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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.
SO YUMMY! Easy way to sneak in veggies and it’s a one pot meal?! Say no more. Delicious! Will be adding into our rotation.
Hey Rachel,
Fantastic!! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! Have the best week!🎄☃️ xT
I made this tonight and my husband and we both loved it! I used frozen peas and carrots instead of zucchini since I’m not a fan of that veggie. Had to add more liquid but other than that this was a winner. Delicious!!!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for trying this dish and your comment, love to hear it turned out nicely! xT
DELICIOUS! Can leftovers be frozen?
Hi Molly,
So glad you enjoyed this recipe!! Yes, you can totally freeze the leftovers! xx
Fabulous recipe! I used a low carb pasta and omitted the ketchup. This was wonderful. Thank you. This will be in our regular rotation.
Yay!! So glad to hear this, Liana! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment! xx
Incredible!! I’m so happy rn that I found this recipe and that you’ve provided it. I have 3 boys and a husband who polished this off and they all loved it. Thankyou!
Hey Vanessa,
Happy Weekend!🍁 I’m so glad this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xXT
This was a hit! The flavors are all on point, close to the boxed stuff, but obviously much better! While making it, I thought there possibly wouldn’t be enough liquid to cook the pasta. Follow the recipe exactly, it came out perfect
Hey Lindsey,
Happy Weekend!🍁 I’m so glad this recipe turned out nicely for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xXT
I love this recipe and I’ve made it so many times. I double the zucchini and it’s great!! True one pot meal. I send this recipe to all my friends too!! Thank you!!
Hey Lacie,
Thank you so much for making this recipe so often, so glad it is always enjoyed! Happy Halloween!🎃 xx
I have made this so many times now. I grew up in hamburger helper, and this is SOOO much better! I use ground turkey and protein pasta!!! My 13 year old daughter LOVES it
Love to hear this, Jessica!! Thanks so much for making this dish so often and your feedback! Have a great Thursday! xT
I scaled the recipe down because I only had 1/3 lb of ground beef, but it was just enough for lunch for me and my 13 month old. I didn’t have any zucchini but luckily he loves veggies so I didn’t have to hide his side of peas. We both inhaled it! Toddler and mama approved!
Hey Kaley,
Perfect! I appreciate you trying this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx
I love this recipe. I added nutritional yeast flakes at the end with the cheese to add some twang and the nutrients from the nutritional yeast. Getting our daughter into some classic comfort dishes! I am so glad I found you! Five stars all the way!
Hey Craig,
Amazing!! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe, I’m so glad to hear it turned out well for you! Have a great Monday! XxT
I needed a quick dinner, but wanted more veg as we are getting over the Halloween candy coma. I added grated carrot with the zucchini, then frozen peas and chopped tomato at the end. Delish! This will go onto the regular rotation!
Love to hear this, Casey! Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! xT
Mine feels a little too liquidy at the end – how do I fix this??
Hey Christina,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe! I would just turn the heat up to let the water simmer out. I hope this helps! xT
Can you freeze this?? It’s our favorite recipe and I want to meal prep for post partum!
Hey Hannah,
Totally, that should work well for you and then I would just bake from frozen! Congrats! xT
I absolutely loved this recipe, super cost effective and easy to make, plus it is delicious! Great job Tieghan, half baked harvest is the best thing ever!
Thanks so much, Tillie! So glad to hear you enjoyed this dish, I appreciate you making it! xT
This was very tasty. Easy to prepare. Thank you!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Tuesday! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, so glad to hear it turned out well! xT
Easy recipe to follow. We doubled the zucchini and I was generous on the seasoning. I think the extra zucchini added additional liquid which helped cook the pasta.
I still felt it was missing something. I found a seasoning mix and added it. It was just the right amount of flavor.
Hey Natalie,
Awesome! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, love to hear that it was enjoyed! x
This is a true family favorite. The kids ask for it often. We probably make this 2x a month at least. I do add a little Worcestershire sauce and find I usually need more broth but I buy the big box so it’s never an issue!!
Love to hear this, Mariah!! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often:) Have a great day! xT