Easy Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Inside: Check out one of our favorite easy Instant Pot dinner recipes – homemade hamburger helper. This easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights – it features a cheesy beef and pasta mixture that comes together in a snap!

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, this is it! This recipe is perfect because it combines all the flavors of Hamburger Helper with pasta in just one pot – and it’s a lot better for you since it’s homemade. You can’t go wrong with that. It’s easy to put together, cooks quickly, and tastes delicious. Who could ask for more?

There are just those meals that you look back on with fondness from childhood – and Hamburger Helper is one of them.

However, if you aren’t as pleased with the idea when you look at the ingredients on the box, you might feel a little disappointed…until you realize you can make something that tastes even better at home and you can feel a little bit better about feeding your family.

This pressure cooker Hamburger Helper is absolutely delicious. It has tons of flavor, it’s so easy to throw together quickly, tastes amazing, it’s a recipe the whole family will love. This one definitely has a place in my permanent Instant Pot recipes cookbook!

The cooking time for this recipe in under 30 minutes, and it’s something your entire family will be asking you to make over and over again (picky eaters included).

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 8 oz dry elbow macaroni
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Turn instant pot to the saute setting and heat olive oil.
2. Add ground beef and brown until no longer pink and drain excess fat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the pot with a little bit of beef broth.
5. Add ketchup, mustard, seasonings, macaroni, and brothe to the pot and stir well.
6. Place lid on top and set to manual high pressure for four minutes.
7. When the time goes off, quick release all the pressure.
8. When pressure is released, take the lid off and mix in the cheese. Serve immediately

Can I use different kinds of pasta?

You can use different kinds of pasta in this recipe, just make sure they are the same size so they cook evenly.

How can I make this recipe healthier?

There are a few swaps you can do to make this recipe a little bit better-for-you

• Use a healthier ground meat, such as ground turkey or ground chicken
• Choose an extra lean ground beef
• Use black beans instead of ground beef
• Choose a low fat sour cream
• Use low fat cheddar cheese
• Use whole wheat macaroni noodles

Why is this better than boxed Hamburger Helper?

This is better than the boxed version because you know exactly what’s in it and it’s made fresh. The homemade version has lots of the flavors and texture that we all know and love from the boxed stuff – it’s just better for you!.

What are some variations for this recipe?

Some variations for this recipe include:

• Using different kinds of cheese
• Adding in vegetables, such as onions or green peppers
• Using a different type of pasta.
• Add Worcestershire sauce.
• Use tomato paste instead of ketchup.
• Add in some taco seasoning
• Use fresh herbs

Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?

This should be fine. It may change the flavor ever-so-slightly, but it shouldn’t be very noticeable!

Are the noodles mushy?

The noodles should be cooked al dente, but not mushy. The best way to prevent them from getting mushy is to make sure you do the quick pressure release as quickly as possible when the timer goes off.

How can I store the leftovers?

You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

What does it mean to deglaze the bottom?

Deglazing the pot is essential for making sure your food doesn’t burn. When you use the saute feature to brown the ground beef, pieces of the meat get stuck to the bottom of the pot.

So before you add the rest of the ingredients in, you need to deglaze! You can do this very simply by following these instructions:

• Add a small amount of water or broth to the bottom of the bottom
• Using a wooden spoon, crape the bottom of the pot until it looks like there are no more bits and pieces of meat stuck to it.

Why did I get a burn notice?

There are two main reasons you will get a burn notice:

• You did not put in enough liquid
• You did not deglaze the bottom of the pot.

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

We have not made this recipe dairy-free, but you could try using your favorite dairy-free cheddar shreds and a dairy-free sour cream.

What should I serve with this recipe?

You can make this a complete meal with some delicious sides dishes including steamed vegetables, a simple salad, or garlic bread.

More Weeknight Dinner Recipes:

• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
• Easy Instant Pot Tomato Soup Recipe
• Instant Pot Ham Potato and Cheddar Soup

This Instant Pot homemade hamburger helper is quick, easy and delicious – perfect for busy weeknights. It’s also healthier than boxed Hamburger Helper, since it’s homemade. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients or variations.

Plus, the leftovers are freezer-friendly, so you can make ahead and have a quick meal ready to go. Who knew making a delicious meal like this could be so easy? We love this cheesy pasta dish, and we know that it will be one of your family favorites for years to come.