Easy Healthier Hamburger Helper

Skip the box and make this easy healthier hamburger helper! Made with simple ingredients, kid-friendly, and way better than anything you’ll ever get at the store.

With a few simple tweaks, this recipe sneaks in some hidden veggies and protein for a healthy meal the whole crew will love. Plus it’s made all in the same pan! So quick and easy. Here’s everything you’ll need and how to make it.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

• Large pan with lid
• Meat chopper optional
• Food processor optional

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: I use 93/7.
• Yellow onion
• White mushrooms: Wait, don’t leave! They’re completely undetectable (very finely minced) and add a delicious umami flavor that complements the beef.
• Seasonings: Chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, pepper.
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste
• Sugar: Just a tiny bit mimics that boxed flavor.
• Beef bone broth: An easy swap to boost protein and collagen. I love Fire & Kettle.
• Fat free milk: Or milk of choice.
• Pasta: Any shape – I love classic macaroni.
• Cheddar cheese
• Yellow mustard

How To Make It

1. Cook the beef: Heat a large deep pan on medium high and add beef, onion, and mushrooms. Fully cook beef, breaking apart in to small pieces.
2. Flavor makers: Add spices, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, and sugar, stirring to evenly coat the beef.
3. Cook the pasta: Add bone broth and milk, bringing to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium low, stir in the pasta, cover with lid and cook according to package instructions.
4. Add the rest: Sprinkle in the cheddar cheese and add mustard, stirring until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth (it will set up nicely as it cools down). Enjoy!

Tips

• Mushrooms: For quick, ultra-finely minced mushrooms, briefly pulse in a food processor.
• Cheese: Fresh grated will melt down the best!
• Make it cheesier: Add an extra 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.

To Store

Once cooled, store leftover homemade hamburger helper in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

More One Pan Wonders

• One pan orange chicken stir fry
• One pan marry me chicken and gnocchi
• One pan cottage cheese alfredo
• One pan garlic parmesan pasta
• One pan lemon pepper chicken orzo
• One pan white tuscan turkey orzo
• One pan lower carb taco rice

Lastly, be sure to leave a rating and review down below if you make this easy healthier hamburger helper! And don’t forget to tag me on all the socials – always love to hear from you guys and see what you’re making. ♡ Enjoy!

Easy Healthier Hamburger Helper

5 from 5 votes

This easy healthier hamburger helper is made with simple ingredients, kid-friendly, and way better than anything you'll ever get at the store.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6

Calories: 355kcal

Equipment

• Large pan with lid
• Food processor optional, to quickly mince mushrooms
• Meat chopper optional

Ingredients

• 1 lb 93/7 lean ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion (200 g) chopped
• 1/2 cup white mushrooms (70 g) very finely minced (measured after mincing)
• 1 tsp each: chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt
• 1/2 tsp each: dried oregano, pepper
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (5 g)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (33 g)
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar (2 g)
• 2 cups beef bone broth (480 ml)
• 1 cup fat free milk (240 ml) or milk of choice
• 8 oz pasta any shape
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (84 g) freshly grated
• 1 tsp yellow mustard (5 g)

Instructions

• Heat a large deep pan on medium high and add beef, onion, and mushrooms. Fully cook beef, breaking apart into small pieces.
• Add seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, sugar, and stir to evenly coat the beef.
• Pour in the bone broth and milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium low, add pasta, cover with lid and cook according to package instructions.
• Add the cheese and mustard, stirring until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth (will set up nicely after cooling down). Enjoy!

Notes

• For quick, ultra-finely minced mushrooms, briefly pulse in a food processor.
• If you like it cheesier, add an extra 1/2 cup cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 241g | Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.4g | Protein: 29.1g | Fat: 10.7g | Fiber: 3.3g

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