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Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Recipe

By 26 Comments Ground BeefOn The Healthy/Lighter SideOne-Pot MealsSlow Cooker

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A healthier, homemade version of Hamburger Helper made completely in the slow cooker — yes, even the pasta! (And no, it’s not mushy and overcooked!) Packed with sneaky veggies.

hamburger helper recipe in slow cooker

Something I always find interesting is the recipes that are popular on The Recipe Rebel a certain day, week or month, because my goal is to give you more of what you want.

Lately, my Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper has been going a little crazy as people have gotten back to routine and are eating something other than chocolate and cookies. I (surprise!) have also been craving something other than chocolate and cookies.

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With 3 young kids still in 3 very different stages of life (grade school, preschool and baby), I find myself running around like a mad woman come dinner time more often than I’d like to admit.

We use our slow cooker all the time. Probably at least 3 times per week!

slow cooker hamburger helper on grey plate

I know you’ve been seeing a lot of Instant Pot recipes popping up here lately, but believe me — I’ve still got big love for my slow cooker (and a good slow cooker pasta recipe!) and I won’t be donating it to the thrift store anytime soon 😉

How to cook pasta in a slow cooker:

Learning to properly cook pasta in a slow cooker so that it wasn’t some gross overcooked mush was seriously life changing for me.

It takes a little reworking because you need to have just the perfect amount of liquid at the end of the cook time to cook the pasta for the last 10-15 minutes (the exact cook time will depend on the size and shape of the pasta you use), but my original Hamburger Helper recipe translated perfectly into a slow cooker recipe, and it is the perfect solution to the dinner time rush!

No stirring,  no keeping an eye on things — just let the sauce cook away for a good part of the day and add the pasta in the last 15 minutes and you’re good to go.

hamburger helper with slow cooker

How this Hamburger Helper recipe is made healthier:

  • I use lean ground beef, but you could also use ground turkey or chicken or whichever you prefer.
  • I snuck in a ton of veggies, but no one ever really knows because they all cook down into the sauce (shred them or chop them up fine, and I promise this will please even the pickiest eaters!)
  • I use broth and low fat milk to make the sauce — instead of heavier milk or cream.
  • I pretty much always use a whole grain or ancient grains pasta for maximum fiber and protein, but you can use almost any pasta and it will work just fine (they all will require varying cook times though, so it’s something you’ll have to keep an eye on).

This is the perfect hearty meal to get you through the rest of the chilly days, but it’s also perfect for the warmer days when you just don’t want to turn your oven on!

hamburger helper recipe in slow cooker

Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crock pot pasta, crockpot pasta, ground beef pasta, hamburger helper, slow cooekr pasta
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 486 kcal
Author: Ashley Fehr
A healthier, homemade version of Hamburger Helper made completely in the slow cooker -- yes, even the pasta! (And no, it's not mushy and overcooked!) Packed with sneaky veggies.
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Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium onion diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced (I used red)
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes or more, if you like it spicy!
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup finely chopped fresh spinach
  • 1 1/2 cup 1% milk
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium
  • 1 1/2 cups seasoned tomato or pasta sauce
  • 3 cups dry uncooked macaroni (340g)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

  1. In a medium skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent. Add to a 4-6 quart slow cooker.

  2. Add in bell pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, spinach, milk, beef broth and tomato sauce and stir. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

  3. 10-15 minutes before serving, stir in pasta. Cover and let cook for 10-15 minutes, until desired tenderness is reached. Stir in cheese (covering for 2-3 minutes if necessary to melt the cheese) and serve.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

*Nutrition information is estimated and will vary depending on exact serving size, types and brands of products used.
Nutrition Facts
Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
Amount Per Serving
Calories 486 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 1119mg 47%
Potassium 829mg 24%
Total Carbohydrates 62g 21%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 7g
Protein 36g 72%
Vitamin A 33.2%
Vitamin C 38.7%
Calcium 27.2%
Iron 30.5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*This post was originally published February 8, 2016

 

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Comments

  1. I am in love with this. Especially excited that it can be made in the slow cooker. This is one of those amazing comfort food recipes that you love to have in the cooler weather. So much deliciousness!

    Reply

  3. I am obsessed with those slow cooker liners! I use them every single time we make something in the slow cooker. I’m also a huge hamburger helper lover, so this healthy version sounds sooo good!

    Reply

  9. Hi Ashley! I am loving all the crock pot recipes! Not only are they easy but they are so comforting! And added veggies are always a good thing! We are carnivores but also love vegetables in abundance! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks Dorothy! And I love making the slow cooker recipes! Lol. They are so much easier and practical for our busy family! I hope you had a great weekend 🙂

      Reply

  10. This looks insanely easy and flavorful. I’m always trying to find new things to make for dinner. Although I don’t eat ground beef, I can totally substitute in some turkey meat. I think this would be a hit in my house. Thanks for sharing, Ashley. 🙂

    Reply

  11. I love those slow cooker liners — washing a slow cooker can be quite the pain sometimes! I grew up on Hamburger Helper and I love that you lightened this up and you can let the slow cooker do most of the work for you!

    Reply

  14. Those slow cooker liners are the best! It saves me so much time in the kitchen! This hamburger helper is just what I need after devouring one too many snacks over the weekend! Love that you can toss everything in and let the slow cooker do its magic!

    Reply

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