It’s time to make a journey down reminiscence lane as a result of I made you a do-it-yourself, creamy, nostalgic, lightened up hamburger helper recipe that you just’re going to LOVE.
The workforce and I examined out this recipe final fall and OMG we saved going again to sneak bites from the pan. Bonus factors: Sidney and Viggo wolfed it up for dinner that evening even after I blended in some additional veggies.
This wholesome hamburger helper is simply as simple to make as it’s scrumptious. You’ll actually cook dinner all the pieces proper in a single pan with a handful of pantry staples and the end result tastes 100x higher than the boxed stuff you grew up on. I’ve included tons of how to customise it with completely different meat choices, veggie add-ins, and even a touch of spice if the kiddos aren’t concerned.
OH and it takes nearly half-hour from begin to end. AKA the final word weeknight dinner you’ll make repeatedly.
What’s hamburger helper?
Oh, hamburger helper. The nostalgic, scrumptious Betty Crocker dinner of my childhood (and possibly a lot of yours!) The OG hamburger helper accommodates a field of noodles, powdered seasonings and starches and it’s meant to be mixed with floor beef for a whole meal. The boxed dinner was really created within the ’70s throughout a meat scarcity for a fast and straightforward meal for households.
My lightened up model is nearly simply as fast and straightforward, and crammed with elements you’ll be able to really pronounce!
Components on this wholesome hamburger helper
I took the unique boxed magic and changed the fillers and pouches with flavorful seasonings, a beautiful do-it-yourself sauce, and lean floor turkey for savory protein. You’ll LOVE this lightened up model made with healthful elements you’ll be able to be ok with. Right here’s what you’ll have to make it:
- Floor turkey: we’re skipping the meat and utilizing lean floor turkey for that protein increase. You’ll cook dinner it down with onion and garlic for additional taste.
- For the sauce: the simple sauce is made additional creamy with low sodium hen broth, any milk you’d like, and tomato sauce.
- Seasonings: the true wholesome hamburger helper style comes from paprika, dried oregano, and loads of salt and pepper.
- Pasta: the star of the present! I used pipe rigate pasta as a result of I really like how the sauce will get into each little nook and cranny of the noodle.
- Cheese: don’t overlook loads of sharp cheddar cheese. I used my fav Cabot sharp cheddar on this recipe.
Make it your personal
This simple hamburger helper recipe is ideal for customizing with elements you’ve available. Listed here are some really useful swaps and add-ins you’ll be able to strive:
- Add a lift of veggies: be at liberty to throw in shredded zucchini, sauteed chopped crimson bell pepper, or mushrooms or a couple of cups of chopped spinach! My children often by no means know that it’s in there.
- Spice it up: in case you’d like you’ll be able to add some crimson pepper flakes on high.
- Select your meat: you’ll be able to completely use floor beef or floor hen in case you’d like! Alternatively, you can fold in cooked, cubed hen breast.
- Decide your pasta: I’ve discovered that pipe rigate, shells, or massive elbow noodles are finest for this pasta so that you just get the noodles properly coated with all of the creaminess of the sauce, however as much as you! It’s also possible to, in fact, use your favourite gluten free pasta to maintain the recipe gluten free.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Certain! Merely omit the bottom turkey and fold in a can of chickpeas, black beans, or your fav plant-based meat substitute.
One pan wholesome hamburger helper in 3 steps
- Prepare dinner your meat. Begin by cooking down the bottom turkey in a massive pot or skillet with olive oil, garlic, onion, salt & pepper.
- Add the sauce & pasta. Stir in your whole sauce and seasoning elements till they’re effectively mixed, then fold within the pasta. Convey all the pieces to a delicate boil and cook dinner it uncovered till your pasta is tender and a lot of the liquid is absorbed. Tip: stir it from time to time so the pasta doesn’t get caught!
- Cheese it & devour. Lastly, take away it from the warmth and stir in the entire cheddar cheese. Season with just a little salt and pepper to style, then garnish with parsley and crimson pepper flakes in case you’d like!
Get fancy with a breadcrumb topping
This hamburger helper recipe would even be scrumptious baked with a breadcrumb topping! Right here’s how one can do it:
- Step 1: cook dinner the entire recipe as directed and pour it right into a 9×9 inch or 11×7 inch baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
- Step 2: make your breadcrumb topping by mixing collectively 1/2 cup breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Step 3: sprinkle the breadcrumb topping onto the pasta and bake for 20 minutes at 350 levels F till the topping is golden brown.
Storing ideas
You may retailer any leftover do-it-yourself hamburger helper in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days. Merely reheat within the microwave.
Extra pasta recipes you’ll love
Get all of my cozy pasta recipes right here!
I hope you like this lightened up hamburger helper recipe! In the event you make it you’ll want to depart a remark and a score so I understand how you preferred it. Get pleasure from, xo!
One Pan Lightened Up Hamburger Helper

The creamiest one pan lightened up hamburger helper made with easy elements for a nostalgic, comforting dinner the entire household will love. This wholesome hamburger helper takes simply half-hour to make and is filled with flavorful and protein! Choices so as to add your fav veggies or spice it up if you would like.
Components
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean floor turkey (93% is nice)
- Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style
- 3 cups low sodium hen broth
- 1 cup milk of selection
- 8 ounces tomato sauce (1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 10 ounces pipe rigate pasta
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (we use Cabot)
- Freshly floor salt and pepper, to style
- For garnish:
- Freshly chopped parsley
Directions
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Place a big pot over medium-high warmth and add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add in diced onion, garlic and floor turkey; season with salt and pepper and break up the meat, cooking till now not pink, about 5-8 minutes.
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Subsequent, add within the hen broth, milk, tomato sauce, paprika and dried oregano; stirring till effectively mixed. Subsequent stir within the pasta and convey to a slight boil; you’ll cook dinner UNCOVERED till the pasta is sweet and tender, about 10-12 minutes (relying in your pasta form) and a lot of the liquid (however not all!) is absorbed. You’ll need just a little little bit of liquid left to make the sauce good and creamy. Bear in mind you don’t have to have this over a roaring boil, only a mild boil. Additionally, you’ll want to stir from time to time so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t get caught to the underside of the pan.
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Take away from warmth and stir within the sharp cheddar cheese and add further salt and pepper, to style. Serve instantly with recent parsley and crimson pepper flakes on high, if desired! Serves 4-6.
Recipe Notes
Spice it up: in case you’d like you’ll be able to add some crimson pepper flakes on high.
I’ve discovered that pipe rigate, shells or massive elbow noodles are finest for this pasta so that you just get the noodles properly coated with all of the creaminess of the sauce, however as much as you!
See the complete publish for ideas, methods, and much more methods to customise this recipe!
Vitamin
Serving: 1serving (primarily based on 6)Energy: 446kcalCarbohydrates: 41.7gProtein: 25.5gFats: 20.3gSaturated Fats: 6.7gFiber: 2.7gSugar: 3.3g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Formidable Kitchen | Pictures by: Eat Love Eats
This publish was initially revealed on October tenth, 2022, and republished on September tenth, 2023.