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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
About the zucchini, does it affect the texture too much? Or does it kind of melt into the sauce? Just wondering if my kids would detect it. Thanks!
I had the same question before making it tonight! I’ve got a really picky 4-year-old so I can relate. I would say to peel the zucchini before grating, that way you are hiding the green skin. Texture-wise I don’t think the zucchini comes through much!
Hi Jess,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! Happy New Year!? xTieghan
Hi Dawn,
It really does not affect the texture:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
So good! Quick and easy
Hi Marie,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! Happy New Year!? xTieghan
Hi! I’m obsessed with your recipes. My husband is MAJORLY intolerant to tomatoes within the last couple years. He grew up on hamburger helper so I was excited to see this recipe. It has ketchup! Can I omit it and have it still be tasty? Or can I replace it with something? What are your thoughts?
Hi Colleen,
Yes, you can omit it. I actually forgot to add it in and already served it to my kids. They had already started eating it without it. Instead I just added a tiny dollop just for show and they loved it.
Definitely omit-able since it’s such a small amount any way.
Hi Colleen,
You can just omit the ketchup:) Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi 🙂
Do you think I could puree the zucchini to hide from a picky husband :p
Hi Meg,
You wouldn’t even know it was in there. I used both the bigger grate and finer grate on my cheese grater and if you have the option for a fine grate you’d never know. Even if you don’t it’s not noticeable. Just tell him it’s herbs.
Just finished making it tonight and loved it!!!
Hi Meg,
Sure, that will work:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
My husband and I LOVE this recipe!! A true one-pot dinner that’s super good, quick and easy! We’ve made it multiple times and it’s definitely one of our go-to meals. Thanks for the recipe!!
Hey Alexa,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi! I am going to make
This tonight. I don’t have zucchini. Can I add broccoli instead to get a veggie in there. Thanks so much!
Hey Nicole,
Totally, broccoli or even carrots would work well for you. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Awesome!
I just made this for dinner after reading your article. Love it!
Hi Fred,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
I made this recipe a couple of months ago and it was so good! I will make it again soon!
Hi Stacy,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
Loved this recipe! I needed to use more milk so the noodles would be covered , and used plant-based meat. This turned out wonderfully!
Hi Cierra,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
I finally made this yesterday! It was so good and better than my childhood hamburger helper my mom would make when she didn’t want to cook . I made a few changes. I added more seasonings, more liquid , few tablespoons of tomato paste and a bay leaf. Thanks!
Hi Raquel,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
This dish is delicious, easy, and kid approved! I used elbow pasta because it’s what I had on hand but otherwise, followed the recipe and it turned out great! I love that it incorporates the zucchini. So yummy!
Hi Jennifer,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
This is wonderful! I didn’t have zucchini to add, but I love grating it into dishes to hide it from my little one. I love pasta in all shapes and sizes and my husband not so much,but even he went for a second helping. Love all the way from South Africa
Hi Denielle,
Fantastic! Love hearing that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try. xTieghan
AMAZING!! My husbands new favorite dinner 🙂
Hi Elizabeth,
Awesome!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Holidays!? xT
Tasty and simple. I added a can of corn since I didn’t have zucchini on hand. (And there is an unspoken rule that moms have to add some sort of vegetable to hamburger helper, just to keep the kids on their toes). I also added a couple of dashes of taco seasoning and some hot sauce to the adult servings.
Hi Madeline,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xT
Super good and really easy and fast!
Hi Ashley,
Thank you so very much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays!??