Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Recipe
This Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper is a hearty, cheesy one-pot meal made with ground beef, pasta, vegetables, and a rich tomato-based sauce. It’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners with minimal prep and maximum comfort.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1½ cups milk
- 1½ cups tomato pasta sauce
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 cups dry uncooked elbow macaroni (about 360 g)
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onion until browned and soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 4–6 quart slow cooker.
- Add bell pepper, garlic, broth, milk, tomato pasta sauce, salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until vegetables are tender and mixture is hot.
- About 15 minutes before serving, switch to high and stir in uncooked macaroni. Stir once or twice while it cooks.
- If needed, add up to 1 cup more broth or milk to help pasta cook evenly.
- When pasta is al dente, stir in shredded cheese. Cover for 2–3 minutes to melt, then stir and serve warm.
Notes
- Add extra veggies like carrots, zucchini, or spinach for nutrition.
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- To make it creamier, increase cheese to ¾ cup.
- Stir pasta occasionally during the last stage to prevent sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
