Healthier Hamburger Helper
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Skip the boxed stuff - this healthier homemade Hamburger Helper is creamy, flavorful, and made with simple, real-food ingredients. it's a family-friendly, one-pan dinner that delivers all the nostalgic comfort of the classic but once you try this easy weeknight favorite, you'll never go back to the box again!
Be sure to check out some of my other pasta recipes like my Lighter Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli or my Creamy Pumpkin Ravioli with Sausage!
Quick Look: Healthier Hamburger Helper
- 🕒 Total Time: 45 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 8
- 📊 Calories: 330 per serving
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Why You'll Love This Healthier Hamburger Helper
✔️ Creamy & Delicious - This dish just screams comfort and the flavor is fantastic! I promise you won't be missing a box mix.
✔️ One-Pan Convenience - Minimal cleanup with few dishes. Can I get an amen?!
✔️ Great For Leftovers - This works great for leftovers. My kids love taking it in thermoses for their school lunches.
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Select Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef - I prefer 1 lb of 93% lean beef or leaner to lower the fat content. You could swap this out for ground turkey, but may want to use extra seasonings for more flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes - I really like using petite diced tomatoes in this recipe. I find that kids will eat it a little better this way!
- Pasta - Elbow macaroni keeps this recipe feeling like the old school hamburger helper, but feel free to swap with another shape or a gluten-free pasta if needed.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Tips & Variations
➡️ Make It Higher Fiber - Swap out the pasta with a whole-grain or chickpea pasta to boost the fiber content of this recipe.
➡️ Flavor Twist - Give it a Tex-Mex flavor by adding 1 teaspoon chili powder + cumin and swap diced tomatoes for Rotel (diced tomatoes w/ green chilies).
How To Make This Healthier Hamburger Helper
Step 1: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and cook for about 3 minutes. Add in the beef and cook until no longer pink. Remove any excess grease.
Step 2: Add in the salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, diced tomatoes, and broth and bring up to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta to the pot and cook for as long as the package instruction states, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
Step 3: Once the pasta is cooked through, shut off the heat and add the cheese.
Step 4: Stir together, then let the pasta sit for 5 minutes while the sauce continues to thicken up. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve!
Recipe FAQs
This version is made with real ingredients - lean ground beef, whole-grain pasta, and no boxed mixes or preservatives. By skipping the processed powder packets and using your own spices and broth, you control the sodium and fat content while keeping all the flavor.
Yes! Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta (like chickpea, lentil, or brown rice pasta). Keep in mind that gluten-free pasta can cook faster, so check it a few minutes early to avoid overcooking.
Absolutely. Ground turkey or chicken make great lean swaps for ground beef. You may want to add a touch of olive oil and extra seasoning to boost flavor since leaner meats can dry out more easily.
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Other Healthy Pasta Recipes
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Healthier Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 3 ½ cups beef broth
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Once heated, add garlic and cook for a few minutes.
- Add in the beef and cook until no longer pink. Remove any excess grease.
- Add in the salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, diced tomatoes, and broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the pasta to the pot and cook for as long as the package instruction states, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Once the pasta is cooked through, shut off the heat and add the cheese. Stir together, then let the pasta sit for a few minutes minutes while the sauce continues to thicken up. Serve warm and enjoy!
My kids and even my mom's favorite! 🙂 And one that my kids friends all ask me to make when they come over. It feeds a crowd and tastes so yummy!
Ooooo I bet the rotel was tasty in there too! 🙂
Used rotel and extra cheese. 🙂
Thanks, Rachel! Same! I think my kids ask for it every week! 🙂
This looks and sounds delicious, Hannah. I love how fast it is and how simple the ingredients are.