This DELICIOUS slow cooker hamburger helper recipe is a homemade, lightened up version that’s packed with vegetables but still retains the flavors and creaminess of the classic dish. If you’re looking for a healthy ground beef crock pot meal that the whole family will love, give this easy dinner a whirl!
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Lizzie’s Notes
Hello, fall! It may be 80 degrees out, but my cravings for cozy meals and easy weeknight dinners have definitely arrived. And this slow cooker hamburger helper is both of those things…with added veggies to boot! Think of it as cheeseburger macaroni casserole meets bolognese. Yum, right?
I’ve been wanting to create this recipe for months now, ever since I watched the episode of The Bear where chef Sydney makes hamburger helper for her daughter’s friend. She uses tomato paste, onion, fresh herbs, grated cheese, and panko breadcrumbs to elevate the dish. You’ll see all of those ingredients (minus the breadcrumbs) in my version too!
And since I just can’t help myself, I also packed in a ton of vegetables for some added flavor and fiber. They round out the dish to make it a complete meal, making it an ideal option for weeknights, parties, or any day you want to prep dinner in advance and limit that evening stress.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ground beef: I used 85/15 beef, but you can use a leaner option if desired. Ground turkey also works as a sub but will have a different flavor.
- Onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper: You can use any kind of onion or bell peppers in slow cooker hamburger helper, but I chose to use sweet onion and red bell pepper. You want to have about 2 and ¾ to 3 cups of vegetables, so feel free to substitute more or less of one if that’s what you have. You can also sub other vegetables, such as zucchini or mushrooms, but the combo listed here is what I like best. When prepping the vegetables, chop them into very small pieces (fine dice) for best results! You don’t want big pieces that take too long to cook and cook unevenly. Instead, you want the veggies to almost melt right into the dish.
- Tomato paste: If you don’t have some, consider adding a cup of marinara sauce in lieu of one of the cups of broth.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and paprika: Boxed hamburger helper includes most of these seasonings. Feel free to add red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat and a little Italian seasoning to mix it up if desired.
- Macaroni: Use dried elbow macaroni. If you don’t have it, try orzo, shells, or ditalini.
- Beef broth: Substitute chicken or vegetable broth if that’s what you have.
- Whole milk: Substitute another kind of milk or even heavy cream.
- Cheddar cheese: I personally like to get a block of cheddar and grate it myself, since I think it melts better than packaged shredded cheese. Sometimes the additives in packaged cheese make it less creamy when melted, but you can certainly use it if that’s what you have.
- Parsley: Consider oregano or basil for garnish if you don’t have parsley. Finely chopped spinach is another good addition or sub.
Instructions
The full recipe card for slow cooker hamburger helper with veggies is at the bottom of the post. Scroll down to see it. Here’s a preview of the steps with photos to guide you.
Cut the vegetables into very small pieces.
Cook the beef and onion in olive oil in a skillet.
Add the cooked beef and onions, vegetables, spices, tomato paste, and beef broth to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until the vegetables are tender.
Stir in the macaroni. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, adding extra broth as needed, until the noodles are cooked.
Stir in the milk, shredded cheese, and chopped parsley.
Stir vigorously for a couple minutes until the cheese is melted and the noodles are creamy.
Storage and Reheating
I personally think slow cooker hamburger helper tastes best when enjoyed right away. Similar to other pasta dishes, the noodles may get overly soft/soggy the longer they’re stored. However, you can definitely keep leftovers in the fridge if that’s what you prefer. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in 30-second intervals in the microwave on high until warmed through.
More Veggie-Loaded Casseroles
If you love this slow cooker hamburger helper with added veggies, check out these other lightened up casseroles and crock pot dishes while you’re here.
📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper with Veggies
Equipment
- Slow cooker (at least 5 quarts)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ medium onion - finely diced, about 1 cup
- 1 large carrot - finely diced, about ¾ to 1 cup
- 1 small red bell pepper - cored and finely diced, about ½ cup
- 1 rib celery - finely diced, about ½ cup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth - divided, see instructions
- 12 ounces dried elbow macaroni - 3 cups
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley - from about ½ bunch
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion to the pan. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon as you go, for 6 to 8 minutes until browned.
- In the meantime, prep the vegetables by dicing them into very small pieces. This is an important step, because finely dicing the veggies makes them easier to cook in the slow cooker and more palatable to eat in the dish.
- Add the cooked beef and onion to the slow cooker. If desired, drain the grease from it before adding it. You can also use a slotted spoon to remove it from the skillet so that excess grease drips off of it.
- Add the carrots, bell pepper, celery, tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Pour in 3 cups of the beef broth (save the last cup for later).
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours until the vegetables are softened. Cooking times may vary depending on the slow cooker. Check as early as 2 and a half hours if you have a newer model that you know cooks things quickly.
- Add the macaroni and last cup of broth to the slow cooker. Stir well, cover, and cook for 15 more minutes until the macaroni is tender. Stir occasionally to promote even cooking.
- Add the milk, cheese, and parsley to the slow cooker. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the macaroni is creamy.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
- Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!
Notes
- You want to have about 3 cups of finely diced vegetables in total, so feel free to use more or less of certain veggies to get to 3 cups depending on what you have on hand.
- Consider substituting bone broth to add more protein.
- If you want the recipe to be lower in sodium, use a low sodium broth and/or reduce the salt.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in 30-second intervals on high in the microwave until warmed through.
Anne Wechsler
Loved this and perfect for toddler as well!!
Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN
Ahhh yay!! I’m so glad to hear it was a hit, Anne!! <3
Will
This is such a great recipe. Huge hit with my toddlers, and it tastes just like the real thing