• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Camp Joy
Watch VideoRead CommentsLeave a Review

One-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper with Sneaky Veggies

September 20, 2022 by Joy the Baker 28 Comments

Jump to Recipe

You’ll be making this homemade hamburger helper recipe for dinner at least once a month. It’s a hearty and comforting dish and jam packed with secret veggies. Not that we need to keep veggies a secret but… sometimes we do. Let’s make classic Helper from scratch! Your kids (or the child inside your heart) will just love it!

Big serving of homemade hamburger helper.

If you were raised in he 80’s and 90’s, I feel like you sat down to a dinner table of either Hamburger Helper or Stouffer’s Lasagna. We were a Hamburger Helper family. That little cartoon oven mitt had me convinced I was an actual chef and clearly I ‘ve drawn that feeling out into a lifestyle. With a little finesse (aka getting the seasoning pack lumps out), and some extra grated cheese, I would argue that I was a chef and there’s no use telling me different at this point.  Honestly, God bless the meal that your kids can cobble together for the whole family.  That must have been truly liberating for my parents.

Let’s make one of my childhood favorites, from scratch, with extra zucchini and cauliflower (because we’re grown and we know what’s good for us).  This pot-o-pasta is so dang comforting you’ll want to keep the recipe printed and taped inside a kitchen cabinet. That’s the level.

Ingredients for homemade hamburger helper in small bowls.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this homemade hamburger helper recipe:

•  ground beef (or you could use ground turkey – dark meat will give you the most flavor – or ground chicken for the leanest option.)

•  diced onions

•  shredded zucchini

•  minced cauliflower (or broccoli if you’d like the green option.)

•  elbow macaroni pasta

•  olive oil

•  sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper

•  shredded sharp cheddar cheese

•  chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder

•  milk (or heavy cream for a very decadent option)

•  beef broth or chicken broth or vegetable broth

•  fresh parsley or chives

Ground beef and onions cooking in hot dutch oven.
Spices added to ground beef.


The beauty of this hamburger helper recipes, aside from it’s ultimate comfort, is that it’s also an easy stovetop one pot meal.

In a large dutch oven, stock pot, or large skillet with high sides –  heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add ground beef and onions.  Stir around the hot pan to brown, breaking up the beef with the edge of the spoon.

Once the beef is cooked through, add all of the spices, salt and pepper and stir until fragrant – about 2 minutes.

Pasta and shredded zucchini and cauliflower added to pot.
Broth and milk added to homemade hamburger helper.


Once the beef is cooked through and fragrant, add the elbow pasta, shredded zucchini and minced cauliflower. Give a stir and add the broth and milk.

Next we’ll simmer all that goodness until the pasta is al dente.  Here’s the thing, we’re not working with a ton of liquid here but you want as much of that uncooked pasta in contact with the simmering liquid as possible.  I used the back of a spoon to press the pasta into the sauce, cover the pot, and bring to a low boil for 8 to 12 minutes over medium heat. Remove the lid and give the mixture a good stir and again press the pasta into the liquid halfway through simmering.

Shredded cheese added to hamburger helper dinner recipe.

Remove the lid when the pasta is just cooked through and add handfuls of shredded cheddar cheese.  Stir until the mixture is melty, creamy and otherwise irresistible.  Remove from the heat and place the lid on the pot until ready to serve (within the hour or so).

Hamburger helper recipe in pot.

Serve this hamburger helper recipe sprinkled with fresh parsley or chives (or skip them if it feels fussy).  This is a bowl on the couch sort of meal so act accordingly.

Scratch that tastes better than the box and is just as comforting (knowing those sneaky veggies are adding added nutrients).

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The leftovers are fantastic reheated with a splash of water or milk.  I’ve also been known to eat a few spoonfuls cold from the fridge with absolutely zero complaints.

Share your Helper on Facebook or Instagram if you make this recipe!

Baked Marry Me Chicken topped with green olives and fresh parsley.


More One-Pot Dinner inspiration here!

One-Pot Marry Me Chicken – we’re doubling the cream sauce, adding green olives, and serving with rice. I LOVE this chicken dish!

One-Pot No-Chop Chicken Meatball Dinner – it’s the ‘no-chop’ for me. Sometimes cutting an onion is just too much.

One-Pot Chocolate Sheet Cake – chocolate cake but fewer dishes.

One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper– a vegan version of this recipe made by one of my favorite bloggers Timothy.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Big serving of homemade hamburger helper.

One-Pot Healthy-ish Hamburger Helper

★★★★★ 5 from 13 reviews
  • Author: Joy the Baker
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: serves 6
  • Category: dinner
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Description

The most comforting 90s dinner – homemade.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup of chopped onion)
  • 1 pound ground beef, leaner is better
  • Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon spicy smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pound short pasta, like elbow or ditalini
  • 1 zucchini, grated on a box grater
  • A few handfuls of cauliflower chopped finely
  • 2 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Parsley for serving

Instructions

  1. Place a large pot (I love my dutch oven for this) over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, onion, and ground beef and break the beef into the onion as it browns. Season with a generous pinch of kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Allow the meat and onions to brown and cook through, breaking up to fine bits, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Add the chili powder, paprikas, and garlic powder and cook for another minute.
  3. Add the dry pasta, zucchini, and cauliflower and toss to combine. Add the broth and milk and stir to combine.  Press the pasta into the liquid as best you can. It won’t all be submerged but don’t worry, it’ll all soften eventually.
  4. Place the lid on the pot and simmer over medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Remove the lid to stir the mixture once or twice during cooking to ensure all the pasta softens.
  5. Remove the lid and stir in the cheese until well combined and melty and the pasta is completely softened. Taste and season with more salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Divide the pasta between bowls and top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.

Keywords: dinner, one-pot, hamburger helper, beef, easy weeknight meal,

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Previous PostNext Post

Categories: Dinner, Healthy, Recipes

Previous Post: «
Next Post: »
Loading comments...

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

2023 CAMP JOY SUMMER ZINE – get it here!

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

MY FAVORITE CAMPING GEAR

Jump to Recipe

SHOP MY FAVORITE GEAR HERE! 

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

CHECK IT OUT ON INSTAGRAM

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

close up of strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream

Dad’s Biscuits Make The Best Shortcake

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker, author of books, lover of butter
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
📝Inquiries megan@underscoretalent.com

joythebaker
We’re About to Be Friends featuring @grossypelos We’re About to Be Friends featuring @grossypelosi and his gigantic meatballs! ♥️🤝🤯
Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies #taylorsversion made wit Chai-Spiced Sugar Cookies #taylorsversion made with an old sugar cookie recipe I made back in 2009 (like whaaat?) and a boatload of warm autumn spiced @taylorswift added to the dough.⁣
⁣
This cookie recipe explodes on my site every September and for good reason. We’re fall girlies and we love a little nutmeg glaze. ⁣
⁣
Find the full recipe linked in the profile! Xo
I don’t know what it is about this year, but I j I don’t know what it is about this year, but I just need more light-hearted fun, more hugs, more breakfast made by mom, and more coffee walks in the sand. Let’s do autumn now, nice and steady.
🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeas 🥯🥯 for the weekend, babes! Save this no-yeast bagel magic for your Sunday morning. ⁣
⁣⁣
Two Easy No-Yeast Bagels⁣⁣
1/2 cup self-rising flour⁣⁣
4 tablespoons greek yogurt (plus a teaspoon or two more if needed)⁣
1 large egg, beaten for egg wash⁣⁣
1/3 - 1/2 cup grated gouda or gruyere⁣⁣
Everything bagel seasoning⁣⁣
3 tablespoons baking soda with 2 cups of boiling water. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray the paper lightly with nonstick spray. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
In a small bowl, use a firm spatula to work together the flour and yogurt. Add a few teaspoons of yogurt if it feels dry and knead into a cohesive ball for 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with a bit more flour if it gets overly sticky. Cover with a damp paper towel and gather your toppings. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Divide dough in two and roll each piece into a roughly 8-inch rope. Bring the ends around and pinch into a circle. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Sprinkle the bottom of the prepared pan with grated cheese in two spots.  Pour boiling water over the baking soda and float each bagel in the water for 20 or so seconds.  Use a slotted spot or spatula to transfer the bagels on top of the cheese.  Brush lightly with egg. Sprinkle with more cheese and everything bagel seasoning. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Bake for 20 - 22 minutes until deeply golden and bubbling.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and smearing with cream cheese.
The secret to really great muffins is eating them The secret to really great muffins is eating them warm, with a big smear of butter and a sprinkle flakey sea salt. ❇️ This goes for any muffin but is especially delicious on these a Vegan Carrot Zucchini Harvest Muffins because they have so many veggies they’re basically a salad. ❇️ Full recipe linked in the bio! Xo
This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is pa This fall the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is packed with oats, @guittardchocolate baking wafers, and candy coated chocolate pieces from @traderjoes. ✌️ It’s the perfect weekend bake, babes! Full recipe linked in the profile!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up