Healthy Hamburger Helper

Give the classic childhood favorite an upgrade with this Healthy Hamburger Helper recipe. Loaded with veggies, spices, and cheese, this nutrient-packed recipe is one that the entire family will love.

An easy, healthy homemade hamburger helper recipe

Was hamburger helper one of anyone else’s childhood favorites? It was always a good day when we knew the cheesy meal was on the dinner ticket! Today, I’m sharing a healthy homemade version that is sure to rival (if not surpass) the real deal.

This healthy hamburger helper recipe utilizes extra ingredients to bring in vital nutrients and expand on the flavor. By throwing in select veggies (onions, bell peppers, spinach), beef broth, Greek yogurt, and spices, this meal is totally transformed into a nutritious, filling dish!

Ingredients in this healthy hamburger helper recipe

Below is a list of everything you’ll need to make this recipe. I like to gather everything before I begin for a quick and easy cooking process.

• Olive oil: This recipe kicks off with 2 tbsp of olive oil. This will be used to cook the veggies.
• Vegetables: Next, load up on veggies and dice up 1 small yellow onion, 1/2 red pepper, and 1/2 green pepper.
• Beef: The meat portion of this hamburger helper recipe will consist of 1 lb of ground beef. You can use lean ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken if preferred.
• Noodles: For the pasta, we’ll be using 1 lb of dry elbow macaroni. You don’t need to cook the noodles before adding them to the recipe. For a healthier option, go with chickpea or whole wheat pasta.
• Broth: Rather than using water, incorporate more flavor into the recipe by cooking the helper in 4 cups of beef broth. You can use chicken broth if preferred.
• Water: We will use some water though. Add 1 cup.
• Tomato sauce: Help the classic hamburger helper flavor take shape with 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce.
• Spices: Flavor things up with some spices! Use 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp chili powder.
• Greek yogurt: Add 1.5 cups of plain Greek yogurt to thicken up the recipe.
• Cheese: Cheese is a must in this recipe! Use 1.5 cups of light cheddar.
• Spinach: Last but not least, finish off the recipe with 1 6oz bag of spinach.

Tools used to make easy hamburger helper

To create this homemade recipe, you will need a cutting board, cutting knife, large dutch oven or pot, and a stirring utensil. Everything is made in one pot!

To measure out ingredients, you will need 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup sized measuring cups.

How to make this hamburger helper healthy recipe

Ready to get started? This one pot recipe comes together in around 30 minutes and serves 10!

To begin, heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot. Add the onion and peppers and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables become soft.

Then, add the ground beef and stir until fully cooked. If necessary, drain excess fat.

Next, pour in the dry pasta, beef broth, water, tomato sauce, and spices. Place the lid on the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until almost all of liquid is gone. Stir every few minutes.

Once the liquid is absorbed, stir in the Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese. Then, add the spinach. The spinach may take a few minutes to wilt, but once it does, stir it into the noodles. Serve in bowls.

How this hamburger helper is healthier

This homemade hamburger helper recipe comes together to be a nutrient-rich option. We’re able to incorporate extra nutrients by using a few key ingredients:

Veggies
First, this recipe is loaded up with vegetables! We bring in spinach, onion, and two kinds of bell peppers to incorporate extra nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, iron, magnesium, and more.

Greek Yogurt
To thicken up the recipe, we use 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt. This adds so much protein!

Light Cheddar
Finally, this recipe uses light cheddar over regular to make the recipe a bit healthier.

Once cooled, leftovers can be transferred to an airtight container, stored in the refrigerator, and enjoyed for up to 3 days. If storing in the freezer, enjoy within 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

How do you perk up hamburger helper? What can I add to hamburger helper to make it better?

You can go crazy on the veggies! This recipe uses onion, red and green bell pepper, and spinach, but you can also add jalapenos, shredded zucchini, mushrooms… the list goes on.

What should you season hamburger helper with?

We’re seasoning our hamburger helper recipe with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. Of course, you’re welcome to add extra spices and herbs if you’d like! Some options include onion powder or fresh parsley.

Can you add butter to hamburger helper?

Definitely. Feel free to add a tbsp or so of butter to make the noodles and cheese extra creamy.

What is a ground beef substitute?

The ground beef in this recipe can be substituted with ground chicken, ground turkey, or any vegetarian ground meat substitute. Healthy turkey hamburger helper sounds quite delicious!

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

Loved this hamburger helper? You may be interested in one of these recipes next!

• Healthy Beef and Broccoli Recipe
• Broccoli Sausage Pasta Bake
• Italian Wedding Soup Recipe
• Stove Top Beef Stew Recipe

All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn

If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!

Erin Antoniak

Healthy Hamburger Helper

5 from 27 votes

Give the classic childhood favorite an upgrade with this Healthy Hamburger Helper recipe. Loaded with veggies, spices, and cheese, this nutrient-packed recipe is one that the entire family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 10 1 cup servings

Course: dinner, Main Course, meal-prep

Cuisine: American

Calories: 386

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 1/2 red pepper diced
• 1/2 green pepper diced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb dry elbow noodles
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup water
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1.5 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 1.5 cups lite cheddar cheese
• 1 6 oz bag spinach

Method

 

1. In a dutch oven or large pot, heat oil. Add onion and peppers and saute for about 5 minutes oruntil soft.
2.  Add in ground beef and stir until fully cooked. If necessary, drain excess fat.
3. Pour in the dry pasta, beef broth, water, tomato sauce, and all spices. Put a lid on and cook for 10-15 minutes or until almost all liquid is gone, stirring every few minutes.
4.  Once liquid is absorbed, stir in Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese. Then add in spinach. The spinach may take a few minutes to wilt, but once it does, stir it into the noodles. Serve into bowls.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 23gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 958mgPotassium: 603mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2182IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 3mg

Notes

• Don’t Pre-Cook the Pasta: Add the dry elbow noodles directly to the pot with the broth, water, and tomato sauce. They cook right in the liquid and absorb all of those delicious flavors as they soften, which is what makes this dish taste so good.
• Drain Excess Fat After Browning the Beef: Once the ground beef is fully cooked, drain any excess fat before adding the remaining ingredients. This keeps the dish from getting greasy and lets all of those spices and veggies shine.
• Add the Spinach Last: Stir in the spinach after the Greek yogurt and cheese are already mixed in so it wilts down perfectly from the residual heat in just a couple of minutes without getting overcooked or slimy.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!