4.9 from 30 votes
Healthy Hamburger Helper
Skip the boxed meal and make this homemade healthy hamburger helper instead. It's a one pot meal that's ready in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
23 mins
Total Time
28 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
534 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped, medium
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 lb ground beef I used 85%/15%, but you could go leaner, if desired, lean
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste, fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 heaping Tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 cups milk whole or dairy-free
- 8 oz macaroni noodles or small shells
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, mild
- parsley for serving, fresh
Instructions
- Add oil to a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Once oil is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes until your meat is cooked through. Drain fat, if needed.
- Add spices, tomato paste, broth and milk. Stir in dry pasta.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook about 8-12 minutes, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Let sit for 1-2 more minutes until cheese has melted and then toss to combine.
- Serve immediately with fresh parsley, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Storage: You can store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Place them in an airtight container—keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back the creamy texture.
- Substitutions: Lighten it up with ground turkey or chicken, or go meatless with crumbled tofu or plant-based ground “meat.”
Nutrition Information
Serving
1/6 recipe
Calories
534kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
38g
(13%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
98mg
(33%)
Sodium
770mg
(32%)
Potassium
300mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 534
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/6 recipe | |
| Calories | 534kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 770mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 300mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.