Check out more of the very best slow cooker pasta recipes like Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, Crockpot Beef and Noodles and Crockpot Lasagna! Cooking pasta in the slow cooker is so much easier than you may realize. No stirring, no keeping an eye on things – just let the everything cook away for a good part of the day and add the pasta in the last 15 minutes and you’re good to go! The only element of Crockpot Hamburger Helper that needs to be cooked outside of the slow cooker is the beef. Then, everything gets mixed right into the Crockpot and cooked low and slow to cheesy perfection… I might be drooling. Once you master this easy homemade Hamburger Helper Crockpot recipe, you’ll never go back to the store-bought box again! And if you don’t have a Crockpot, no worries. You can also make Hamburger Helper on your stove-top!
Why we love this Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Recipe:
Filling: This is one of those entrees that will fill you up after just one serving, but it’s so delicious that you might find yourself going back for more. Cheesy: There’s the perfect amount of shredded cheese in the mix to tie everything together. Cheddar cheese is always great, but you can use any kind you like. So Easy: When I say this slow cooker recipe is fail-proof, I mean it! The steps here really couldn’t be easier.
Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper Ingredients:
Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef so it doesn’t render a lot of excess fat. If you end up with grease in your skillet, drain it before adding the meat to the Crock Pot. Milk: Any milk will work! You can substitute with half and half or cream, but I find that the cooking liquid gets to be quite a bit thicker and doesn’t cook the pasta as well, so I prefer to use milk for just a touch of creaminess. Tomato Sauce: Any seasoned tomato sauce will work like a marinara or similar. Pasta: Elbow macaroni is my favorite. This recipe will work with other types of pasta, but be sure that the weight and cook time is the same. I prefer not to use whole grain pasta here as it can take longer to cook and become gummy. Onion: A white or yellow onion will both work very well. Cheese: For the best flavor and consistency, try to use a freshly shredded cheese if you can. Beef Broth: I always recommend using low-sodium beef broth. That way, you can add more salt if desired and better control the amount of sodium in your dish. Pepper: A red pepper adds the perfect touch of natural sweetness. Garlic: necessary! Seasonings: There’s wiggle room here. I like to sprinkle in a simple combo of salt, Italian seasoning and just a pinch of red pepper flakes.
How to make Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper
Thanks to the slow cooker, making homemade Hamburger Helper has never been so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for more exact ingredients measurements and steps. “Family favorite for my picky eaters! Both my boys 1 & 6 are so picky and it’s nice to be able to make something besides nuggets that they’ll eat haha! My 6 year old requests this all the time! Prep does take me a minute but it’s so worth it! Delicious and thank you for sharing!” — Kalie Add your review
Cook the ground beef and onion until beef is browned and onion is translucent and add to the slow cooker. Add in the rest of the sauce ingredients and cook on low.
About 15 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high and stir in macaroni noodles. Be sure to keep an eye on these and cook just to al dente! Stir in cheese, taste and serve.
Variations and Substitutions
Make it dairy-free: you can easily make this recipe lactose-free with lactose-free milk and cheese. You can also use plant-based milk and cheese, or omit and substitute with additional broth. Can I make it gluten-free? I don’t recommend gluten-free pasta in one pot recipes because they cook differently and become mushier much more quickly. Veggies: Feel free to toss in more veggies like shredded carrots, zucchini or spinach. Spice: You can spice things up a bit by sprinkling in even more crushed red pepper flakes! Just be careful because a little bit goes a long way.
How to store Hamburger Helper
You can store leftover Hamburger Helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and pop individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
Can I freeze Hamburger Helper?
You can, but the texture will change. Pasta will become softer after freezing so just be aware before you choose that route to store it. Let everything fully cool to room temperature, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge for a few hours prior to reheating.
Serving suggestions:
You can serve Hamburger Helper all by itself! Or, have some fun and whip up a side dish like Air Fryer Broccoli or Green Beans with Bacon to add a pop of fresh flavor to your plate.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love!
Slow Cooker Pot Roast — a comfort food classic. Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup — perfect for a rainy day! Crockpot Meatloaf — so easy and moist! Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Glaze — this one is a reader favorite.
*This post was originally published February 8, 2016 Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
