Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (One-Pot)

Now that the cold weather has hit, our supper meals are dominated by warm, comforting and nutritious recipes that are – key word – EASY for me to throw together. This One-Pot Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe has become a staple for Fall and Winter weeknights. It’s easy, quick (only 4 steps) and makes a great freezer meal for even busier nights when I don’t have to cook.

What I love about this recipe is that it combines protein-rich foods with veggies and whole grain pasta, making a nutritionally balanced meal! I usually have some raw veggies and dip or a salad on the side regardless, but you can consider this recipe a balanced supper if you wish!

This Homemade Hamburger Helper is Way Better than Store-bought

I’m sure many of you remember having boxed “Hamburger Helper” as a kid. Although nostalgic and for some, delicious, this type of ultra-processed food shouldn’t make its way into your (or your kids’) diet often. The thing is, ultra-processed, packaged foods are often extremely high in sodium, have a long list of preservatives and additives to render it more shelf-stable and cheaper. Plus, artificial flavours and colours to make it look and taste more appealing.

Not only this, but these processed meals seriously lack nutrition—something that kids need A LOT of for growth and development. Bottom line: we should be filling our kids’ plates with whole foods and nutritious processed foods (eg cheese and jarred tomato sauce) first. It’s okay to offer ultra-processed foods once in a while. On that note, here is my list of the top five processed foods I do serve to my kids!

This Homemade Hamburger Helper offers a whole-food twist on an old favourite, that you can feel good about feeding your kids (and eating!).

Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe

Sarah Remmer, RD

This healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper offers a whole-food twist on an old favourite, that you can feel good about feeding your kids (and eating!). 

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Additional Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 48 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 8 -10 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs lean ground beef bison, chicken or turkey
• 4 cups uncooked whole grain regular or gluten-free pasta noodles (like rotini or macaroni)
• ½ yellow onion diced
• 2 cups veggies of choice diced (eg. mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc.)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1.5 cups milk of choice
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1-680 mL jar tomato pasta sauce
• 2 tsp Italian Seasoning
• Tsp red pepper flakes
• 3 cups cheddar cheese or cheese of choice

Instructions

 

• Add beef to a large stock pot and cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Return to stove and add onion, garlic, red pepper, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and cook until vegetables are tender-crisp and bright in colour.
• Add milk, broth, tomato sauce and uncooked macaroni to pot and mix well. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook for about 15-18 minutes, stirring often. You may need to add more liquid during the cooking process depending on the type of pasta you’re using. You want the noodles to be el dente and the liquid to thicken.
• Remove from heat. Add frozen peas and about 1 cup of the grated cheese and stir until melted. Transfer the hamburger helper to a casserole dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
• Place the casserole in a preheated oven (375 degrees) for 5-10 minutes until cheese is golden brown on top. Allow cooling time before serving.
  
  

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sarah Remmer, RD

Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.