Description
This Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper recipe is a comforting and easy one-pot meal that combines lean ground beef, vegetables, and macaroni, cooked slowly to develop rich flavors. It’s perfect for busy days and can be customized with different seasonings and vegetables to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion (diced)
- 1½ cups low sodium beef broth (plus additional if needed)
- 1½ cups milk (any kind)
- 1½ cups tomato pasta sauce
- 1 bell pepper (diced), red preferred
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more for spice)
- 3 cups dry uncooked macaroni (350-380 grams)
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef and Onion: In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is browned and the onion becomes translucent. Drain excess fat if necessary, then transfer the mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: To the slow cooker, add low sodium beef broth, milk, tomato pasta sauce, diced bell pepper, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir all ingredients to combine thoroughly. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to soften.
- Add Macaroni: About 15 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the dry macaroni. Check the pasta after 15 minutes and continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes as needed until it reaches an al dente texture. If the pasta is not fully cooked and liquid is mostly absorbed, add ½ to 1 cup of extra broth or milk to help cook the pasta properly.
- Finish with Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese and cover the slow cooker for 2-3 minutes if needed to melt the cheese evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot.
Notes
- Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on exact serving sizes and ingredient brands.
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option, or drain fat after cooking. Ground Italian sausage or other ground meats can be substituted.
- You can omit the onion or bell pepper or replace them with shredded carrot, zucchini, or finely chopped spinach for added nutrition.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference; increase red pepper flakes for extra heat or add hot sauce if desired.
- Milk types can vary; whole, skim, or plant-based milks can be used but cream or half and half may make the dish too thick and affect pasta cooking.
- Use marinara or any flavorful tomato pasta sauce to enhance taste.
- Other pasta shapes can be used if the cooking time and weight are similar to macaroni.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
