Easiest Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
This healthy homemade hamburger helper recipe is a nourishing twist on a childhood favorite, perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick, hearty, and satisfying. Unlike the boxed stuff, this homemade version uses real, simple ingredients that are both satisfying and healthy. Made with lean ground beef, organic pasta, and a flavorful tomato-based sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite—even the picky eaters will be asking for seconds!
Don’t Miss These Dinner Favorites
- Simple Homemade Shepherd’s Pie – A hearty dish made with layers of savory ground meat, veggies, and fluffy mashed potatoes. Perfect for those nights when you’re craving something warm and comforting.
- Quick & Healthy Chicken Stir Fry – This stir fry comes together in just 30 minutes and is packed with colorful veggies and lean protein. Ideal for a healthy, weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
- The Best No-Fuss Butter Chicken – Enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of butter chicken without spending hours in the kitchen. This recipe simplifies the process, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
- Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Let your slow cooker do the work with this beef stew, featuring tender chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a savory broth. It’s the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings.
- Easy Creamy Carrot Soup (Dairy-Free!) – This dairy-free creamy carrot soup is perfect for a light, healthy dinner or a warming lunch. Serve it with a crusty sourdough bread for a complete meal.
- Best Pot Roast Recipe with Savory Japanese Sweet Potatoes –Elevate your classic pot roast with the addition of sweet and earthy Japanese sweet potatoes. This dish is a perfect balance of flavors, making it a dinner winner!
Why This Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe Will Become a Family Favorite
This healthy homemade hamburger helper recipe is packed with flavor, and comes together quickly. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a meal prep option to keep leftovers in the freezer, or something that pleases the whole family, this recipe has you covered. The best part is how easy it is to customize the meal with your choice of pasta and extra veggies like green beans or peas. Plus, it’s a great way to revisit a childhood favorite without all the additives found in the boxed version.
Ingredients You Need and Why
- Onion – Provides a savory base flavor to really enhance the dish.
- Garlic – Garlic’s natural savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic qualities give this dish a more robust and satisfying taste.
- Lean Ground Beef – Ideally grass-fed. Grass-fed beef is richer in nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to various health benefits, including improved metabolism. Additionally, grass-fed beef is often more flavorful, offering a robust, slightly earthy taste that enhances the overall richness of the dish.
- Tomato Paste – Using tomato paste rather than ketchup provides concentrated tomato flavor that thickens the sauce and adds richness without the added sugars and preservatives often found in ketchup.
- Mustard – Adds a tangy kick to balance the sweetness of the tomato paste.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Brings a savory, slightly smoky quality that perfectly ties the dish together.
- Paprika (Optional) – Adds a subtle smoky flavor. Or use chili powder if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Organic Pasta – Adds heartiness and texture to this childhood classic. Use your preferred type, such as whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, gluten-free pasta, or egg noodles.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Boil the dry pasta in a large pot according to the package directions until al dente.
While your noodles are boiling, in a large Dutch oven or large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until browned.
- In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Add sea salt and paprika (if using), and stir until the sauce is smooth.
Pour the sauce mixture into the pot with the ground beef and stir well to coat the meat. Cook for a couple of minutes to let the flavors meld.
Add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture and give it a good stir to coat the noodles in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with black pepper or more salt if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese if desired. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal!
Hint: For extra flavor, add a splash of beef broth or chicken broth to the sauce while cooking.
Substitutions
- Ground Meat – If you prefer a leaner meat option, you can substitute the ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey. Using ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef will change the flavor of your healthy homemade hamburger helper, but not drastically. In contrast to beef, ground chicken and turkey have a milder, slightly more delicate flavor. This means that the seasoning and other ingredients, like the tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, will stand out more when using chicken or turkey.
- Onion – If your kids aren’t keen on the texture of onions, replace the diced onions with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of onion powder. This will still give you the savory onion flavor without the pieces that picky eaters might try to avoid.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic can be replaced with garlic powder in a pinch. Use about 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder for every clove of garlic called for in the recipe.
- Pasta – Feel free to use any type of pasta you have on hand. Whole wheat pasta and chickpea pasta add extra fiber to the dish, while egg noodles can give the dish a richer, more traditional taste.
Variations
- Spicy Hamburger Helper – For a kick of heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder or serve topped with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy Hamburger Helper – Stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese or a blend of your favorite cheeses just before serving. This will create a creamy, cheesy sauce that makes the dish extra rich and satisfying.
- Vegetable-Packed Hamburger Helper – Incorporate extra veggies like green beans, or peas. You can add them when you cook the beef or stir them in with the pasta at the end.
- Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper – Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Be sure to check the labels on all other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free as well.
Equipment
- Large Dutch Oven or Large Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Large pot for boiling the pasta
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container, labeled with the date and contents. Reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Top Tip
To make future meals even easier, consider making a large batch of the sauce and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Tomato paste can stay fresh in the fridge for about 5-7 days once opened. By preparing extra sauce now, you can whip up another batch of healthy homemade hamburger helper later in the week without having to open a new can of tomato paste. This way, you avoid wasting any leftover tomato paste and save time on meal prep for your next busy night! Simply add 1 teaspoon each of mustard and Worcestershire sauce for every 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
FAQ
Try adding extra veggies like green beans, peas, or spinach. Just toss them in with the beef and onions to cook before adding the sauce.
Yes, this recipe is versatile and works well with whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta, or even egg noodles. Just adjust the cooking time according to the type of pasta you choose.
Yes, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this an easy recipe to adapt.
More Holistic House Recipes
Easiest Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
Equipment
- Large Dutch Oven or Large Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Large pot to boil pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced or 1/2 a medium onion
- 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lbs lean ground beef
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups organic pasta
- 1/2 tsp paprika optional
Instructions
- Boil the dry pasta in a large pot according to the package directions until al dente.
- In a large Dutch oven or large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until browned.
- In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Add sea salt and paprika (if using), and stir until the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the pot with the ground beef and stir well to coat the meat. Cook for a couple of minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture and give it a good stir to coat the noodles in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with black pepper or more salt if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese if desired. Pair with a side salad for a complete meal!
Notes
- For added flavor, add a splash of beef broth or chicken broth to the sauce while cooking.
- If your kids aren’t keen on the texture of onions, replace the diced onions with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of onion powder. This will still give you the savory onion flavor without the pieces that picky eaters might try to avoid.
