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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
Made this with impossible meat tonight! It was so delicious but definitely needed to be more liberally salted. I would have added more salt when sauteeing the meat and again after pouring in the liquid. So easy to make and the easiest clean up. Definitely double or triple the veggies in it as the one zucchini get swallowed up by all the pasta.
Hi Daryn,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
Made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! It’s everything Tieghan describes in the description and definitely takes me back to my childhood. Plus guilt free and easy ?
Hey Bianca,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
My husband and I both enjoyed this meal. It needed more salt, so I’ll have to adjust that next time. I used ground turkey; would try with 1/2 turkey and 1/2 beef next time. My only complaint is that it’s awfully boring to look at….but you did warn about that! 🙂
Hey there,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
This was easy and tasty! I halved the recipe, which was easy to do. I still had to up the spices quite a bit though, a teaspoon of each wasn’t enough so for a full recipe I would definitely add more and taste as you go. It also took a bit longer to cook than 5-8 minutes which was totally fine – just added more broth when needed. Loved the idea of adding zucchini!
Hey there,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, so sorry it wasn’t your fave. xTieghan
Would this work with gluten free noodles? Would you recommend adding more liquid?
Hi Allison,
I would follow the recipe as is using GF noodles. I hope you love the dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Is that a pound of dry pasta or cooked ? Thanks
Anyone
dry! it cooks in the juices/broth
I did use the uncooked pasta. It was okay. It might need carrots….
Hi Mike,
The recipe calls for 1 pound of dry pasta. I hope you love this dish, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I generally love your recipes, but this was not a favorite. Personally, I feel it lacked flavor and taste. I get it- it’s hamburger helper- it’s not going to be bursting with all this complex flavor. We ate it and no one complained, but it was just kind of eh.
Hey Susan,
So sorry this recipe was not enjoyed, please let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
Could I chop the zucchini instead of grating it? Trying tonight! ?
Hey Sonya,
Yes, that would work, I would just dice it pretty small. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Good comfort food for a chilly day. It could’ve used more flavor in my opinion, but my boyfriend and I ate it up! Will make again 🙂
Hey Sydney,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
I love that you added zucchini! I do that too! Definitely a great one pot meal!
Thanks so much Tina!! xTieghan
This was a great simple recipe which really brought me back to that childhood hamburger helper!! I did have to add almost twice the spices it called for and little more of each liquid, but it turned out great and was a really fast meal! I love that it has zucchini, I also added about 1.5 C of frozen cauliflower rice for more veggie and fiber. It made about 5 hearty adult servings for me.
Hi Maria,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
So yummy! Subbed the pasta for basmati rice (that’s what I had) added a 1/2 cup more water and it was delicious!
Hi Crissy,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
I had high hopes for this but unfortunately it was very bland and had no flavor. Can’t recommend and wouldn’t make again.
Hi Michelle,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, please let me know if there is anyway I can help for next time! xTieghan
Super yummy! Used ground turkey meat instead of beef and chicken broth instead of beef broth. Just delicious! I wish I had this recipe when my kids were younger!
Hey Christine,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
You are truly amazing! This is fantastic, and just got added to the “dinners we love!” list! Also, it is actually a 30 minute meal, tops. That almost never happens even when a recipe says that is the projected cooking time! Wahhoooo! Bravo! Thank you! Go make this! You probably have everything you need!
Hi Brianne,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan