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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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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!

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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.

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com

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!

@halfbakedharvest

Love this nostalgic dinner! #hamburgerhelper #halfbakedharvest #foodtok #nostalgicrecipes #fallrecipes

♬ Sara Smile – Daryl Hall & John Oates

Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.

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Watch the How-To Reel

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

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!
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Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper | halfbakeharvest.com
This post was originally published on September 9, 2021
4.56 from 2546 votes (1,874 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. Hey Sara,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is so dang good. I’ve made it multiple times because it’s easy, quick clean up, and makes a ton for meal prep! Definitely one of my all time faves from you.

    Reply

    1. Hey Emily,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

  3. 3 stars
    My parents thought it was good, I myself am not a big fan. For me personally I thought it was lacking some flavour so I added more of the spices listed and made sure I had a good amount of salt & pepper. It was worth a try though

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Just made this for dinner tonight! It was so delicious and so easy! My daughters loved it. I didn’t have zucchini, so I did add a little extra beef broth to make up for the loss of the liquid from the zucchini, I’ll make again and try it out with the zucchini. We just loved it and I’m not a hamburger helper fan. This was great!

    Reply

    1. Hey Meghan,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Amy,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

  6. I just made this after rave reviews from a co-worker! It was gobbled up by my non-stop eating 14 year old who asked what the green stuff was! I had left over whole milk from holiday baking and some Gruyère cheese left from entertaining. I used both and I feel that it made the dish extra special! Thank you!!!

    Reply

    1. Hey Nicole,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Nicole,
      I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for testing it out! Have a great week! xTieghan

      Reply

  9. My family really enjoyed the flavour of this meal, but I found that the liquid did not thicken up. I think I will reduce the broth next time.

    Reply

  10. This was delicious!!! Brought me back to childhood but in a much better way!! Great winter meal! I did have the add extra broth/milk and cook longer to get pasta all the way done.

    Reply

  11. I made this with ground chicken and chicken broth, which is a much milder flavor than beef. So to “beef” it up, I added Worcestershire sauce to taste. It turned out great! The addition ingredient helped punch up the flavor that the chicken lacked.

    Reply

    1. Hi Korina,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan

      Reply

  14. 5 stars
    Soooooo delicious and easy!!! I didn’t have zucchini so replaced with diced mushrooms and thinly chopped kale, just to use up some veggies. Definitely a simple comforting meal for those cozy nights.

    Reply

    1. Oh also had to adjust for more liquid and cooking time for my specific noodles so don’t be alarmed if the cooking time listed is too short!

      Reply

    2. Hey Kaeli,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan

      Reply

    1. Hey Kelly,
      Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan

      Reply