Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper

Hamburger Helper is the ultimate comfort food and can be enjoyed any time of the year. Learn how to make gluten-free Hamburger Helper in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner recipe.

We remember eating Hamburger Helper a lot as a kid, and it was always a crowd-pleaser. Even though the boxed Hamburger Helper is good (dare we say great?), it does not compare to a homemade from-scratch hamburger helper.

With just a few simple ingredient swaps, homemade Hamburger Helper can be a delicious gluten-free meal. Even those with allergies can enjoy this ultimate comfort food without having to compromise on their dietary needs.

Healthy hamburger helper can be made in one dish and whipped up in less than 30 minutes. This dish will quickly become a family favorite and part of the regular rotation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the flavor, none of the gluten: If you are gluten-free and missing your old comfort meals, this recipe will bring you right back. It’s just as cozy and delicious as boxed Hamburger Helper without any of the gluten. Honestly, we think it tastes even better!
• Better ingredients: If reading long labels isn’t your thing and you want to avoid certain ingredients, from-scratch is the way to go! By making your own hamburger helper, you can know exactly what’s going in it and adjust based on your needs.
• Easy one-pot recipe: This meal comes together in less than half an hour and only dirties one pot!

Ingredients

• Ground beef: We recommend opting for organic and grass-fed whenever possible. If you want to mix it up, you can also use ground turkey, pork, chicken, or venison (find more venison recipes here!).
• Onion: Diced onion adds some umami flavor. You can add fresh garlic if you want, too!
• Ketchup and mustard: It may sound weird, but trust me! These condiments meld perfectly with the sauce and give it a wonderful flavor.
• Seasoning: We’ll make homemade seasoning with a mix of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will replace the spice packet that comes in the box of Hamburger Helper without any of the gluten or other added ingredients.
• Broth: Cooking the noodles in broth gives the Hamburger Helper loads more flavor. You can use store-bought broth, or try homemade Instant Pot bone broth.
• Cream: Heavy cream gives this dish an irresistible creamy richness. You can use half and half or whole milk for a lighter dish.
• White cheddar cheese: We recommend shredding your own cheese rather than buying pre-shredded. It will melt down and incorporate into the sauce better.
• Gluten-free macaroni noodles: You can use your favorite gluten-free macaroni noodles, or any other shape that sounds good. This recipe will work with rice noodles, quinoa noodles, lentil noodles, or any other gluten-free noodles.

How to Make Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper

Step 1. Start off by browning your ground beef in a large skillet. We use our large cast-iron skillet.

Step 2. Once your meat is browned, add in sauces and spices. Stir well.

Step 3. Pour in broth, cream, cheese, and noodles. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 4. Simmer for 15 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Serve hot and enjoy! Note: Sauce will thicken as it simmers.

Tips + Notes

• You can substitute any ground meat for beef.
• If you aren’t gluten-free, you can make this recipe with regular noodles.
• You can substitute water for the broth if needed.
• If you want to make a spicier version, try adding a teaspoon of hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
• Keep an eye on the liquid in your Hamburger Helper as it cooks. If the broth has absorbed and the noodles aren’t done yet, add a bit more broth or water. Some noodles may take longer/more liquid to cook completely than others.

Recipe FAQs

How long does homemade hamburger helper last?

Warm in a 350°F oven until hot and serve. This recipe will last up to 5 days in the fridge, or you can freeze it for up to 6 months. Hamburger Helper makes the perfect freezer meal. To freeze, allow the dish to cool, then cover or transfer to an air-tight container and place in the freezer. Pull it out the night before you want to eat it and place it in the fridge to defrost.

Is ground beef gluten-free?

However, some processes may add gluten or spices to hamburger meat that could contain gluten. Plain hamburger meat is gluten-free, but be sure to check your labels to be sure. As you might suspect, most plain ground beef is gluten-free.

Are spices gluten-free?

Most plain spices are gluten-free, but you’d be surprised how many spice mixes and seasoning packets have gluten! That’s why we make our own gluten-free taco seasoning and mix our own spices for this recipe. If you’re avoiding gluten, be sure to check your spice ingredients to make sure they don’t contain gluten; you would be surprised how many do!

An easy dinner means fewer dishes! We love that this gluten-free hamburger helper can be made in one dish. It makes for a simple recipe and easy clean-up.

It’s also quick to make! You can have this healthy dish on the table in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Lastly, this will be a total crowd pleaser. Everyone loves a steamy hot bowl of Hamburger Helper; even your picky eaters will love this one.

If you’re on the hunt for more gluten-free recipes, definitely try our gluten-free zucchini bread recipe! And for more dinners without the gluten, see these related recipes:

Related Recipes

• Gluten-Free Shepherd’s Pie
• Whole30 Chili
• Whole30 Taco Bowl (Paleo Approved)
• Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage
• Easy Sausage and Potato Skillet

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5 from 11 votes

Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper

By the studio Ascher Prep: 4 minutes minsCook: 25 minutes minsTotal: 29 minutes mins Servings: 4 servings SaveSaved Pin Print Hamburger helper is the ultimate comfort food and can be enjoyed any time of the year. Learn how to make gluten-free hamburger helper in one pot for an easy weeknight dinner recipe.

Equipment

• 12" cast iron skillet

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 3 cups bone broth
• 1 cup cream
• 2 cups gluten-free noodles
• 2 cups white cheddar cheese

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Instructions

• Brown beef in a large skillet. Add in diced onions when meat is halfway done.
• When meat is browned, add in ketchup, mustard, and spices. Stir well.
• Pour in bone broth, cream, noodles, and cheese.
• Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then turn the heat down to a simmer.
• Simmer for 20 minutes or until noodles are soft.

Notes

• You can substitute any ground meat for beef.
• If you aren’t gluten-free, you can make this recipe with regular noodles.
• You can substitute water for the broth if needed.
• If you want to make a spicier version, try adding a teaspoon of hot sauce and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.
• Keep an eye on the liquid in your hamburger helper as it cooks. If the broth has absorbed and the noodles aren’t done yet, add a bit more broth or water. Some noodles may take longer/more liquid to cook completely than others.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 1194kcal, Carbohydrates: 104g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 66g, Saturated Fat: 33g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 20g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 204mg, Sodium: 1221mg, Potassium: 496mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1607IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 474mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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