This Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is a homemade version of the boxed favorite, made with ground beef, tomatoes, and pasta. Everything cooks in one pot, and the whole family loves it.
We are always looking for a quick and delicious meal idea. My kids love the boxed version of Hamburger Helper but I wanted to find something I could make without all the processed ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Picky-eater approved. One reader told us her three eaters loved it, and another said her very picky teenager approved.
- One pot, about 30 minutes. You brown the beef, add everything else, and the pasta cooks right in the sauce, so there’s no colander to wash.
- Real ingredients. It’s made with cheddar, milk, and tomatoes instead of a powered sauce packet.
- Feeds a crowd for less. It makes 8 servings for about $2.87 each.
This recipe is better than than anything store bought and sure to impress the entire family. This delicious one pot meal has everything you love but without all of the processed ingredients in the box kits. You might also like any of our Instant Pot Ground Beef Recipes or check out my instant pot beef stroganoff recipe.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef – 80/20 or 85/15 both work. You’ll drain the grease after browning either way. Ground turkey or chicken work too.
- Onion and Minced Garlic – Added to the beef for flavor.
- Milk and Beef Broth – Together, these cook the pasta and create the creamy sauce. Chicken broth works if that’s what you have
- Red Bell Pepper – Adds a little sweetness and color. Use any color you have, or you can leave out for picky eaters.
- Salt and Pepper, Italian Seasoning – Simple seasoning for added flavor.
- Crushed Tomatoes – Don’t drain them. Store brand works great.
- Macaroni Pasta – Elbow cook evenly in 3 minutes.
- Cheddar Cheese – If you can, buy a block and shred it yourself.
How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
Step 1 – Brown the meat and onion on the saute setting until it is no longer pink.
Step 2 – Add the bell pepper, seasonings, tomatoes, milk, broth, and pasta. The onion and garlic will smell amazing.
Step 3 – Make sure all of this is combined really good. Stir from the bottom of the pot and make sure the pasta is covered so it will cook properly.
Step 4 – Then add the lid and set to sealing position. Lock the lid and set to high pressure for 5 minutes. Do a quick release and stir the hamburger helper mixture to make sure it is not stuck to the bottom.
Step 5 – Stir in the cheese while hot so it will melt easily.
Step 6 – Mix everything together for a really tasty dinner idea. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. I personally have an Instant Pot and so far I am loving it.
- If you are concerned with the burn indicator light coming on, you can add a little oil before adding the ground beef to brown.
- Cook the pasta al dente if you plan to freeze it. Otherwise, it will become mushy when you reheat it.
- Shred the cheese yourself and don’t buy the bags of shredded cheese. It only takes a few extra minutes and it melts much smoother. The consistency is creamier and as a result so will your hamburger helper.
Variation Ideas
- Ground turkey or ground chicken. Both work great, with no change in cook time. They’re a little leaner, so you’ll have less fat to drain.
- Pasta. We used elbow macaroni but any type of pasta will work. While elbow is more traditional for Hamburger Helper, you can use bowtie, shells and penne.
- Broth. The last time I made this, I was out of beef broth. Chicken worked just fine. We are big fans of using what we have.
- Veggies. Try adding diced celery and carrots to this recipe. It adds a lot of flavor. Plus, it provides an easy way to sneak in more veggies.
- Cheese. You can omit the cheese all together if you do not want this. It will still be amazing. If you plan to add the cheese, feel free to try different types. We used cheddar but Colby or mozzarella taste yummy too.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge – Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Single-serving containers make easy lunches.
- Freezer – Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to reheat.
- Reheat – Microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between. The pasta soaks up sauce as it sits, so stir in a splash of milk or broth, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s creamy again.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- Green Beans. These are so quick and easy. Â We make green beans a lot for an easy vegetable.
- Easy Roasted Asparagus. With only minutes to prepare, this is an easy weeknight side dish.
- Steamed Broccoli. This microwaveable side dish is perfect with hamburger helper. Kids also seem more likely to eat it when paired with the cheesy sauce from the hamburger helper.
All of these would be yummy with hamburger helper in the instant pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you do not have a pressure cooker yet, try Crock Pot Hamburger Helper Recipe. This is also a nice alternative when you need to set it and forget it.
That’s normal. Stir in the cheese and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes. The pasta will soak up the extra sauce and it will thicken right up.
Yes. Use half of each ingredient and keep the cook time at 3 minutes. It may take a little less time to come up to pressure.
Only in an 8-quart Instant Pot, and don’t fill it more than halfway.
More Instant Pot Beef Recipes
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Instant Pot Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ½ onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 cups milk
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 cups Elbow Pasta
- 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Stir in the minced garlic and red bell pepper.
- Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, crushed tomatoes, milk, beef broth, and elbow pasta. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits. Make sure the pasta is mostly covered by the liquid.
- Secure the lid and set the valve to the Sealing position.
- Cook on High Pressure for 3 minutes.
- When the cooking time is complete, immediately perform a quick release to prevent the pasta from overcooking.
- Carefully remove the lid and stir well, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- While the mixture is still hot, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and creamy.
- Serve immediately.
My whole family loved this. Including my 3 super picky eaters. I will never buy the boxed hamburger helper again.
Super quick and easy and everyone liked it
I have a Very picky teenager and she approved! Very tasty. We have had this several times now!
Excellent?
Was very good. I received the teenager nod of approval. 🙂