Healthy Hamburger Helper
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Skip the boxed meal and make this homemade healthy hamburger helper instead. It’s a one pot meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
I’ve shared this before, but growing up I ate a lot of packaged food and fast food. One of my all-time favorite meals to eat as a kid was Hamburger Helper.
Since having kids of my own, there are certain nostalgic recipes that I want to share with them. That said, I don’t love the idea of serving my kiddos the boxed meal I grew up eating, so I set out to make a homemade, healthy Hamburger Helper with no artificial preservatives or additives.
It took me making this recipe a few times to get the consistency and flavor just right, but once I did I was obsessed! This version is made with simple, real-food ingredients, but it still has all the creamy, savory goodness I remember loving as a kid. The best part? My kids are equally as obsessed with this recipe. Both Olivia and Tucker gobbled it up every time I made it, which was quite a few times while testing.
If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper as a kid (and even if you didn’t) I know you and your whole family are going to love this recipe!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pot – Just one pan, easy cleanup, and so satisfying.
- Kid-approved – My kids went crazy for this, and I love that it’s made with real ingredients.
- Creamy and comforting – With tender pasta, melted cheese, and savory spices, it’s comfort food at its best.
- Easily customizable – Use dairy-free milk, go for lean ground beef, or throw in some veggies to make it your own!
Ingredients Needed
- yellow onion and garlic – fresh onion and garlic add a delicious savory depth that’s so much better than anything from a box.
- ground beef – I like to use 85% lean, but you can go leaner if you prefer. Ground turkey works too!
- paprika, oregano and chili powder – these spices give the dish a warm, comforting flavor that’s a little smoky, a little savory.
- tomato paste – adds a rich, tomato flavor that thickens the sauce.
- low-sodium beef or chicken broth – the broth is key for cooking the pasta and building flavor. Go for low-sodium to keep it lighter.
- milk – I use whole milk for creaminess, but feel free to use dairy-free milk if you’d like!
- macaroni noodles or small shells – classic choices that cook right in the sauce and soak up all that flavor.
- mild cheddar cheese – shredded cheese melts beautifully and gives the dish that creamy, comforting texture.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions
- Ground beef: Want to lighten it up? Swap in ground turkey or chicken! And if you’re going meatless, crumbled tofu or your favorite plant-based ground “meat” will keep the texture spot-on.
- Milk: To make it dairy-free, use almond, cashew, or oat milk for that same creamy vibe. The dish still turns out rich and comforting!
- Cheddar cheese: Go dairy-free with your favorite plant-based cheese, or try nutritional yeast for a “cheesy” flavor without the dairy. You won’t miss a thing!
- Broth: Low-sodium beef or chicken broth adds depth, but if you’re aiming for a vegetarian version, vegetable broth works like a charm.
- Spice it up: Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.
How to Make Healthy Hamburger Helper
Step 1: Add oil to a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
Step 2: Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes until your meat is cooked through. Drain fat, if needed.
Step 3: Add spices, tomato paste, broth and milk to the pot.
Step 4: Stir in the dry pasta. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Step 5: Cook the pasta for about 8-12 minutes, or until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Let sit for 1-2 more minutes until cheese has melted and then toss.
Brittany’s Tip
Go for fresh cheese! Trust me, freshly shredded cheese is worth the extra minute! Pre-shredded cheese can have additives that keep it from melting smoothly, but if you grab a block and grate it yourself, you’ll get that gooey, creamy texture that takes this dish to the next level. Plus, the flavor is unbeatable!
How to Serve
I love serving this Healthy Hamburger Helper straight from the pot, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and chives, it’s classic comfort food at its best! But a few extras never hurt. Here are some fun options to make this meal even better:
- Veggie side – Add a pop of green with sautéed green beans, balsamic roasted brussels sprouts, or roasted broccoli. Their crisp flavor balances out the creamy pasta perfectly.
- Salad – A fresh salad is a great match! Try my kale caesar salad or this arugula salad to add freshness and color.
- Bread – Pair with homemade sourdough bread to soak up every last bit of that creamy sauce.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
Refrigerator: Got leftovers? Just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge where they’ll stay good for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy goodness.
Freezer: This dish freezes well! Let it cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop with a bit of milk or broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Totally! This dish is great to make in advance. Just store it in the fridge and reheat when ready to serve, adding a bit of milk or broth to get it back to that perfect, creamy consistency.
Of course! Feel free to use small shells, rotini, or even penne. Just check the pasta a bit early to make sure it’s cooked al dente.
If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. If it’s too thin, let it cook for a couple of extra minutes to thicken up. A little tweak here and there, and you’re all set!
More Pasta Recipes
- Healthy Mac and Cheese
- One Pot Pasta
- Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- Spaghetti Squash Baked Feta Pasta
- Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with Tahini Sauce
- Turkey Bolognese
- Healthy Lasagna
Be sure to check out the full collection of dinner recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Healthy Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef, I used 85%/15%, but you could go leaner, if desired
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 heaping Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 2 cups whole milk or dairy-free milk
- 8 oz dry uncooked macaroni noodles or small shells
- 2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
- fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Add oil to a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes until your meat is cooked through. Drain fat, if needed.
- Add spices, tomato paste, broth and milk. Stir in dry pasta.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook about 8-12 minutes, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Let sit for 1-2 more minutes until cheese has melted and then toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: You can store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Place them in an airtight container—keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back the creamy texture.
- Substitutions: Lighten it up with ground turkey or chicken, or go meatless with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground “meat.”
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
This looks and sounds amazing!!! Question… when we season the beef with salt & pepper, is that the salt & pepper ingredients listed or do we season on our own and add those ingredients with the rest of the spices? I hope that makes sense!
Sorry for the confusion! You season the beef with the salt and pepper listed in the ingredient list. 🙂