Upgrade the classic childhood favorite with this Healthy Hamburger Helper recipe. Loaded with veggies, spices, and cheese, it comes together in one pot in about 30 minutes. The flavor is just as rich and cheesy as the boxed version you grew up on, and it's the kind of meal that'll make everyone at the table happy. Go the extra mile and make these Healthy Cake Pops for dessert!
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Easy, Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper
If you've seen my Oatmeal Cream Pies or Hot Honey Cornflake Chicken Nuggets, you know I love a good homemade throwback. So obviously, Hamburger Helper was gonna make the list. It was always a good day when we knew the cheesy meal was on the dinner ticket!
This healthy Hamburger Helper is sure to rival (if not surpass) the real deal. It 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.
And to make things even better, you can make this all in one pot, which means fewer dishes and more time to kick back after dinner!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, cheesy flavor in every bite, just like the boxed version you grew up on
- Comes together in one pot in about 30 minutes, with little cleanup
- Loaded with veggies and protein, so it's just as nourishing as it is nostalgic
- Easy to customize with different proteins, pasta, or extra veggies you have on hand
- Great for meal prep, since it reheats well and makes plenty for the week
Erin's Expert Tips (Before You Start)
- Go crazy on the veggies! This recipe uses onion, red and green bell pepper, and spinach, but you can also add jalapeños, shredded zucchini, mushrooms... the list goes on.
- Don't pre-cook the pasta. Unlike other pasta recipes like my Penne Alla Vodka With Chicken, you'll want to dry elbow noodles directly into 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. This keeps the dish from getting greasy and lets the spices and veggies shine.
Ingredients You'll Need for Healthy Hamburger Helper
Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into this healthy hamburger helper:
- Vegetables: I use spinach, onion, and two kinds of bell peppers to bring in extra nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, fiber, iron, magnesium, and more.
- Beef: You can use lean ground beef as we did, or use ground turkey, ground chicken, or any vegetarian ground meat substitute.
- Noodles: No 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, broth adds more flavor to the recipe. You can use chicken broth if preferred.
- Tomato sauce: This helps the classic Hamburger Helper flavor take shape.
- Spices: I seasoned this recipe with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. You're welcome to add extra spices and herbs if you'd like.
- Greek yogurt: To thicken up the recipe. This adds so much protein!
- Cheese: I use light cheddar over regular to make the dish a bit healthier.
- Spinach: Gotta get those greens in!
How to make healthy Hamburger Helper
Start by sautéing the onion and peppers in oil until softened, then add your ground beef and cook until browned, draining any excess fat if needed. Next, pour in the dry pasta, beef broth, water, tomato sauce, and spices, then cover and let everything cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring every few minutes so nothing sticks to the bottom.
Once the pasta has soaked up the liquid, stir in the Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Add the spinach and let it wilt into the dish before stirring everything together and serving warm.
- Step 1: Sauté onions and peppers. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Add the onion and peppers and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until soft.
- Step 2: Cook the ground beef. Add in your ground beef and stir until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.
- Step 3: Add the pasta, liquid, and spices. Next, pour in the dry pasta, beef broth, water, tomato sauce, and all of the spices.
- Step 4: Cook down the liquid. Put a lid on and cook for 10-15 minutes or until almost all liquid is gone, stirring every few minutes.
- Step 5: Once the liquid is absorbed, stir in the Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese. Then add in the spinach. The spinach may take a few minutes to wilt, but once it does, stir it into the noodles.
- Step 6: Cool and serve. Allow the Hamburger Helper to cool for at least 5 minutes so the cheese congeals. Serve it into bowls and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about this healthy Hamburger Helper. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
This usually just means it needs a little more time, so pop the lid back on and let it cook a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. If the liquid is gone but the pasta is still firm, you can always add a splash more broth or water and keep cooking until it's fully tender.
Yes, this is one of my go-to easy make-ahead freezer meals! It reheats really well throughout the week, and I love that it makes such a big batch since it means less cooking on busier days.
For sure! This recipe doubles really well if you want extra for the week or are feeding a bigger crowd. Just make sure you're using a pot large enough to hold everything, and you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cook time so the pasta has enough time to absorb all that liquid.
Storing leftovers
Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container, store in the refrigerator, and enjoy 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.
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!
Healthy Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
Method
- In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil. Add onion and peppers and saute for about 5 minutes or until soft.
- Add in ground beef and stir until fully cooked. If necessary, drain excess fat.
- 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.
- 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
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?
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All recipes by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Sierra Inn
Bethanie says
What is the serving size? It says 10 servings- is that for 1 cup? Thank you for the great recipe!
Erin says
Hi Bethanie, yes - 1 cup is the serving size. I'll update! 🙂
Mel says
Great healthy, satisfying dish!
Erin says
Hi Mel, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Kelsey says
So easy to make! And so tasty!! It’s extra satisfying with all the veggies in it too! 🙂
Erin says
Hi Kelsey, so happy you enjoyed it!!
Vanessa says
This was unreal! I had leftover ground beef to use up, so cooked the macaroni separately. I then combined the beef, pasta, spices and sautéed veggies with the Greek yogurt and cheese and it taste so good!
Erin says
Hi Vanessa, so happy you loved it!! 🙂
Deb McM. says
5 Stars!! One of our favs!! ! Of our favs! I substitute the beef with ground turkey and chicken broth. Also use gluten free pasta (TJ’s Brown Rice and Quinoa pasta.) SOOOO DELISH!!
Erin says
Hi Deb, so happy you loved it and made it your own!! 🙂
jeanette says
Loved this. This is now in our meal rotation! So easy in the Dutch oven and love knowing what's going into my food.
Erin says
Hi Jeanette, so happy you loved it!!
Alexia says
So easy and delicious and I love that it only uses one pot. My boyfriend said it should be in a restaurant! Will definitely make again.
Erin says
Hi Alexia, so happy you both liked it!!
Julie S says
So yummy and supper easy! I dont have a dutch oven so I just baked it to cook the pasta!
Erin says
Hi Julie, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Maddy Donohue says
A very underrated but incredible recipe! So easy to make and I love that’s it’s a cleaner, healthier version of a classic millennial staple. Thanks, Erin!
Erin says
Hi Maddy, so happy you loved it so much!! 🙂
Julie says
This was absolutely amazing and so easy! One of my least favorite parts about many recipes is having to dirty many bowls, pots, and pans. This required a cutting board and one pot/ skillet to cook everything! And wow the taste did not disappoint!
Erin says
Hi Julie, so happy you loved it and the how few dishes you had to do after!!
Nikki says
I could not wait to try this recipe, easy and delicious! I used gluten free noodles, it took a few times to get the texture right but it was devoured no matter what. My son, who is a very picky eater, now eats spinach. My boys 11yrs and 13yrs request this once a week. Thanks Erin!!
Erin says
Hi Nikki, so happy everyone loved it so much! 🙂
Kerry says
I made exactly as shown, though I halved it since it was for two people (but enough for leftovers!). This was delicious!! Another home run recipe Erin!
Erin says
Hi Kerry, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Theresa Lepeska says
Loved this recipe!
Erin says
Hi Theresa, so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Casey says
So easy and delicious! Will definitely be a new dinner/meal prep added to our rotation!
Erin says
Hi Casey, so glad you loved it! 🙂
Megan says
Quick, easy and delicious! A healthy twist on a meal my mom made all the time! Will absolutely be making regularly.
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved it so much!
Kate says
Delicious and easy! My liquid never fully absorbed, but I was also using only 12 oz of GF pasta. Regardless, it was still excellent; I just used less greek yogurt. Hubby and one year old loved it! It will be a staple for us, no doubt.
Erin says
Hi Kate, so glad everyone likes it, I'd add more pasta to have a full pound or just add a little less liquid next time! 🙂
Anne-Marie McD says
Excellent! Tried this wonderful and easy cozy meal on this cool day. (Tasted delicious even before adding the yogurt and sour cream.) Just the right blend and proportion of flavors and spice! Easy to have ingredients on hand to toss together for a crowd pleaser when cheering on March Madness! Thanks Erin!
Erin says
Hi Anne-Marie, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂
Katie H says
I found it took longer than the recipe described for the liquid to fully absorb so keep that in mind, but it was soooo good and made a ton! Awesome meal prep idea for busy moms
Erin says
Hi Katie, so glad you liked it!
Emily says
My husband and I can’t stop craving this meal! It’s become a staple in our dinner rotation. So easy to make, even easier to clean up, and delicious. I use beef bone broth to give it even more protein. 10/10 another ELW winner!!
Erin says
Hi Emily, so happy you both enjoyed it! 🙂
Ciara says
I made this as soon as Erin posted it on her Instagram. It was incredible. Nostalgic Hamburger Helper flavors were spot on! Husband and I absolutely loved it and this will for sure have a place in our dinner rotations.
Erin says
Hi Ciara, so happy you both enjoyed it!! 🙂