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Veggie-Loaded Hamburger Helper Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 66 reviews

This Veggie-Loaded Hamburger Helper is a delicious, one-pot meal that combines lean ground beef, nutritious vegetables, and tender pasta all cooked together in a savory broth. Enhanced with spices, tomato paste, and finished with creamy yogurt and sharp cheddar cheese, this hearty dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, grated or finely chopped
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped (or substitute 1 cup defrosted frozen spinach)
  • 8–10 ounces elbow macaroni or other small-shaped pasta (gluten-free option if desired)
  • 3 cups broth (beef or vegetable broth recommended)
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt (whole milk or 2% recommended)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Heat vegetables: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or high-sided skillet. Add the chopped onion and grated carrot, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes.
  2. Cook ground beef and season: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart into small crumbles. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Stir in kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and paprika. Add the tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds to develop flavor. Then mix in Worcestershire sauce, spinach, pasta, and pour in the broth.
  3. Simmer pasta: Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until the pasta is tender, approximately 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. If the liquid evaporates before pasta is fully cooked, add an additional ½ cup broth or water as needed.
  4. Finish dish: Remove the lid, then stir in the plain yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese. The pasta will continue absorbing liquid, so it’s normal for the sauce to seem plentiful. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
  5. Serve warm: Dish out the veggie-loaded Hamburger Helper and enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
  • Substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach if fresh is unavailable; thaw and drain excess water before using.
  • Whole milk or 2% plain yogurt works best for creaminess, but Greek yogurt can also be used for extra protein.
  • Adjust the level of chili powder to your spice preference.
  • To reduce sodium, use low-sodium broth and adjust salt accordingly.

Keywords: one pot dinner, hamburger helper, ground beef recipe, quick dinner, veggie-loaded, family meal, easy weeknight meal

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/veggie-loaded-hamburger-helper-recipe/