Homemade Hamburger Helper
Homemade Hamburger Helper is easy to make and boasts big flavor! Elbow noodles are combined with lean ground beef, veggies, seasoning and tomato soup to make a surprisingly healthy Hamburger Helper recipe. We’ve made this dish countless times and everyone in my family raves about it!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (1/2 box) elbow noodles or another short pasta, use gluten free as needed
- 1 green or red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cans Campbell's healthy request tomato soup or 1 box of organic tomato soup
- 1 cup regular or light shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the noodles according to package directions in salted water. I recommend cooking noodles only until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite) because you will be baking this dish in the oven.
- While noodles are cooking, heat a large skillet with about 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion to the skillet and cook until soft.
- Add the ground beef (or turkey) in with the bell pepper and onion and cook until no longer pink. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper and stir well to combine.
- Add cooked elbow noodles to meat with soup, 1/2 can of water and cheese and stir well to combine.
- Transfer mixture to a 9x13-inch casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and cover with foil. Bake at 350ºF. for 30 minutes.
- Once cooked, taste and add more salt as preferred. Enjoy hot!
Notes
Storing leftovers: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat slowly over low heat on the stovetop. The pasta will have soaked up some of the moisture and may be a bit dry. You can add a small amount of water, milk or broth to help loosen up the ingredients and make it smooth and creamy again.
You could also reheat individual servings in the microwave. Cook for one minute, stir, then continue to microwave in 30 second intervals until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water, milk or broth to make it saucy again.
Freezing: Let the hamburger helper cool completely, and then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Write the date on the container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy, allow the meal to thaw completely and reheat per instructions.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 559kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 1080mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 911IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 177mg | Iron: 6mg