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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
Total hit with my gang of 5 boys and the fact that it was one pot made it even better!!!
Hey Ashley,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
Love this recipe! Mad it with GF brown rice pasta and shredded vegan cheese. Came out amazing! Love that it all cooks up in one pot!
Hey Deb,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
Made this last night for dinner. Added fresh garlic and it was so good! Love one pot meals! Quick and easy peasy.
I’m making this tonight. How much garlic did you use?
Cheers,
Adam
Hey Adam,
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hey Trisha,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
I’m pregnant and hamburger helper has been my top craving, can’t wait to make this. Any suggestions for beef broth, hard to find it as I only eat halal, can I use vegetable or chicken? Thank you ❤️
Hey there,
Yes, vegetable or chicken broth would also work well here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Loved an easy dinner that will be good year round 🙂 My husband said he could eat it every day!
Hey Haylee,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
So tasty and super easy! I was informed I can add this to my regular rotation 🙂
Hey Kate,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
Just made this tonight and it gave me all the feels from my childhood! So good, thank you for this fun recipe!
Hey Sam,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Made this tonight, it’s delicious! Love the healthier twist, but it still tastes so good. We also used Impossible ground in place of the regular beef.
Hey Rebecca,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Wonderful recipe Tieghan! To keep it both dairy and gluten free I used almond milk, Jovial GF brand pasta shells, and then added a packet Daiya DF mac and cheese sauce. I did find that I needed to increase the amount of beef broth as the GF pasta was cooking to keep it nice and creamy! My one year old absolutely devoured it, thanks so much for sharing!
Hey Ashley,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Is there a way to save this recipe to Pinterest? That’s where I keep most of the recipes I have online so that would be super helpful!
Hey Natalie,
Yes, just click on any photo and the Pinterest “save” button will appear. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This sounds like comfort food. I made my own version of hamburger helper over the years too, to get away from the box, but I love the idea of shredded zucchini. Gonna give this recipe a try!
I hope you love the recipe Molly!
Whole family loved it! Will definitely make it again!
Hey Amanda,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
I’m really excited to try this. We didn’t have much money as kids and my mom would get this real cheap. It has nostalgia in it. We’ve since tried eating better but I find myself craving the comforts of home. Ha I’ve yet to make a version that tastes similar.
I hope you love the recipe!!
This is a 10 out of 10!! My boyfriend and I were just talking the other day about how we loved hamburger helper growing up and then you posted this! Made it tonight and we both loved.
Hey Cora,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Do you have a substitute suggestion for ketchup? Thanks!
Hey Cindy,
You could use tomato paste in place of the ketchup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Perfect recipe for hiding veggies! Made this for my picky eater this evening and he ate his entire bowl! I did adjust the liquids as I was short on milk, but it still tasted great! Will definitely be making again!
Hey Bethany,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan
Wow! I used ground turkey and oat milk . Creamy goodness!!
Hey Tracy,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend:) xTieghan