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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.
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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 is such a hit at my house. We are enjoying it on Christmas Eve, Eve. It’s cold outside and this is a comforting dish that is reminiscent of childhood in a healthier version. Thanks Tieghan.
Hey there,
I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
I doubled the seasonings and this still kind of tasted like bland nothingness. It was ~fine~ but there are definitely other better recipes on this site.
Hi Carrie,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear you didn’t love it! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xT
Great flavor, and is easy comfort food for a weeknight meal and quick to the table. Importance of stirring in the recipe helped to avoid burning.
Hey Chris,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
Love this recipe. Such an easy, week night, delicious dish. Everyone in my family loves it!
Hey Lisa,
Happy Friday!!❄️🧑🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
Omg SO good and easy! I subbed the broth for leftover bone broth I made from the Thanksgiving turkey and added more cheese (and a variety of cheeses) to help clean out the kitchen fridge – I just added more broth/milk as needed to accommodate for that. I tried it before the addition of more cheese though and it was truly delicious as written too!
Hey McKenna,
Happy Friday! ☃️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! xT
Love your recipes! Do you think egg noodles would work okay in this? Thanks so much!
Thanks so much Ashley!! Sure, I don’t see why not! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! xx
Hi! Do you think this could be done in the crockpot??
Hey Ash,
So sorry, I’ve never tested this recipe in the slow cooker so I don’t have the instructions for that. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
Any suggestions if we can’t find zucchini?
Hey Melanie,
You can use shredded carrots or just skip the zucchini:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
This is a family favorite now! I use ground Turkey and chicken stock. 10/10 every time I make it.
Hey Nancy,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Happy Tuesday! 🎄
Hi! Might be a silly question- when you add the pasta.. is it raw or does it need to be cooked first?
Hi Kat,
The pasta will cook in the dish. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
100% spot on!!! Another successful and delicious creation from HBH. XOXO 💗
Hey Stephani,
Happy Wednesday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xxT
This was so good! I loved that I had most everything on hand. I had some red pepper chili flakes for a little spiciness and mu husband devoured it 🙂
Hey Meghan,
Amazing!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xx
Woah! This was absolutely delicious and so easy! I had a 12 hour shift today and was able to whip this up quickly. I am so pumped that I doubled the recipe and now have lots of leftovers to enjoy!
Hey Victoria,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽
So delicious!! An easy and quick meal!
Thanks so much Aleah, so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed! xT
Everyone ate it and LIKED it!! That never happens in our house! Win
Hey Jeanne,
Happy Monday!!☃️ I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad it was enjoyed! xT
Very good— I decided to leave the zucchini out but followed the recipe exactly written— my household of 3 teenager boys cleaned their plates and asked for seconds! In my world, that a hit!
Hey Ashley,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽
This was so yummy and easy! I halved the amount of pasta and used 8oz Banza pasta for extra protein. I used 1 cup of milk and 1.5 cups of beef broth and it worked perfect. Will definitely continue to make this!
Hi Heather,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and sharing your review:) Happy Thanksgiving! 🍽