Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper is made with lean ground beef, low sodium beef broth, and tomato pasta sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 360 min
- Total
- 370 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 12 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Beef
- Cuisine
- American
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: over 60 minutes
A few quick notes
1. Check when to cover
Follow the covered and uncovered stages in their stated order.
2. Choose the cooking schedule
Check the slow-cooker setting and timing before deciding when to start.
Get to know the ingredients
lean ground beef
In the method: In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent.
medium onion (diced)
In the method: In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent.
low sodium beef broth (plus additional if needed)
In the method: In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
Ingredient note
Source: 1 lb lean ground beefIngredient note
Source: ½ medium onion (diced)Ingredient note
Source: 1½ cups low sodium beef broth (plus additional if needed)Ingredient note
Source: 1½ cups milk (any kind)Ingredient note
Source: 1½ cups tomato pasta sauceIngredient note
Source: 1 bell pepper (diced; I used red)Ingredient note
Source: 2 cloves garlic (minced)Ingredient note
Source: 1½ teaspoon saltIngredient note
Source: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoningIngredient note
Source: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, if you like it spicy!)Ingredient note
Source: 3 cups dry uncooked macaroni (350-380 grams)Ingredient note
Source: ½ cup shredded cheese
How to make it
0 of 4 steps completeMake room for Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Finish as directed
Stir in cheese (covering for 2-3 minutes if necessary to melt the cheese), taste and serve.
A few questions you might have
What should I prepare first?
Set out the skillet and slow cooker. Start with this step: In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent.
Which preparation step should I plan for?
Follow the covered and uncovered stages in their stated order.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent.
How do I plan the ingredient amounts?
This version serves 6. Use the ingredient amounts listed for that yield. If you change the number of portions, check equipment and the full method as well as the shopping quantities.
Additional recipe notes
*Nutrition information is estimated and will vary depending on exact serving size, types and brands of products used. Ingredients and Substitutions: Ground beef: use lean ground beef or drain the fat before adding to the slow cooker. You can also swap this with any ground meat, even ground Italian sausage. Onion and pepper: these are the vegetables we use and they add lots of flavor. You can omit one or both, or stir in others like shredded carrot, zucchini, or finely chopped spinach. Seasonings: feel free to adjust the seasonings to your tastes. If you like a bit of kick, add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a bit of hot sauce. Milk: any milk will do here! You can substitute with half and half or cream, but I find that the cooking liquid gets to be quite a big thicker and doesn’t cook the pasta as well, so I prefer to use milk for just a bit of creaminess. Tomato pasta sauce: and seasoned tomato sauce will work, i.e., a marinara or similar. Something with flavor! Macaroni: this recipe will work with other types of pasta but be sure that the weight and cook time is the same.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: thereciperebel.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
