Name: Dairy Free Hamburger Helper
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean ground meat); 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended); 1 medium onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp paprika; 4 cups unsweetened plain dairy-free milk (almond or soy); 2 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended); 1 cup elbow macaroni (or small pasta shape); Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional); 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for slurry, optional, for thicker sauce)

Description

This easy one-pot recipe brings all the nostalgic comfort of Hamburger Helper to your table, completely dairy-free. Enjoy a creamy, savory sauce coating tender pasta and seasoned ground beef, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean ground meat)
1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
4 cups unsweetened plain dairy-free milk (almond or soy)
2 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
1 cup elbow macaroni (or small pasta shape)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
1 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (for slurry, optional, for thicker sauce)

Instructions

Brown the Beef & Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Deglaze & Build Flavor: Stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly and the spices to become fragrant.
Add Liquids & Pasta: Pour in the dairy-free milk and beef broth. Stir well to combine everything. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni to the pot, ensuring it’s submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer to Perfection: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. The liquid should be mostly absorbed.
Stir in Creaminess & Serve: Remove the pot from the heat. If a thicker sauce is desired, whisk 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the hot mixture and let it simmer for another minute until thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt and pepper) as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins