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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!
Thought this was really easy and fun though it definitely made a lot more than four servings! And I also feel like it needed more spices. If I were to make it again, I think I would double the spices.
Thanks so much for trying the recipe Lauren, sorry it wasn’t your favorite. xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I made this tonight for dinner—I consider myself a great cook and followed the directions to a T, but mine definitely didn’t have near as much sauce as your photo, so it was a little dry. I’m not sure what went wrong. Any idea?
Hey Stephanie,
So sorry to hear this! What size noodles did you use? I would say if you used a larger noodle that could be the issue. Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Another winner! Just made this for dinner and my husband said it was excellent.
We will be having this again!
Hey Jeena,
Happy Monday! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
Do you think this would be easy to freeze ?
Hey Nicole,
Sure, I think that would be just fine for you to do. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This was delicious! I tried it with a mix of lamb and beef (it was all I could find at the time), and a lot of extra spice. Next time, I’m definitely going to just use beef (the lamb was a little too strong). Definitely looking forward to making this recipe again!
Hey Audrey,
Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
My friend made this for me when I broke my leg and lost my father in law within the same week… A thoughtful, very thoughtful friend.
It looked delish cold, but heated up, it was amazing. I didn’t realize it wasn’t real pasta until she told me. I saw green in it which I love any part of! It really contributes to the flavor. Talk about a healthy and delicious dish. (Healthy version of a somewhat unhealthy meal).
Hey Kate,
Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
This was so good. It got a thumb up from everyone in the house! We will be visiting this recipe again and again!
Hey Melainie,
Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
Delicious! My entire family loved this, toddler included. Such a comforting, warm meal that I plan to make lots this winter.
Hey Emily,
Happy Sunday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan
This worked out wonderfully as I had all of the ingredients in the house already! I did half cheddar and half unexpected cheddar from Trader Joe’s to really shake it up! Thanks for a fun recipe!
Hey Meredith,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xTieghan
I can’t fully express how delicious this was. Our kids ate it like crazy. I loved it for the flavor and the one-pot aspect of it for an easy supper. But also loved the fact that our kids loved it AND there were veggies in it, too. This will become a regular in our weekly menu.
Hey Meghan,
Awesome! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Have the best weekend! xTieghan
This so so delicious and simple. All the nostalgia of HH and honestly so much better. I did add extra spice to enhance the flavor.
Hey Marlo,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Agree with others that this recipe needed more flavor. I doubled the spices and added cayenne, substituted zucchini for spinach and added probably an extra cup of beef broth. Only used about half cup of cheese. Turned out well with all the tweaks.
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Stacey! xTieghan
I felt like the recipe needed a little something else so I added some cumin to give it some taco flavor. I think the beef could use some more seasoning, but it was a very easy recipe with quick clean up
I plan to add a dash of Worcester
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Alex! xTieghan
Yum ! Great consistency love your page .
Hey Britney,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Could you put Kale in it as well as a way to put more veggies in? Would it keep well? Looking forward to trying this!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! So fast and easy, and I love the secret zucchini.
Hey Cheri,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hey Sarah,
I’ve never added kale, but go for it! I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan