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Busy weeknight? Don’t stress! This one-pot healthy Hamburger Helper hits all the comfort food notes while being lightened up.
Growing up, Hamburger Helper was such a go-to for quick family dinners. It was fast, filling, and comforting. But these days, I love making my own healthy Hamburger Helper at home. It has all the creamy, cheesy, nostalgic flavors you remember, but it’s lightened up with simple, wholesome ingredients. Plus, it’s just as easy as the boxed version. Everything comes together in one pot for a delicious dinner with almost no cleanup.
What I really love about this healthy Hamburger Helper is how customizable it is. You can use lean ground beef for that classic flavor, or switch things up with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. The pasta simmers right in the sauce, soaking up all that savory goodness, and the result is a cozy, satisfying meal the whole family will want on repeat.
Why You Will Love This Healthy Hamburger Helper
- Made in One Pot: Everything comes together in just one pot for the easiest cleanup. It’s so easy and turns out extra creamy and delicious every time!
- Healthier Homemade Version: You get all the nostalgic flavors you love, made lighter with wholesome, real ingredients and no artificial additives.
- Cheesy Flavor Throughout: Cheddar cheese powder is our secret ingredient for cheesy flavor throughout, while keeping it lighter! It’s a game changer for this recipe!
- Quick & Easy to Make: It’s ready in under 30 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
- Incredibly Flavorful: It’s better than the boxed version and sure to become a favorite!
- Packed with Protein: This is a satisfying, high-protein meal!
- Customizable: You can make this recipe your own with your ground meat of choice, whether it’s ground turkey, chicken, or beef.
“Love this recipe! It’s easy and such a great comfort food. My husband was thrilled as well, so we’ve added this to our regular rotation of favorite meals. Easy and delicious!”
– michelle
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Meat: Use your choice of ground meat for this recipe. Keep it classic with lean ground beef, or go lighter with ground turkey or chicken.
- Onion: Diced onion adds depth of flavor. White, sweet, or brown onions all work great.
- Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the pot with olive oil spray before cooking the onion and meat.
- Salt & Pepper: Season the ground meat with salt and pepper.
- Tomato Paste: A touch of tomato paste adds richness to the dish.
- Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and chili powder makes this dish incredibly flavorful and comforting.
- Dried Pasta: Elbow macaroni is a classic choice and holds the sauce perfectly. We like the low-carb fiber gourmet pasta.
- Broth: Use beef broth for a richer flavor, or low-sodium chicken broth for a lighter option.
- Milk: Any milk works here, so use your favorite! 1% or 2% milk is a great option.
- Cheddar Cheese Powder: The secret ingredient! We use Judee’s cheddar cheese powder for that classic cheesy flavor throughout. It adds delicious cheddar flavor while keeping the dish lighter.
- Shredded Light Cheddar: Stirred in at the end for melty, gooey, cheesy goodness.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Italian Seasoning Swap: Don’t have any on hand? Substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil.
- Pasta Options: Elbow macaroni is classic, but small shells are a great swap too. You can also use Fiber Gourmet pasta, whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, low-carb pasta, or gluten-free pasta if preferred.
- Cheddar Powder Substitution: If you don’t have cheddar powder, just use a box of macaroni and cheese! The pasta from the box replaces the dried pasta, and the cheese packet replaces the cheddar powder.
- Spicy Option: For a spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or chili crunch seasoning on top before serving.
How To Make Healthy Hamburger Helper
Step 1: Lightly spray a large pot with olive oil spray over medium heat on the stovetop. We like to use this oil sprayer. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, then add the ground meat.
Step 2: Season the meat with salt and pepper. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
Step 3: Add the tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and chili powder to the pot. Then, mix to incorporate these ingredients.
Step 4: Pour in the dried elbow macaroni, broth, and milk.
Mix well, then add the cheddar cheese powder and mix again.
Step 5: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cook for 6-12 minutes, depending on your pasta, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 6: Mix, then stir in the shredded light cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 7: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, serve warm, and enjoy!
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Use Small Pasta: Use a small pasta shape like elbow macaroni or shells. They cook quickly and soak up the sauce well.
- Stir Often: Stir the pasta as it cooks so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Gentle Simmerl: A gentle simmer is best to cook the pasta without curdling the milk.
- Pasta Cooking Time: Check the pasta as it cooks since the timing will vary based on the type you use. Aim for al dente pasta. Look at the package directions on the pasta you use for the cooking time as a guide.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover homemade Hamburger Helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When reheating, stir in a splash of milk to bring back the creamy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamburger Helper Healthy?
Yes, this homemade version is a healthier take on the classic boxed Hamburger Helper. We used lean ground turkey and cheddar cheese powder, which reduces the amount of regular cheddar needed while still giving it that cheesy flavor you love.
What Kind of Meat Works Best?
This recipe is super customizable! Use lean ground beef for a classic flavor, or use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Can I Freeze Homemade Hamburger Helper?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers of this homemade Hamburger Helper. You can freeze leftovers for up to 1-2 months. Before ready to serve, defrost it overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and stir in a splash of milk to make it creamy again.
More Pasta Recipes To Try!
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Healthy Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Alfredo Linguine
- Cottage Cheese Mac and Cheese
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
- Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- Pistachio Pesto Pasta
- Cottage Cheese Alfredo
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
ONE POT HEALTHY HAMBURGER HELPER
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey, chicken, or lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion, white, sweet, or brown
- 1 light spray of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 8 ounces dried elbow macaroni
- 2 cups beef broth or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese powder
- 1/2 cup light shredded cheddar cheese
- fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Lightly spray a large pot with olive oil spray over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, then add the ground meat.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper. Break it apart with a spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked through. If using ground beef, drain the fat if needed.
- Add the tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and chili powder to the pot. Then, mix to incorporate these ingredients.
- Pour in the dried elbow macaroni, broth, and milk. Mix well, then add the cheddar cheese powder and mix again.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cook for 6-12 minutes, depending on your pasta, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Mix, then stir in the shredded light cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, serve warm, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Stir Often: Stir the pasta as it cooks so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Gentle Boil: A gentle simmer is best to cook the pasta without curdling the milk.
- Pasta Cooking Time: Check the pasta as it cooks since the timing will vary based on the type you use. Aim for al dente pasta. Look at the package directions on the pasta you use for the cooking time as a guide.
- Italian Seasoning Swap: Substitute with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil.
- Pasta Options: Elbow macaroni is classic, but small shells are a great swap too. You can also use whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, low-carb pasta, or gluten-free pasta if preferred.
- Cheddar Powder Substitution: If you don’t have cheddar powder, just use a box of macaroni and cheese! The pasta from the box replaces the dried pasta, and the cheese packet replaces the cheddar powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m interested in this recipe because who doesn’t love comfort food, as fall approaches! BUT, what’s wrong with using real cheese, and of course cottage cheese in this recipe?
Hi Lindy, we actually do use real cheese in this recipe, shredded light cheddar cheese, along with a little cheese powder. The cheese powder really boosts the flavor while keeping the calories and fat lighter, and the cheddar adds that creamy, cheesy goodness you expect from classic Hamburger Helper. I didn’t use cottage cheese here since it has more of a neutral flavor, and I wanted the bold cheddar flavor to really shine. I hope you give it a try, let us know what you think if you do!
Packed with flavor and ready in minutes, this healthy hamburger helper makes dinner effortless and delicious!
Love this recipe! It’s easy and such a great comfort food. My husband was thrilled as well, so we’ve added this to our regular rotation of favorite meals. Easy and delicious! (and I used nutritional yeast for the first time)
Hi Michelle, I’m so glad you and your husband loved this healthy hamburger helper! That makes me so happy to hear, and I love that it’s become part of your regular rotation. That’s wonderful that you tried nutritional yeast for the first time. It adds such a great flavor boost!