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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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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!

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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

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!
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Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I did not have “classic hamburger helper” growing up but for some reason this called to me when I opened the email. That and the fact that I had just bought a package of the exact pasta you used! Each little pasta was filled with ingredients…..this was so wonderful and is on my “make again” list! Thank you for all your work to make mine easier!

    1. Hey Vanessa,
      Totally fine to skip the zucchini:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xx

  2. It’s one of our favs! The flavors are scrumptious. How do your recommend reheating? I wanna reheat with a bit of beef broth or milk. Suggestions?

  3. So so good. I didn’t have any beef ready to go, so I substituted chicken/chicken broth and it turned out so good. You had me at one pot!

    1. Hi Jodi,
      Happy Monday!! I truly appreciate you trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad it was enjoyed! xx

  4. 5 stars
    Really good. I used ground dark turkey and —365 egg noodles-as an fyi for anyone else you might need to add a little more milk or stock. I don’t know if it was the egg noodles or cast iron pan that caused that to happen. Thank you for this perfect fall day recipe.

    1. Hey Soteria,
      Awesome!! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! Hope you’re off to a great weekend! xT

  5. 5 stars
    This recipe is our family favorite. It never disappoints and it’s requested frequently. It’s so simple. I have even made with impossible meat to make it vegetarian!

    1. Hey Gianna,
      Fantastic! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) xx

  6. I have an extremely picky eater. The kid hates veggies. He’s like a great white shark smelling blood in the ocean- the kid can “smell/sense” a shred of veg in anything yet low and behold he LOVES this recipe!! Can’t detect the zucchini at all. Win! Regular rotation in our house. Thanks for your delicious recipes!

    1. Hey Amanda,
      Happy Wednesday! Lol love this! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan

  7. 5 stars
    I made this with elbow noodles and using almond milk and it was DELICIOUS! Definitely adding this one into the dinner rotation. Thanks for the recipe!

  8. 5 stars
    Made this today! Absolutely YUMMO! Thank you so much for sharing! I Halved the recipe as it is just my 9 yr old grandson and myself eating! Came out awesome!

    1. Hi Susan,
      Awesome!! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan

  9. 5 stars
    This was great! Easy to come together and I love the add or zucchini. Ours was a little soupy hot off the stove and not very creamy. I’ll try again to make it as creamy but flavor was spot on!

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Monday!! Thanks a lot for making this dish and sharing your review, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xx

  10. 5 stars
    Amazing.
    I don’t have a zucchini spiral thing, so I just chopped them very small.
    Also, I didn’t use all of the bag of pasta – probably 3/4.
    It was absolutely perfect. Also, kid approved!
    Great job, Tieghan! <3

    1. Hi Brittany,
      Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe is always enjoyed, thanks so much for making it so often! Have a great weekend! xTieghan