Crockpot Homemade Hamburger Helper

Crockpot homemade hamburger helper is a cleaned up version of a classic, old school recipe.  This version ditches the processed food packet! Make this easy family-friendly recipe with ingredients that can be tailored to your liking. Sit back and let the slow cooker do the work while you get all the credit! Instructions to make this homemade hamburger helper recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. `

Ingredients For Crockpot Hamburger Helper

• Ground Beef
• Elbow Macaroni
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Beef Broth
• Heavy Cream
• Onion
• Cheddar Cheese
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, pepper
• Oil

How To Make Hamburger Helper In The Crockpot

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8. The last 3o minutes of cooking time, stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, and the cheddar cheddar cheese.  

Instant Pot

1. 1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
   2. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the tomatoes and beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
   3. Close lid and seal valve. Set on high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
   4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
   5. Stir in the heavy cream and the cheddar cheese.

FAQs & Tips

Is this Goulash?

Homemade hamburger helper is very similar to American goulash. 

Can you use ground turkey?

Of course. Feel free to substitute ground turkey for the ground beef without making any changes to the cooking time.

What is a good substitute for the Italian seasoning?

If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use another dried herb like parsley, basil, or oregano. 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker homemade hamburger helper in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Ground Beef Recipes

• Spanish Rice

• Vegetable Soup

• Tex-Mex

• Bean and Spinach Soup

• Chuck Wagon Stew

• Taco Casserole

Crock-Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper

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Crockpot homemade hamburger helper is a cleaned up version of an old school recipe.  Ditched the processed food packets and make this easy family-friendly recipe with ingredients that can be tailored to your liking.  Sit back and let the slow cooker do the work while you get all the credit! Instructions to make this homemade hamburger helper recipe in the Instant Pot are also included. `

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef, seasoned with salt & pepper
• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Add the oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the grease and add the mixture to the slow cooker.
2. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
3. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8. The last 3o minutes of cooking time, stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, and the cheddar cheddar cheese.

Instant Pot

1. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Add the oil. Once hot, add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as it cooks. Drain the excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir to mix well. Add the uncooked pasta on top. Do not stir. Pour the tomatoes and beef broth on top of the pasta. Do not stir.
3. Close lid and seal valve. Set manual high pressure setting for 5 minutes.
4. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.
5. Stir in the heavy cream & the cheddar cheese. It should melt quickly.

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