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Cue all of the nostalgic feelings because Hamburger Helper is making a comeback — and this One-Pot Hamburger Helper is just as good as the boxed version and a little bit better for you.
Raise your hands if you grew up on Hamburger Helper! My mom made it all the time when I was a kid and I think we can all agree that stuff is freaking delicious. This homemade version has all the same flavors of that nostalgic dish, but is made with nourishing ingredients that will make you feel good. It’s also such a great option for when you just don’t have time to think or cook dinner!
Plus, it doesn’t take any longer to make than the boxed version! For families that have picky eaters, this dish may just be the answer to your prayers.
ingredients:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Ground Beef
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Tomato Paste
- Dried Elbow Pasta
- Beef Broth
- Milk
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Fresh Parsley
step-by-step:
step one: cook the beef
Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or pot set over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook, breaking up the ground beef with the back of a spoon, until the beef is cooked through, no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of excess fat, if needed.
step two: add the tomato paste
Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
step three: cook the pasta
Add the pasta, beef broth, and milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is tender, stirring very often, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the pasta is al dente, 12 to 15 minutes.
step four: fold in the cheesy and herbs
Remove from heat and fold in the cheese. Garnish with parsley, if using. Serve and enjoy!
recipe faqs:
You can substitute the two cups of milk with almond milk or use four cups of beef broth instead. You can also omit the cheddar cheese altogether.
Heat the mixture in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add about 1/4 cup of beef broth to rehydrate the noodles, depending on how much you’re reheating, until the noodles are tender and you reach your desired consistency.
So here we have it—a one-pot, easy, and delicious One-Pot Hamburger Helper that your kids will love!
looking for more one-pot recipes? try these!
One-Pot Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff
One-Pot Spaghetti-O’s with Mini Meatballs
One-Pot Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 12 ounced dried elbow pasta, such as Jovial Brown Rice Pasta
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet or pot set over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Cook, breaking up the ground beef with the back of a spoon, until the beef is cooked through, no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of excess fat, if needed.
- Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Add the pasta, beef broth and milk and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until pasta is tender, stirring very often, until most of the liquid has absorbed and the pasta is al dente, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and fold in the cheese. Garnish with parsley, if using. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Eat Love Eats.
Do you have instructions to do this in the instant pot? It is so delicious but I’d love to do it in my IP.😊
I haven’t yet tried it in my instant pot, im sorry!
Made this for Sunday night dinner. Huge hit, it was delish! Thanks for the inspo.
Oh good!!! 🙂
Made this tonight and it was a WINNER!! Thanks for a healthier, chemical free, and delicious option.
Oh good!! I am so glad you loved it!!
Made this last night and it was delish!! I think next time I will add a can of diced tomatos and some cajun seasoning to spice it up a little.
Hello! I was wanting to make this this week. Probably a dumb question but… do you cook the pasta separate then add it in?
No, the pasta cooks in the liquid directly in the pot with the other ingredients.
I made this tonight and it was INCREDIBLE! Thank you for sharing!
I subbed regular milk for unsweetened almond milk and it worked!
Oh good!! I am glad the almond milk was a success!! 🙂 thanks for sharing.
My husband happened to be looking over my shoulder as I was watching your Instagram story about this and he freaked! He used to love Hamburger Helper as a kid. I had no idea. But I’ve never seen him get so excited about something food related. I cannot wait to make this for him. I’m thinking of stirring in a box of spinach to give it a bit more of a nutritional punch!
haha, i love it!! hubby’s seem to be going crazy for this recipe here,which is always a win! and yes, adding any sort of veggie you want is a great idea!! love the idea of adding spinach 🙂 ENJOY!
This was dynamite! Totally reminded me of eating hamburger helper back in the day but don’t have to worry about what’s in it this way. So delicious! Whole family loved it!
Oh, yay!! I am so glad! Thank you, Jenna!
Can’t wait to try this soon! Thanks for posting! I’m assuming for the dairy free version you use 4 TOTAL cups of beef broth – not 4 cups (ilo milk) + the other 2 cups of broth already called for?
yes, you are correct. I will clarify that on the recipe thanks for pointing that out! 4 cups total of beef broth if you go dairy free 🙂
Made this for dinner tonight. DELISH! Thanks for sharing!
Oh Good! I am so glad you enjoyed it!