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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
Incredible! Just like how I remember as a kid.
Key notes:
Simple and fast! Took exactly 30 minutes 🙂
Thank you for making this recipe! Xxx
Hey Alex,
Love to hear this! Thank you for making this recipe and your comment! Have a wonderful week!!
Quick and easy to make, and tastes so good!
Hey Nicole,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
This was soooo good! My 15 month old cleared two plates on his own! Thank you for all the delicious recipes!
Hey Sommer,
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, love to hear it turned out nicely for you! xx
My toddler absolutely devoured this meal, and it honestly tastes so close to a hamburger helper brought back memories from my childhood.
Hi Shaunacy,
I appreciate you giving this recipe a try and your comment, love to hear it turned out well for you! XxT
Easy and delicious.
Hey Jessica,
Fantastic! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Have the best week:) xxT
My husband made this last night and it wasn’t very saucy (I’m sure it’s his fault HAHA!). It is delicious though! I’d like to make some sauce to reheat it in. What do you recommend?
Hi Alicia,
Fantastic! Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! I would add a touch of milk and cheese. Have the best week:) xxT
This was really really good! I followed it exactly except for adding julienned spinach for more color and veggies, 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce and fresh garlic instead of powdered. It was a hit! Thanks! Next time I might shred in some carrots along with the zucchini 🙂
Hey Stephanie,
Amazing!! Love to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you making it! Have the best weekend:) xx
Grandkids loved it and took leftovers in a thermos for lunch the next day! As a kid I loved the hamburger helper with the dehydrated potatoes – I am going to try slicing very thinly sliced parboiled potatoes to add instead of the pasta. Fingers crossed!!
Hey there,
Fantastic! Thanks so much for trying this dish, love to hear it was a winner! xxT
This is one of my favorite things to keep in the freezer for quick meals for my hangry toddler. I freeze it in muffin trays, reheat in the microwave, and cool it off with a little cottage cheese before serving to him. Don’t skip the Worcestershire!
Love this, Carolyn! Such a great idea:) Thanks for making this recipe so often and your feedback! xT
I’m a 90’s kid so I had to give the recipe a try. The recipe was easy to follow and turned out following the directions. I love that the zucchini was hidden so easily.
I think if you liked Hamburger Helper as a kid you’ll probably really enjoy this. If you didn’t have strong feelings for it one way or another, you’re probably still in that camp. I was in the latter group. Did I love it? No. Would I make it again? Maybe.
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you didn’t love it! xT
Is there a way to prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, put in a ziploc bag, freeze, and then pull out and cook when you want?
Hi Shelby,
Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you! I hope you love this recipe! xT
Think I could swap beef for ground turkey & chicken stock?
Hi Sabrina,
Totally, that should work nicely for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
This is literally one of my favorites I’ve made, my son even likes it. Hamburger helper was a staple growing up but this is 10000 times better! Thank you!
Hey Megan,
Thanks so much! Love to hear this dish turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Happy Friday! XxT
Easy and delicious thank you!!
Hi Melinda,
Happy New Year!!🎆 Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! XxT
Love this! The kids love it too!
Hi Amellia,
Happy New Year!!🎆 Love to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! XxT