
Could I sauté mushrooms with the beef and onion to add more veggies?
Hey Corrianne,
Totally, that’s a great idea! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I saw this video on Instagram and immediately wanted to make it! I know it’s annoying when people make edits to recipes but I had to in order to curb my appetite 🙂 I had to use whole wheat pasta, almond milk, and viola life plant based cheddar cheese. It turned out amazing! I did have to add more broth to cook the pasta but it was understandable as it was whole wheat. So I’m case anyone is dairy sensitive, this meal is the bomb! I loved how it turned out and will definitely be making it again! Thank you so much!
Hey Anita,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a bunch for trying it out:) Thanks for sharing what worked well for you!!
This was a winner! I did add a bit more seasoning to taste, as well as additional beef broth and milk in order to get the noodles where we wanted them. I mixed mild cheddar and TJ’s Unexpected Cheddar and it was sooooo good. My 14 year old probably went back 3 times for another helping.
Hi Mandy,
Happy Wednesday! I really appreciate you taking the time to make this recipe, I love to hear that it was a hit! xxT
Can you use chicken broth instead of beef broth for this?
Hi Alex,
Sure, that would work well for you! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx
Huge hit. Love an easy meal! I like to double the spices and use tomato paste instead of ketchup. (With a pinch of sugar). I’ve made this several times and will make it several more times!! Tastes exactly how you’d want it to! Comfort food at its finest. I’ve also made this with several different types of veggies in place of zucchini. You just can’t mess it up. 10/10!
Hi Bri,
Thanks a bunch for your feedback and making this recipe:) So glad it is always enjoyed! xTieghan
SO good! I used tomato paste instead of ketchup since that’s what I had on hand. And I did need to add about half cup of water towards the end to get my noodles cooked. Will definitely be making again!
Hey Savanna,
Perfect! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you, I am so glad to hear the recipe was enjoyed! Thanks for making it! xTieghan
This was soooo very good!! Highly recommend it!!
Thanks so much Colleen! I am so glad this recipe was a winner, thanks for making it! xTieghan
So delicious! I am an unapologetic lover of Hamburger Helper (no hate, foodies), and this is just amazing. Love it!
Hey Christine,
Amazing! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it! Have a great Monday! xTieghan
Hamburger helper is not my style, but I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate ground venison into meals. I made it in the original style. Since I’m a huge fan of mixing in veggies, I might try the next batch with a legume pasta and more veggies hidden in there. Any suggestions on how to make this a freezer meal without drying up in the process?
Hey Amanda,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was enjoyed! I would follow the recipe as is and then freeze in a baking dish. Cover with cheese and foil and then bake:) ☀️
Made exactly as directed and the whole family loved!
Hey Adara,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xxT
I made this vegetarian by using a plant based sausage and vegetable broth. Added some green bell pepper to the initial sauté and some chopped spinach at the very end (slipped in 2 extra vegetables that way, my sons never knew the zucchini was there!)
My only other change was to use half the pasta as comments indicated it absorbed alot if the liquid. This gave me the consistency we preferred and then the seasonings were perfect bc I never had to add more water. We ate in bowls w crusty bread in the side. Thanks so much will make again! Leftovers reheated in microwave we’re just as good!
Hey Krisha,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! I love to hear that it was enjoyed! ☀️
Made this tonight and while it started out a little bland for my tastes, it was easily fixed by simply adding more seasoning and ketchup! Still a ein for me and my family. Will make again. Love all your recipes Tieghan!
Hey Miranda,
Happy Friday! Thanks a ton for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was a hit! ?Tieghan
You boil the noodles in the milk and beef broth? Or water before?
Hi Rebekah,
The noodles are getting boiled in the milk and broth. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!! xx
This was such a hit with my family last night. I used ground Turkey and chicken broth instead of beef because that is what we had on hand. Also added fresh corn cut off the cob and cooked in the sauce. Delicious!
Hey Stacy,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner and really appreciate you making it:) xTieghan
This was SO GOOD. My toddler is going through a painful picky eating phase and she kept asking for more!!
Will definitely make again and tell all my friends to try it too!
Hey Jacy,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner and really appreciate you making it:) xTieghan
Don’t drain the fat correct?
Hey Jeannie,
If you have a lot of extra fat you can go ahead and drain that, otherwise I just leave it. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan