Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is the ultimate comfort food that's filled with nostaglia. The convenience of the Instant Pot make the process super easy, making a budget friendly meat the whole family will love! Healthier and tastier than store bought!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fast and Easy - ready in 30 minutes, the Instant Pot speeds up the process, and the one pot cooking makes clean up easier. Faster than takeout!
- Ultimate Comfort Food - pasta, carbs, meat and cheese. Need I say more?
- Budget Friendly - easy on your wallet with ingredients you already have in your pantry
- Kids Love It - they will eat this up and ask for seconds
Ingredients
- Onion and Garlic
- Olive or Vegetable Oil
- Ground Beef
- Spices - Paprika, Salt and Pepper
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Can of Diced Tomatoes
- Beef Broth
- Macaroni Pasta (Elbow Pasta)
- Cheddar Cheese
- Sour Cream
Equipment
- Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)
- Wooden Spoon
- Cheese Grater
How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Sauté - set Instant Pot to Sauté and add Oil. Caramelize onions and add Ground Beef and Garlic. Cook until Browned.
- Season - mix in Paprika, Salt, Pepper and Worcestershire Sauce.
- Add Tomatoes - stir in Diced Tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Pasta - layer Macaroni over the Ground Beef and add Beef Stock.
- Cook - close the Instant Pot Lid and set Vent to Sealing. Set the pressure to Manual for 5 minutes. When cooking is done, carefully quick release the Steam Valve.
- Make it Creamy - stir in Grated Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream.
- Serve - garnish with fresh chopped Parsley and Garlic Bread or Salad. Serve immediately.
Hamburger Helper Variations
- Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper - add Diced Pickles, Ketchup and a small squirt of Mustard for a Cheeseburger flavor twist
- Taco Hamburger Helper - substitute Paprika with Taco Seasoning and add Diced Jalapeños or Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- Cheesy Bacon Hamburger Helper - load up flavor with Chopped Bacon, Green Onions and extra Cheese
- Spicy - Add Cayenne Pepper, Chili Flakes or sauté sliced Red Chili Peppers with the Onions.
Recipe Tips and FAQs
- Avoid Overcooking Pasta - as soon as it is ready, quick release pressure so pasta isn't mushy
- Change Pasta - switch it up by using different Pasta like Rotini, Shells, Penne, Fusilli, Rigatoni or Bow Tie Pasta
- Fresh Grated Cheese - using store-bought Pre-Shredded Cheese usually has anti-caking agents which isn't as healthy and may impact creaminess of your sauce
- Add Herbs - stir in freshly chopped Basil, Oregano or Dill for more flavor
- Thicken Sauce - if sauce appears too thin, add more Grated Cheese. Alternatively, let dish sit for a few minutes after cooking to thicken from the pasta.
Can I Add Vegetables?
It's a great idea to make it even healthier! When cooking Pasta, add 1 cup of Frozen Peas, Corn, Carrots, Chopped Green Beans or Diced Bell Peppers. Alternatively, stir in 2 cups of fresh Baby Spinach into Hamburger Helper. Don't worry, it wilt and blends into the pasta!
What Happens If I Get A Burn Warning?
This usually only happens if there are stuck bits on the bottom of the pot. You can de-glaze after cooking Ground Beef. However after adding Diced Tomatoes, stir to scrape any bits from the bottom. It's like a de-glaze without needing to remove ingredients from pot.
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge - store in an airtight container and refrigerate. Enjoy within 3 days.
- Freezer - freezing will alter the texture of the pasta. Place in a Ziploc Bag squeezing out excess air and freeze. Enjoy within 1-2 months. Defrost in fridge overnight before heating.
- Reheating - place Hamburger Helper in a skillet or frying pan. Add a splash of Milk or Broth. Heat over medium heat until warmed. Add extra cheese.
Easy Dinner Recipes You'll Love
- Instant Pot Greek Lamb
- Cheeseburger Gnocchi in a Skillet
- French Dip with Easy au Jus
- Sweet Chili Chicken Drumsticks
- Creamy Chicken Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Lamb Shanks
- Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Chorizo
- Instant Pot Greek Lamb Shanks
- Grilled Snapper with Mango Salsa
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is an easy Pressure Cooker recipe, a cheesy carb overload on a plate! Made with wholesome ingredients like Diced Tomatoes, real Onions and Garlic without preservatives. Packs a flavor ensuring you'll never want to buy store bought again. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
- Wooden Spoon
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 1 small Onion diced
- 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil
- 1 pound (500g) Ground Beef
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes 14.5oz (400g)
- 4 cups Beef Broth
- 4 cups Elbow Macaroni Pasta (18oz or 500 grams)
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese grated
- 1 cup Sour Cream
Instructions
- Sauté - set Instant Pot to Sauté and add Oil. Caramelize onions and add Ground Beef and Garlic. Cook until Browned.
- Season - mix in Paprika, Salt, Pepper and Worcestershire Sauce.
- Add Tomatoes - stir in Diced Tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Pasta - layer Macaroni over the Ground Beef and add Beef Stock.
- Cook - close the Instant Pot Lid and set Vent to Sealing. Set the pressure to Manual for 5 minutes. When cooking is done, carefully quick release the Steam Valve.
- Make it Creamy - stir in Grated Cheddar Cheese and Sour Cream.
- Serve - garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally published February 2020, updated January 2025
