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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.
Delicious!!!!! Obsessed with this meal – however I did 6x the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, ketchup and I also added onion powder. I find my pasta isn’t cooked before the liquid evaporated, so I added a bit more broth and cream. Super perfect. Just tweaked everything to my liking!
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have a great Monday! x
Hi, do I cook the pasta before adding it to the beef mixture? Or does it cook while in the beef mixture?
Thank you
Nevermind. Another comment answers this!
Hey Katie,
You can follow the recipe as written, the pasta will cook in the dish:) I hope this helps, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Do you drain out the fat first after browning ground beef & onion?
Hi Em,
If you have a lot of fat you can go ahead and drain it:) Please let me know if you give this recipe a try! xT
I tried using Banza pasta and it didn’t work so well – maybe if I try it the normal way!
Hi there,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear the banza noodles didn’t work for you! Let me know if you try again using another pasta! xT
Was so bummed. Followed the recipe exactly, but it was not creamy or cheesy looking. The flavor was not the best either.
Hi Annette,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback. So sorry to hear it was not enjoyed. I’m not sure what could have gone wrong for you if you followed the recipe as is! x
I am at a higher elevation, not quite as high as Silverton, but I’m wondering if that had something to do with the following? The pasta was *very* firm after 8 minutes, and it had used up a good amount of the cooking liquid. I had to add extra broth and extend the cooking time to get it to al dente. I am glad I did, the finished pasta had a good firmness of pasta.
I used a Kirkland Signature enameled cast iron oval dutch oven, that I don’t use very often (maybe next time I’lluse my familiar stainless steel stock pot), maybe my heat was too high?
The only other addition that I made was a couple splashes of Worchestershire Sauce.
Whenever my Mom would cook with beef, she’d add that, it gives a little extra depth of flavor.
My family and I loved it and I will be be adding it into permanent rotation.
Thank you for creating this recipe 😊
I also had the same issue with the pasta not being cooked through and followed what you did! Looks great other than that. Thanks!
I also didn’t have enough liquid
My family and I loved it. Easy and not from a box and better!
Hey Rebecca,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear that it turned out well for you! Xx
Can you freeze the leftovers??
Hey Annie,
You bet, that will work nicely for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This was soooo good! Quick and easy.
Thanks so much, Lisa! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it! x
Delicious and so easy! I will definitely be adding this to the rotation.
Hi Elizabeth,
Fantastic! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best week! x
Made this tonite – it came together so fast and turned out really yummy! I used whole milk, ground turkey and protein pasta. Will be making again and adding to rotation for sure!
Hey Jodie,
Fantastic! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best week! x
Question…is this like a beef stroganoff? Think if I substituted some sour cream for the milk it might have the right consistency. Thoughts???
Hey Carol,
I think this is more like a Mac and cheese:) But sour cream should be okay! I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
What can you replace chili powder with? Stuck without it overseas!
Hi Sara,
No worries, just skip it:) I hope you love this recipe! xT
What could I substitute the zucchini with?
Hey Nicole,
You could just omit the zucchini or do shredded carrots. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
This is so delicious, thank you Tieghan! I added in jalapeños and yellow peppers in lieu of zucchini, chefs kiss!
Hi Kate,
Happy Sunday! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your comment! xT
Just wondering you out the pasta on uncooked or cooked?
Hi Debbie,
You are going to add the pasta uncooked. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
We have had this recipe in our rotation for over a year now – I’ve even tried the variations people have suggested in the comments, and Tieghan’s recipe as written is perfect!
It so quick & easy with minimal clean-up, makes it perfect for busy game nights and filling for 2 active boys.
Highly recommend!
Hey Jen,
Yay!! So glad to hear this recipe is always a hit, thanks so much for making it so often! Have a great day! xT
This sounds so good! Just curious, what (if anything) would you suggest to replace ketchup with if you don’t have ketchup on hand?
Hey Maddie,
You could try some tomato paste. Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT