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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
Can I use almond milk?
Hey Judy,
Sure, almond milk will work here. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can I skip zucchini or sub something in its place?
Our family loved this recipe. Thank you!!
Hey Megan,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Hey Lyndsey,
You can skip the zucchini. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Looks delicious. How many cups of pasta do you use? One pound seems to be a lot.
Hey Sue,
You will want to follow the recipe as is and use 1 pound of pasta, that is a standard size box of pasta. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Do you think I could you chickpea pasta instead of regular past for this recipe?
Hey Melissa,
Yes, that should work just fine for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Is there anything that could be subbed for the cheese? (Trying to cut back on cheese and dairy-free cheese isn’t an option)
You could try nutritional yeast. I think it might add great flavour to the sauce
Hey Cici,
Sorry, I really would not recommend skipping the cheese here. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I can’t wait to make this, looks fantastic!! I bet it would be good with mushrooms. When would you add those in the process?
Ooh! You just made my day! I have mushrooms and all the ingredients at hand for this. This place sound delicious. Definitely trying it!
I hope you love the recipe Valerie!!
Hey there,
I would sauté those with the onions. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
I have never actually had hamburger helper but this intrigues me and it looks like it could be kid friendly. Does the ketchup add a lot of taste? That’s the adult in me going-eww ketchup in my pasta?!
Hey Tiffany,
It does yes, you could also use tomato paste. Let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Appreciate the nutritional info you provide and understand it’s not guaranteed or exact but would you consider including the protein, carbs and fat to the nutritional info, especially ones like this! Thanks and love all your recipes!
Hey Beth,
Sorry, at this time I am only providing the estimated calorie count. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hi Beth,
Try using a recipe nutrition calculator (like this one https://www.verywellfit.com/recipe-nutrition-analyzer-4157076) to plug in the ingredients you used and get all the nutrition info you’d find on a standard nutrition facts label.
Thanks so much for sharing Anna!
What gluten free pasta would you suggest and would it go soggy with cooking times ? Or should less liquid be used if using gluten free pasta
Hey Jane,
I never use gluten free pasta, but I love Delallo pasta so maybe give those a try. I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
I used Jovial gluten free elbows this evening and it came out great!
What do you recommend replacing the milk with to make it dairy free? I’d replace the cheddar cheese with dairy free cheddar cheese.
Whenever I’m swamping out milk in a recipe like this, I replace it with coconut milk. If a recipe calls for heavy cream or whole milk, you can use coconut milk. By the way, it won’t change the flavor of your food. Hope this helps!
Hey Maddy,
I would use a dairy free milk:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is super easy and super, super tasty! I definitely had to add more liquid and cook for longer than 5-8 minutes in order for the noodles to be completely cooked. I would probably add a bit more spices next time too. Maybe 2 tsp of each. But overall a very good recipe, will definitely be making again! Keep the super simple meals coming!! 🙂
Hey Danielle,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go:) xTieghan
So easy and delicious! My whole family loved it and my picky kiddo kept thanking me for making such yummy dinner.
Hey Amy,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go:) xTieghan
Kids helped make it and loved it. They even asked if they would taste the zucchini (they didn’t). I did keep end up adding addition beef broth, but that was because my zucchini was small and the noodles sucked it up like crazy. Keeper in my recipe book!
Hey Lynsey,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go:) xTieghan
This looks so good. I love pasta, even if it doesn’t love me. I’m going to give it a shot and see what happens.
I hope you love the recipe Joseph, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This is more healthy b/c it has a little zucchini in it?
It’s still pasta and sausage, no? Really looking for something tasty but truly healthier. Any help will bee greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Maybe try subbing the ground beef for ground Turkey
Hey Braden,
I am considering this “healthier” than what comes out of the box:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
We are trying recipe tonight! Looks great but where do you use the oil? Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes!
When browning the meat and onions.
Hey Bobbi,
You’ll add the oil in step 1 to brown the meat and onions. I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan