Ever wondered how to make hamburger helper? Well I am HERE to tell you how to make it. This pasta dish can be done in 30, and this recipe is a healthier hamburger helper with a LOT less sodium (and no cream).
If you are saying to yourself, “What’s hamburger helper?” You must have been born recently? Every kid knew the divine pasta dish that was gooey, cheesy and filled with beef. I did some research about why it’s called hamburger helper, and it was simply because it was a substitute during a meat shortage in the 70’s. Very confusing, but very nostalgic.
Is hamburger helper bad for you? No, I think everything is fine in moderation but it is well known for having an obscene amount of salt. So if you need to keep your blood pressure in good graces, try this recipe! Kids will love it too.
Use lean beef for the hamburger helper
Use your discretion, but I like to get the 90% lean ground beef from Trader Joe’s. Yes, this requires more work on your behalf – it will be harder to break up, but just work it into bits with a spatula. In a fry pan, brown the beef all over with some chopped yellow onion.
Add lots of spices like paprika, garlic, onion powder and (just a pinch) of salt! To prep the meat, sprinkle on a tiny bit of flour.
Prepare the hamburger helper sauce
Here’s exciting news: Hamburger Helper can be made with almond milk! I used it and it tasted great.
Sauce Ingredients
- Almond Milk – unsweetened and plain! Although you can certainly use dairy milk, like skim milk.
- Tomato Sauce – a can of tomato purée works
- Chicken broth – low sodium!
- White Cheddar Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese
It’s important to let the sauce get thick, so we add everything but the cheese at this point. Mix it in with the meat and let it SIMMER.
Make the noodles and pour on the sauce
You know how to boil macaroni, yes? Then we just pour the sauce right onto the cooked noodles, and then we add in the cheese while it’s still hot! Everything melts together into a delicious pasta.
What to serve with Hamburger Helper?
- Salad (haha, ok sorry this isn’t very inspiring is it?)
- Asparagus
- Green Beans
- Honey Whiskey Almond Bread
- Cornbread muffins
- Brussel sprouts
- Roasted Broccoli
And honestly that is it for your healthier hamburger helper! Top with parsley and thyme and you are ready to eat! Finish with dessert: like my Kitchen Sink Cookies, Cookie Monster Cookies, or my Vanilla Birthday Cake Blondies.
If you make my Hamburger Helper
Leave me a comment and rating below the recipe card and tell me what you think! I would love your feedback.
Need supplies to make this dish?
- Get the same slotted spoon I use here
- Sur la table Non-stick Stock Pot for your noodles
- Large sauté pan to hold all of that sauce (also Sur la table)
And if you want MORE pasta dishes, try my Panera Bread copycat macaroni and cheese or Slow Cooker Red Wine and Beef Rigatoni.
Healthier Hamburger Helper
Equipment
- medium fry pan
- large pot
- pasta strainer
- cheese grater
- cutting board
- sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef (80 – 90% lean)
- ½ cup yellow onion diced
- 1 lb macaroni noodles
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or skim milk
- 15 oz plain tomato pureé
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ⅓ cup white cheddar cheese grated
- ⅓ cup mozzarella torn
- basil leaves optional
- thyme leaves optional
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and place it on high heat to bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the macaroni noodles and cook until al dente, around 8 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and strain the noodles. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, chop the onion. In a medium fry pan over medium heat, add the onions and the ground beef. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned all over, 4-5 minutes.
- Add the paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir until well combined. Sprinkle on the flour and stir until the meat is evenly coated.
- Pour in the almond milk, tomato sauce and chicken broth. Carefully stir and then bring the mixture to a boil for 2 minutes. Then bring it down to simmer, and let simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce is thick.
- In the meantime, grate the white cheddar and tear the mozzarella. Pour the macaroni back into the large pot. When the sauce is finished simmering, pour the sauce directly onto the noodles. While it's hot, add in the cheese and stir together until the noodles are evenly coated.
- Top with basil or thyme if you wish. Dish and serve!
