This Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper is an easy meal for busy weeknights! A remake of the boxed version that is naturally gluten free and protein packed!
PIN Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper
Confession time.
I had never, not once in my almost 29 years on this Earth, had Hamburger helper. I even had to buy the boxed kind and make it for dinner one night so that I could know what it tastes like before I tried to remake this hamburger helper recipe.
I know, I know, you’re judging me. My mom just never made it for us growing up as kids. She made mostly chicken dishes (like chicken noodle casserole) that her beef dishes were few and far between. It was mostly just sweet and sour meatballs or meatloaf.
But hey, now I have this homemade version in my adult life and I GOTTA SAY, it’s so much more flavorful (and just as simple) as the boxed kind!
Why you will LOVE this recipe
Sometimes, you just need to cook up a quick and easy, crowd pleasing meal on those busy weeknights with the family. You know, something that everyone will eat with no complaints-even the picky eaters in your family- and dinner will go off without a hitch! All-in-one meals are my favorite because you don’t have to think of side dishes. One pot jambalaya is always a hit in our home, and you also can’t go wrong serving one pot rice casserole or one pan mexican quinoa casserole! Today’s hamburger helper instant pot recipe is a perfect weeknight family meal because it’s easy to make, healthy and nourishing, AND super flavorful too! It’ll be one of those recipes that go on your dinner rotation permanently!
Ingredients Needed
While the boxed version may have some ingredients that are hard to pronounce, this homemade version of hamburger helper in the instant pot is made with ingredients you know and that probably already have a place in your pantry and fridge. Here’s what you’ll need to round up before we get going on this recipe:
- Lean Ground Beef
- Milk of choice
- Chicken or Beef Broth
- Tomato Sauce
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt
- Cornstarch
- Chickpea Elbow Macaroni
- Cheddar Cheese
How to Make Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper
This is one of my FAVE recipes to throw together because everything happens in the same pot! It cuts down on time, and most importantly, dishes to clean! You could even make Instant Pot Hamburger Helper if you wanted it to be even easier! Here’s how to make this easy and tasty meal:
Saute
Cook your ground beef in a dry pan until it’s no longer pink. Drain any of the excess fat.
Sprinkle
Sprinkle on your cornstarch and all of the seasonings evenly over the ground beef.
Microwave
Microwave (or boil in a pot) the almond milk, broth and tomato sauce until it begins to bubble. Pour it into the beef mixture and stir until combined.
Boil
Bring the mixture to a boil and stir in the macaroni. Boil for 1 minute.
Simmer
Cover the pot and simmer it for 10 minutes on medium low. Then, remove the lid and simmer another 5-10 minutes until nice and thick.
CHEESE ME
Stir in the cheese until melted!
How to Store
I recommend storing your leftover instant pot hamburger helper in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days and make fantastic leftovers for lunches at the office! Simply place in a microwave safe dish and heat it up when ready to enjoy.
How to Freeze
This is also a recipe that freezes really well! Once it is cooked and cooled, place your hamburger helper in an airtight, freezer safe container and then slide it in your freezer. It should last up to 3 months if stored correctly in your freezer. Simply thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat and enjoy the next day!
What to serve with homemade healthy hamburger helper
This recipe could be a meal on its own, but it’s always nice to add some veggies! My go to’s are:
Other Healthy Casserole Recipes:
Healthy BBQ Chicken Quinoa Casserole
Cheeseburger Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Lb 85% Lean Ground Beef
- 2 tsp Cornstarch
- 2 tsp Onion powder
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 2 Cups Hot Unsweetened Almond Milk*
- 1 Cup Hot Reduced sodium chicken or beef broth *
- 1 Cup Hot Canned tomato sauce*
- 4 oz Chickpea elbow macaroni noodles
- 1/2 Cup Cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large, high-sided skillet to medium heat and cook the beef until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Discard the extra fat.
- Sprinkle the cornstarch, spices and salt all over the beef. Then, pour in the milk, broth and tomato sauce (make sure they are hot!) and stir until well combined. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, stir in the chickpea pasta. Boil for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Then, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes or so.
- After 10 minutes, remove the lid and cook until thick and reduced, about another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the cheese, if using and DEVOUR!
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
list_recipe]
WEIGHT WATCHERS POINTS PER SERVING: FREESTYLE POINTS: 13 POINTS+: 12 OLD POINTS: 10
(per 1/4 of the recipe including cheese)
Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins with Cream Cheese Filling {Whole Wheat, Low Fat, Low Calorie, Sugar Free + Super Simple}
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Bailey says
Currently making this recipe tonight! I’m using vegan cheddar shreds and a tiny bit of vegan cream cheese! Great recipe! It already looks and smells so great!
Taylor Kiser says
Hope you love!!
Anna Kulej says
I love this recipe. I’ve made it a bunch of times now using a veggie crumble instead of beef and it turns out delicious every time. Thanks for sharing!
Taylor Kiser says
Yay!!! I’m so glad!!
Laura says
It’s the season for comfort food and this looks perfect. Have you tried freezing the left overs for lunches? I’ve never used chicpea noodles so I wonder if they will be mushy when reheated
Taylor Kiser says
I haven’t tried freezing, but I bet it would work!
Megan says
It’s so delicious and easy to make!! We are new to gluten free as my husband and three children were diagnosed with Celiac recently, so finding recipes that everyone will enjoy can be a struggle. This was a hit!! Thanks so much for sharing!! (Tagged your on Instagram ❤️)
Taylor Kiser says
Yay! So glad you liked it!!
Elizabeth m ladd says
It’s been so long since a gluten and dairy free meal has been given the thumbs up by everyone. Thank you!!!!!!
Taylor Kiser says
YAY!! So glad!
Sara says
Do you cook the macaroni before hand or does the hot liquid do the trick!
Taylor Kiser says
Hot liquid does it!
Stacy Newstead says
This is the best recipe! So good it’s the first time I have ever bothered to leave a comment. It saved my butt with a 2-year old, dairy-free 8 month old, and a hungry husband. Thank you!
Taylor Kiser says
YAY1!! I’m so glad!!!!
Tina says
This was amazing!!! It tastes like “regular” hamburger helper. I’m gluten free and dairy free and this hit the spot! Yummy, 5 stars!
Taylor Kiser says
Yaayyy!! So glad to hear that you loved it!
Alexis M Newlin says
Okay you are a magician; this recipe was amazing! Thank you so much for transporting me back to my childhood with this recipe; tastes better than the boxed stuff and was so easy to make 😊
Taylor Kiser says
Yaaayyy!! So glad you loved it Alexis!!
Lacey says
Did this recipe change recently? I swear it had milk in it and no Worcestershire sauce in it before.
Taylor Kiser says
No, it didn’t change. Editing 12/7/2020 to add that in fact, there was actually a glitch in the recipe card plug-in that I just discovered. I’ve fixed it and the correct recipe card is now showing again. Sorry for the confusion!
Johanna says
No, I agree, it must’ve changed. Especially since in the above portion, before the recipe, it mentions and shows milk pictured but then there’s no milk in the ingredient breakdown. I’ve made this multiple times and now I’m super frustrated because I already started it but now don’t know how much milk to add.
Taylor Kiser says
Hi, Johanna! In fact, there was actually a glitch in the recipe card plug-in that I just discovered. I’ve fixed it and the correct recipe card is now showing again. Sorry for the confusion!
Johanna says
Also, I want to add to my last comment where I confirmed that it did, in fact, change…this also wasn’t initially an instant pot recipe, just regular stove top. I have made this multiple times and it’s definitely different now. I guess we’ll see how it turns out, but it was hard to navigate between the ingredients and the regular stovetop instructions because they’re spaced so far apart. And I still added some milk because that was one of the best parts; the added creaminess without the dairy.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks, Johanna! I replied below and will leave it here too. In fact, there was actually a glitch in the recipe card plug-in that I just discovered. I’ve fixed it and the correct recipe card is now showing again. Sorry for the confusion!