There's a lot to love about Crock Pot Hamburger Helper, including the hearty cheeseburger flavors and budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It's the perfect hearty meal to make weeknight dinner less stressful!
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Hamburger Helper is a meal known for its simplicity, and this crock pot version makes it easier than ever. It is one of my favorite crock pot ground beef recipes! Classic seasonings, perfectly cooked pasta, and creamy, gooey cheese will make this a new dinnertime favorite at your house.
Looking for other weeknight comfort food meals? Try our Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie or Crock Pot Rotel Pasta.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Satisfying and protein-rich: Hamburger helper in the crock pot is great for feeding the whole family with ease after a busy day!
- A fresh take on a nostalgic classic: With real ingredients, this version is way more flavorful and healthy than the boxed kind-and you only need one pan to pull it off.
- Customize it however you like: Use different meat options, veggie add-ins, and spices to mix it up in your weeknight dinner rotation.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef: Ground beef gives you the classic, hearty flavor of homemade hamburger helper, but you can easily swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, or even go with plant-based crumbles.
- Onion and Minced Garlic: These aromatic ingredients pack a flavorful punch, but if you're not a fan, you could leave them out or replace the onions with shallots for a milder taste.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds a touch of sweetness and a pop of color, balancing out the richness of the other ingredients. If you wanted more heat, you could include diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes, too.
- Seasonings: Paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper bring that timeless flavor to this dish.
- Canned Diced Tomatoes, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and Low Sodium Beef Broth: These three make shopping easy and quick and bring lots of flavor to the dish. You could swap other creamy soups like cream of chicken or cream of celery. You could also make a homemade roux-based creamy sauce with butter, flour, and milk or broth.
- Macaroni: Elbow pasta is the perfect shape and size for this slow cooker hamburger helper recipe.
- Cheddar Cheese: Brings that irresistible gooey, cheesy goodness that makes Hamburger Helper so indulgent and satisfying. You can swap Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a combination of multiple cheeses if you want.
Variations
- Change the Veggies: Spinach or kale work great for some color and to boost the nutritional value.
- Go Gluten-Free: If you're gluten-sensitive, swap the regular macaroni for gluten-free macaroni. Be sure to check that your cream of mushroom soup and beef broth are also gluten-free.
- Add More Flavor: Crisp up some bacon and crumble it on top just before serving or use ground sausage instead of beef.
- Make It Spicy: Stir in some diced jalapenos or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Tex-Mex Twist: Add a can of drained black beans, diced green chilies, and a handful of chopped cilantro.
How To Make Hamburger Helper In The Crock Pot
- Step 1: Cook the ground beef. Brown the ground beef in a skillet until it's fully cooked. Drain and add it to the crock pot.
- Step 2: Add the spices, veggies, soup, and broth. Stir to combine, then start the slow cooker.
- Step 3: Stir in the macaroni. Add it to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Step 4: Add the cheese. Stir until combined and then serve hot.
Recipe Tips
- Cook the beef ahead of time: Want to spend less time on prep? Brown the ground beef ahead of time, freeze it, then thaw when you need it.
- Enhance the flavor: Sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the crock pot to make the dish even more delicious.
- Be mindful of opening the crock pot lid: It's okay to stir occasionally in the first half of cooking in the crock pot, but don't lift the lid while the macaroni is cooking.
- Add color and flavor: Sprinkle some fresh parsley or chives over the finished dish for a pop of color and a touch of freshness.
Storing & Reheating
- Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge, or up to 2-3 months in the freezer. Note that freezing the dish will change the texture a bit.
- Reheating: If the leftovers are clumpy, you can add a few tablespoons of water or milk and stir in before microwaving. If reheating from frozen, let thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then heat using the microwave or stovetop.
Serving Suggestions
- Set up a topping bar with options like diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, or hot sauce. Let everyone customize their serving.
- Serve with a simple side salad, Crock Pot Green Beans, or some fresh cooked peas.
- Make a batch of Slow Cooker Focaccia or your favorite bread to go along with the crock pot hamburger helper and soak up every last bit.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use different noodles?
Cavatappi, bowtie, and egg noodles are all great options if you want to swap out the elbow macaroni. You can even use gluten-free pasta but just be aware it generally has a shorter cook time so adjust as needed.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just skip the ground meat and mix in a can of chickpeas, black beans, or your favorite plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian version.
More Delicious Crock Pot Dinner Recipes
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Crock Pot Hamburger Helper
This Crock Pot Hamburger Helper is a breeze to make. After browning the ground beef, just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic, adding the pasta at the end. The result is a rich, creamy, and satisfying dish that brings all the nostalgia of a childhood classic- now with more wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onion (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 3 tsp garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 lb macaroni (un-cooked)
- 3 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the hamburger until it is fully cooked. Drain off excess fat and add to the crock pot.
- add onion, bell pepper, salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, mushroom soup and beef broth.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-7 hours or high for 2½-3½.
- Thirty minutes before cooking time is finished, add macaroni pasta and stir into the mixture. Cover and cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
- When the pasta is done cooking, add in cheddar cheese and stir until well combined.
- Serve while hot. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cook the beef ahead of time: Want to spend less time on prep? Brown the ground beef ahead of time, freeze it, then thaw when you need it.
- Enhance the flavor: Sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the crock pot to make the dish even more delicious.
- Be mindful of opening the crock pot lid: It's okay to stir occasionally in the first half of cooking in the crock pot, but don't lift the lid while the macaroni is cooking.
- Add color and flavor: Sprinkle some fresh parsley or chives over the finished dish for a pop of color and a touch of freshness.
Nutrition
Calories: 715kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 40gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 939mgPotassium: 766mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 916IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 346mgIron: 4mg
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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