This is the best of all worlds. Like that workout that you actually enjoy; the little black dress that fits you like a glove and is on sale; or the warm, gooey, zero calorie brownie that’s sitting on your plate (wait, that’s not real?!). My friends, this dinner is most definitely REAL; and it’s not too good to be true! With just 5 minutes of prep and a few pantry staples, Grandma’s One Pan Hamburger Helper is a healthy, fast, and incredibly easy comfort food dinner that the whole family will enjoy!
After I had my first son, I returned to my office job full time and sent Gibbs to a neighbor’s in-home daycare so that I could commute 45 minutes to Charlottesville for work. And while I don’t keep that schedule (or that job) anymore, I can still vividly remember the end-of-the-day struggles. For working parents with babies and toddlers, there’s just nothing worse than walking in the house at the end of a long day with an over-tired and incredibly hungry child who needs to eat right now an hour ago.
There were many evenings when I just couldn’t get it together. I was stressed and tired, Gibbs was picky and didn’t want to eat anything other than mac and cheese or chicken nuggets, and so we gave him what he wanted as quickly as possible before fending for ourselves with bowls of cereal or turkey sandwiches. And like many of you out there, I had plenty of evenings where I cleaned up the dishes and felt as though I had failed…as a mom, as a wife, and as a woman. I was raised by a lady who had a homemade meal on the table each night, but I just couldn’t quite get it together with everything else that I had going on in my life. Heck, I hardly even had time to go to the grocery store, much less actually cook our food!
I quickly learned that I needed to have a plan in advance so that I could go grocery shopping once on the weekends and be set for the week. I also learned that I need a repertoire of quick-prep meals that I can pull together in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. Any longer, and my babies would be asleep in the high chair or throwing a tantrum on the kitchen floor! And finally, I needed these meals to be full of nourishing, healthy ingredients so that I could stress less about those Cheetos the boys wanted at lunch or those cookies that they demanded for snack. Because at the end of the day, we could all sit down together to a meal that I had cooked myself and that I could feel good about serving.
This Hamburger Helper is one of those simple dinners that has been a lifesaver for our busy family. It only requires one pan (which equals fewer dishes to clean up), and the meal practically cooks itself after about 5 minutes of hands-on prep. That gives me just enough time to change a diaper, unpack the lunch boxes, and steam some broccoli before we all sit down to eat. And best of all, when the kids join us at the table, they greet their dinners with smiles instead of tears, they clean their plates, and then they often ask for more. That’s when you’ll feel like a true success. That’s when you will know that you’ve found the best of all worlds: healthy, easy, and delicious!
Grandma's One Pan Hamburger Helper
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef (I used 96% lean)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup uncooked wholegrain or regular elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons minced dried onion
- ½ teaspoon minced dried garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ cup tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: grated cheese; parsley
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off the fat, and add remaining ingredients to the skillet.
- Stir to combine, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes (or until it reaches your desired thickness). Season with salt and pepper to taste; garnish with cheese and parsley, if desired.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Hungry child who needs A HEALTHY dinner like right now is my everyday struggle. I have a picky eater what makes things even worse for me. That’s why I love recipe like this one. It’s super delicious, healthy, HOMEMADE and super delicious. Blair, this one pan wonder looks really amazing. Juicy, full of flavours and so tasty. Pinning and sharing 😉
Yep, this is a one pan wonder that the whole family will actually eat! Thanks so much for stopping by, Natalie!
You had me at hamburger helper! This reminds me of when I was little, my parents would make the boxed version, and for some reason, I loved it! This homemade version looks even better than the packaged kind. What a quick and easy meal for busy weeknights. Love it!
So retro, right?! I imagine that’s why it was in my grandmother’s recipe box — because she was trying to make her own version of the stuff in the box! 🙂
Mmmmmm I’m so pinning this!!! I grey up on hamburger helper, but the gross boxed kind. This version looks so good Blair! My hubby and toddlers would go bonkers over this!!
Yep, this is a meal that the men in your house will love, Chrissa — and you don’t have to feel badly about serving it! 🙂
This looks incredible I just forwarded to the hubs to change the dinner plans for tonight. I want this!!
Hooray! I know you’ll love it, Gina! Moms (and grandmoms) always have the best recipes! 🙂
This looks deeeelicious! We have a homemade hamburger helper recipe too as Jesse randomly craved it one day when he first moved here and I spent weeks trying to perfect it, haha!
That’s funny — it’s such a classic in this country, but the homemade version is definitely WAY better than a box!
I bet you were exhausted. Glad you can be home now, but still busy mom! For sure. YOu always impress me. This dish would be perfect for those crazy nights where the brain doesn’t work. Feed that family with little effort. YEA!
Yep, juggling everything is hard no matter what the situation — it’s just different! Wouldn’t trade these guys for anything, but they definitely keep me busy…
Love the simplicity of this recipe! Another family dinner recipe winner Blair! Yum!! Xoxo
Thank you, Kelly! It’s definitely simple, and it’s definitely family-friendly! 🙂
Is it spicy with the chili powder?
This looks Delicious Blair can’t wait to try it. I love hamburger helper but the calories is a little overwhelming. Looking forward to trying this lower calorie version. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Judy! Enjoy! This is such a great, healthier alternative so that you can control the ingredients yourself!
This looks great1 I’ve seen a few similar recipes that use milk instead of broth or water. Just curious what the difference is and why you opted to not sure milk?
Hi, Andrea! I used water because I was just following an old family recipe and that’s how my grandmother made them. 🙂 I’ve never tried the recipe with milk, so I can’t say for sure how they would differ. I’m assuming it would probably work, but that the sauce would be creamier (which this is not). Let me know if you give it a try!
I’m so going to make this for dinner tonight…. Can i put shredded cheese after it’s all done…… I’m so happy i ran into this recipe 😊😊😊😊
Absolutely! Shredded cheese on top is always a good idea. 🙂 Enjoy, Desiree!
Great spaghetti recipe, Unfortunately I was really looking forward to hamburger helper, so to make this with hamburger helper in mind was inconceivably disappointing.
Spaghetti???? Is that a joke? This is nothing like spaghetti!!!
🙂
I can see the spaghetti comparison. I think it sort of has an over powering tomato taste. I’m not getting the Hamburger Helper taste at all. :/
Super easy and delicious! It was gone same day. Will definitely make this again. Thank you!
Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know, and I’m so glad that it was a hit! 🙂
can i double this recipe? also can i use tomatoe soup if i dont jave tomato paste?
Hi! You can definitely double the recipe — just make sure to use a big pan! 🙂
I have never tried using tomato soup instead of the tomato paste; however, that substitution will definitely change the taste and texture of the dish. I don’t think that it will be “bad,” but it won’t taste the same as the original. The tomato paste has a much more concentrated tomato flavor, and it is also much thicker than the tomato soup would be. Again, not necessarily a terrible substitute, but I can’t guarantee the taste and texture of the finished product. 🙂
Just made this tonight and it was a big hit with everyone! I changed it a bit by starting with sautéed onions and garlic instead of powdered and used vegetarian ground round beef instead as we are vegetarian. I added chopped fresh tomato instead of tomato paste and vegetable stock instead of beef. This was a very yummy and filling meal.
Excellent! Thanks so much for sharing your changes, Janet. So glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Nice quick recipe! I subbed a yummy apple wood spice that Winco carries in their bulk section and added some worchestershire sauce. Served it with homemade cornbread and a tossed salad.
Thanks so much, Shauna! Your tweaks sound perfect, and the cornbread + salad on the side must have been delicious. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
This was simple and delicious! My teenagers devoured it. Will mist definitely make this again!
Excellent! Thanks for letting me know, Lorraine! 🙂
I just made this for my husband and we loved it! So much better than the boxes hamburger helper. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Yay! So glad that you guys enjoyed it, Katelyn!
This was easy to make and delicious! My family loved it!
Perfect! Thanks, Jill! 🙂