Gluten-Free Homemade Hamburger Helper

A healthier classic Hamburger Helper with a depth of flavour and nutritious veggies. This easy one-pot gluten-free pasta dinner is made with ground beef, shredded carrots, zucchini, cheddar cheese, sour cream, spices and gluten-free pasta.

Remember the boxed version? This recipe is a healthier and more delicious option made entirely from scratch in under 30 minutes using only one pot.

classic hamburger helper but healthier

Nothing beats a meal made from scratch. Lean ground beef and fresh veggies cooked in a rich meaty sauce, with gluten-free pasta and classic hamburger helper seasoning. So much goodness in a simple 30-minute one-pot ground beef recipe.

Why is this hamburger helper dinner better?

Firstly, you will need only one pot. So the recipe is simple. The added grated carrots and zucchini add healthiness, moisture and flavour, The best part, you can’t tell the hamburger helper is made with veggies. So, even the pickiest eaters will love this healthier version. And you control the seasoning and salt: no additives, colours or excessive sodium.

easiest ground beef recipe, here are the details

Start with a big pot. I love this one. It is a perfect size and pretty so that you can serve the classic hamburger helper dinner straight from the stove to the table. Easy cleanup 🙂

To start, brown the ground beef with onions, which is pretty standard. Next, add the seasoning, ketchup, mustard, zucchini and carrots with some water. Simmer everything for about 15 minutes.

Cooking the sauce first adds depth of flavour and softens the beef and veggies.

Now that the sauce is rich and flavourful, add the pasta. I used gluten-free penne, but you can use any short cut gluten-free pasta. The reason I used penne is that this is a tube-like pasta, and the sauce fills the inside, so every bite is rich and meaty, not just coated with the sauce. 

beef broth is not needed for this hamburger helper recipe

You may have noticed I have not added beef broth to this hamburger helper recipe. The reason for this is, by simmering the beef and veggies first, the beef flavour is intense enough that you do not need to add the broth—another saving for this budget-friendly ground beef recipe.

the secret is not to overcook the gluten-free pasta

The pasta is cooked briefly. You don’t want to overcook the pasta, or it will become mushy and the dish will become dry. The penne should be al-dente, cooked but firm to bite. Don’t worry; the pasta continues cooking even after you stop cooking it.

At the very end, stir in some sour cream for added creaminess, and cheddar cheese. YUM, so so good! I haven’t met anyone yet that didn’t enjoy this childhood classic hamburger helper.

A Healthier ground beef pasta dinner kids love!

What got me excited when I started creating this gluten-free version of the classic hamburger helper recipe is that I could include veggies that are not visible to those picky eaters. You can shred the veggies, or if you have super fussy younger children, grate them. The veggies will be invisible.

difference between shredding and grating

Shredding will form small strands visible to the eye, and some picky eaters may object. Grating reduces the food to tiny fragments making the veggies pretty much invisible. 

When making gluten-free carrot muffins, I like to grate the carrots because they add moisture to the muffin, and kids will eat them if they can’t spot the carrots…lol.

One of my most visited pages on my site is the gluten-free one-pot casserole dishes. So, check them out. If this ground beef pasta dish isn’t for you, I am sure you will find something tasty and simple to make.

This gluten-free hamburger helper is a cozy cold-weather dinner made from scratch in under 30 minutes. It is an excellent pasta recipe to add to easy family dinners because it’s comfort food that the entire family will enjoy. 

Besides the flavour, the best part about this gluten-free ground beef recipe is, that this is a budget-friendly pasta dinner. Enjoy!

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Many thanks!

Kristina xx