Description
A healthier twist on classic Hamburger Helper made easy in a slow cooker, combining lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and macaroni in a creamy tomato sauce for a comforting and convenient meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion (diced)
- 1½ cups low sodium beef broth
- 1½ cups milk (any kind)
- 1½ cups tomato pasta sauce
- 1 bell pepper (diced, red preferred)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust more if desired)
- 3 cups dry uncooked macaroni (350-380 grams)
- ½ cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Cook Beef and Onion: In a medium skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat. Transfer the cooked mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the beef broth, milk, tomato pasta sauce, diced bell pepper, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- Cook Macaroni: Approximately 15 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in the dry macaroni. Check after 15 minutes and continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes if needed until the pasta is al dente. If the pasta hasn’t fully cooked and the liquid is mostly absorbed, add ½ to 1 cup of additional beef broth or milk to ensure it cooks properly.
- Finish with Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese. If needed, cover the slow cooker for 2-3 minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are estimates and can vary widely depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes.
- Use lean ground beef or drain excess fat to keep the dish healthier.
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage for different flavors.
- You can omit or substitute the onion and bell pepper with other vegetables like shredded carrot, zucchini, or chopped spinach for added nutrition.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste; add more red pepper flakes or hot sauce for extra heat.
- Any type of milk works well; avoid heavy cream as it may thicken the sauce too much and affect pasta cooking.
- Replace tomato pasta sauce with similar seasoned marinara sauce for variation.
- Other pasta types can be used if they require similar cooking times and quantities.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
