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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.
What is a good substitute the hamburger?
You can use ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer.
Can you make this gluten-free?
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
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.
Watch the How-To Reel
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!
This post was originally published on September 9, 2021
My first thought was to make it even healthier and throw in some cauliflower rice too! Can’t wait to make this!
I hope you love the recipe Rosemary!!
OMG I loved hamburger helper as a kid and I have been wanting to try a healthier and “adult” version for some time now. Thank you for this recipe! So excited to give it a try and love the added touch of shredded zucchini!
I hope you love the recipe Lacy, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Planning to make this this evening. Is there a substitute for zucchini? I am out and am hoping to not run to the store.
Spinach would be good as well.
Hey Noelle,
You could just skip the zucchini. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Try replacing the ketchup with 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, added to the pan when the meat and onions are almost done. Sauteeing the tomatoes paste, meat and onions for about a minute gives this dish even more depth of flavor. The tomatoes paste develops a nice roasted flavor that amps up the dish.
Thanks for sharing Deb!
How many carbs are there per serving and what is the serving size?
Hey Barbara,
Sorry, I do not know the carbs for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
When I was a teen I worked at an Outback Steakhouse and we took the “no rules” part to heart. My favorite coworker was this gal named Mia and she would often order kids Mac with ground beef. Our city was a little rough around the edges and somehow it got dubbed “Ghetto kids Mac” and I’ve been making it at home ever since. We’re talking 20 years. I love the idea of this upgraded version with added veggies. I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks so much for sharing Katy, I hope you love this recipe! Please let me know if you give it a try:) xTieghan
Ooo this sounds so good. This sort of recipe appeals to me a lot more than the whacky ones :D:D Perfect comfort food…will be making this at the weekend!
I hope you love the recipe Leah!!
Making this tonight for my family! Question – could you sub 2% milk for whole milk (it’s what I have in my fridge already) or will it ruin the sauce? Looks delicious can’t wait for dinner!!
I suggest when you shop for the ingredients just buy a small 16 oz. pint of whole milk.2% will not ruin your sauce it will not taste quite as rich and be a little thinner.
Hey Kristina,
2% milk should be just fine for you to use. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I would love to try this. It sounds like a crowd pleaser! I’m curious whether you’ve cooked the pasta before dumping it in the meat mixture with the zucchini, milk etc.?
I make one pot pasta recipes all the time, and you don’t cook the pasta before dumping it in! Its so much easier and pretty fun to cook is this way :)!
Hey Danah,
I haven’t I wanted to make this any easy one pot meal, so just cook the pasta in the same pot. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Doesn’t the ground beef produce a lot of grease when cooking it? Should I drain the beef after browning it?
Hey Alisha,
It really depends on the fat content of beef that you get. If you feel as though you need to drain the beef then you totally should:) I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan
What specific pasta did you use for this recipe? I like the look of the one in your pictures and would like to try and purchase that particular brand.
Looks like Delallo Shellbow pasta, half shell/half elbow
Hey Jade,
Here is the link for the pasta that I used:
https://www.delallo.com/shop/delallo-shellbows
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would it change it much to omit the zuchinni? Its the only thing I dont have on hand…
Hey Jess,
It should be just fine to skip the zucchini. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Yes, what’s not to like about basically “beef mac ‘n cheese.” It may not be your usual
colorful flair but this fills a need in every busy mom’s kitchen. I have been married 55 years and yes…I did make the boxed version for my family. Trying this tonight, now just the two of us.
I hope you love the recipe Patricia! Let me know how it turns out:) xTieghan
Sounds like this could be a winner with the whole family. Would it be ok to sub ground pork or chicken instead of beef?
Hey Helen,
Sure, either of those would work well for you. I hope the recipe turns out amazing, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi! Would you do anything different to sub cauliflower pasta into this dish?
Hey Kari,
I have not tried this recipe with cauliflower pasta, so I am unsure what the results would be. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan