Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

Healthier Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

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.

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 servings

Calories 486cal

Author Ashley Fehr

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

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.
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.
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.

Video

Notes

*Nutrition information is estimated and will vary depending on exact serving size, types and brands of products used.

Nutrition