Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (2024)

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There’s NO mystery here folks! 6 REAL ingredients, 1 delicious family favorite.

Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (1)I know you can all picture the box…with that cute little white glove waving at you. Ah yes, Hamburger Helper. It’s one of those quick meals I know many of you have turned to.

WHY? Because it’s super easy and tastes good. But have you looked at the side of that box? I think there are about 20 mysteryingredients. YIKES!

Ladies and gentlemen, this recipe only has 6 ingredients, and I bet you have most of them already in your kitchen! Score! There’s no mystery here!

Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe

  1. 1. Start by cooking noodles according to the package directions. Meanwhile cook beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet until brown. Drain off access liquid.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Drain noodles and stir into beef mixture.Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (2)

The whole family LOVED this meal. I made a second batch for Darryl using the vegetarian crumble.Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (3)

Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (4)

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Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (5)

4.84 from 6 votes

Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe

There's NO mystery here folks! 6 REAL ingredients, 1 delicious family favorite recipe with this Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe!

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Ingredients

  • Here is what you need: Severs 4-6
  • 1 lb of ground beef, to make this vegetarian friendly, use veggie crumble such as Morningstar Farms
  • 5 cups of egg noodles
  • 1 small can, 6oz tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup of chopped onion
  • 2-3 cloves of minced garlic
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 and 1/4 cup of water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • optional shredded cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Start by cooking noodles according to the package directions. Meanwhile cook beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet until brown. Drain off access liquid.

  • Stir in the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes.

  • Drain noodles and stir into beef mixture.

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Course:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Keyword:Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe

Did you make this recipe?Tag me on Instagram at @familyfreshmeals or leave me a below.

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16 Comments

  1. Amanda H. says

    Found this on Pinterest! Looks great and super easy. Can’t wait to make it. Thanks!

    Reply

  2. Amanda says

    Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (8)
    This was great! My husband and son DEVOURED it and my pickier daughters even liked it! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Corey says

      That is awesome Amanda! I am so glad everyone like it! It is the best to hear when picky eaters love it. hehe XO

      Reply

  3. kampmm says

    Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (9)
    Corey – I tried this tonight. So easy AND delicious. Why wouldn’t you want simple, healthy ingredients versus a box?! My only variation was I used a basil, oregano, garlic tomato paste (which I picked up by accident) – delish! Looking forward to trying some of your other recipes. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • Corey says

      Yay! I am so glad you loved it 🙂

      Reply

  4. LuAnn says

    I cannot wait to try this simple and delicious looking dish!

    Reply

  5. kacey says

    This was so easy and taste great!!my 3 year old daughter loved it!

    Reply

  6. Ann says

    Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (10)
    This is so good! I make it regularly.

    Reply

  7. Megan says

    Hi Corey! I love your website and your recipes! I was wondering if you had any suggestions to sweeten it up a bit (besides reducing the amount of chili powder?) Thanks!

    Reply

    • Corey says

      You could always add in some sugar or even honey 🙂

      Reply

  8. Shena says

    5 cups noodles is this before or after cooking?
    How many ounces of dry noodles?

    Reply

    • Corey says

      Egg noodles do not expand much with cooking, it is 5 cups dry, but it will be about 5 cups cooked as well. I hope that helps!

      Reply

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Homemade Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to Hamburger Helper to make it better? ›

Here are some recommended swaps and add-ins you can try: Add a boost of veggies: feel free to throw in shredded zucchini, sauteed chopped red bell pepper, or mushrooms or a few cups of chopped spinach! My kids usually never know that it's in there. Spice it up: if you'd like you can add some red pepper flakes on top.

What spices to add to Hamburger Helper? ›

I like the added flavor. Add diced garlic and mix everything together until well combined. Don't overwork the beef to keep it tender but do break it down as you stir to combine. Add dry seasonings; Italian seasoning, Lawry's season salt, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, chili flakes, and a dash of dry mustard.

What can you substitute for ground beef in Hamburger Helper? ›

Ground beef gives this dish that classic Hamburger Helper flavor and adds lots of protein to your dinner. You can use ground turkey or ground chicken instead if you prefer. Whole Wheat Pasta. Whole wheat pasta adds nutritional value to the dish and it holds up well during cooking.

How to make a hamburger in 5 steps? ›

5 Steps To a Perfect Burger
  1. Prepare the workspace. Preheat your pan on medium-high and cut ground beef in to 1/4 to 1/3 lb golf ball sized chunks. ...
  2. Get smashing. Drop the meat in the pan, squash and hold for 5 seconds. ...
  3. Flip and cheese. ...
  4. Ready the bun. ...
  5. Assemble your smashed burger creation and dig in.

What are the ingredients in Hamburger Helper? ›

ENRICHED MACARONI (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, FERROUS SULFATE, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MODIFIED WHEY, CORN STARCH, SALT, WHEAT FLOUR, SUGAR, CHEDDAR CHEESE* (MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), PALM OIL, CITRIC ACID, VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER OIL), ONION*, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR ...

What makes Hamburger Helper unhealthy? ›

Hamburger Helper contains a ridiculous amount of sodium

As quick and easy of a meal solution that Hamburger Helper is, it does make you wonder what exactly is in that box.

What does milk do in Hamburger Helper? ›

Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water.

Can I use milk instead of water for Hamburger Helper? ›

Absolutely. Since milk adds a creamy texture to the Hamburger Helper sauce, it or its substitutes are recommended as a major ingredient to flavorful Hamburger Helper meals. For best results, choose plant milk or a milk substitute that is sweet or savory, depending on the meal type.

What can I put in Hamburger Helper instead of milk? ›

Depending on the type of Hamburger Helper, you can use any other liquid, such as almond milk, coconut milk, chicken stock or beef stock.

Can you add butter to Hamburger Helper? ›

Cooking Instructions

STIR – Stir in hot water, milk, butter, Sauce Mix and Pasta. Heat to boiling. SIMMER – Reduce heat. Cover; simmer 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Can you add mayo to Hamburger Helper? ›

If necessary, uncover and cook, while stirring, an additional 1 to 3 minutes to desired consistency. ADD – Remove from heat. Stir in mayonnaise. *Use the desired amount of mayonnaise or omit it.

Can I use butter instead of milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Make sure to use the unsweetened and unflavored version [2]. Butter: Butter can be used as a substitute for milk to make the sauce rich and creamy. It adds a delicious flavor to the dish [2].

What is similar to Hamburger Helper? ›

HAMBURGER HELPER LIKE/FANCY
  • Easy One-Pot Goulash. Tracy Radatz. ...
  • 10 Easy Goulash Recipes. Tracy Radatz. ...
  • Beat the Clock Goulash. ...
  • Cheeseburger Macaroni. ...
  • Saucy Ground Beef and Noodles. ...
  • Zucchini and Ground Beef Orzo Casserole. ...
  • Cheesy Cream Cheese Hamburger Pasta Casserole. ...
  • Hashbrown Hamburger Casserole with Veggies and Cheese Recipe.

Do you use water or milk for Hamburger Helper? ›

Since milk adds a creamy texture to the Hamburger Helper sauce, it or its substitutes are recommended as a major ingredient to flavorful Hamburger Helper meals. For best results, choose plant milk or a milk substitute that is sweet or savory, depending on the meal type.

How much water and milk do you use for 2 Hamburger Helper? ›

Add 2 1/4 cups of milk and 2 2/3 cups of hot water to the pan, along with the pasta and seasoning mix from the Hamburger Helper package. Stir everything well and bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10-20 minutes.

Do you use water and milk in Hamburger Helper? ›

Brown hamburger meat in 10-inch skillet; drain. Stir in hot water, milk, Sauce Mix and uncooked Pasta. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.

Do you need milk and water for Hamburger Helper? ›

Milk adds a creamy texure and lends its flavor to the sauce in Hamburger Helper. You may not enjoy the results made with only water.

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