Healthy Hamburger Helper (Gluten Free)
This Gluten Free Hamburger Helper recipe tastes just like your favorite childhood comfort food but is secretly full of veggies. Cheesy, savory, and made in one pot, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family!
You will love this Healthy Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper was one of my favorite meals growing up, and I was always excited when my mom would pull out the box. Unfortunately, the original version is not gluten-free-friendly at all, and had to go when I adopted a Celiac diet.
That said, instead of giving up my favorite guilty pleasure completely, I decided to make my own homemade version instead. Naturally, I made it a little bit healthier, too!
Made with gluten-free noodles, lean ground turkey, and plenty of cheese, this homemade Hamburger Helper recipe tastes just like the original. However, it’s secretly packed with mushrooms and zucchini for a boost of nutrients.
My little ones think love it and think it’s the stuff from the box, and I love that it’s high-protein and full of nutrients. Plus, all the ingredients combine in one pot, keeping prep time minimal and making cleanup a breeze. This healthy Hamburger Helper recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone in the family!
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Gluten Free Hamburger Helper Ingredients and Notes
- Oil - I prefer the strong taste of olive oil, but avocado oil will also work.
- Veggies - Yellow onion, garlic, mushrooms, and zucchini add flavor, nutrients, and volume to the dish.
- Ground Turkey - I personally prefer white meat, but dark meat will work as well. Use anywhere from 85% - 95% fat-free. You need the fat to help keep it soft and moist. I've tried this with 99% fat-free turkey, and it's a little too dry. If preferred, lean ground beef or ground chicken will also work.
- Seasonings - Paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning, sea salt, and black pepper add savory flavor and just a touch of heat to this recipe.
- Tomato Paste - This is different than tomato sauce. Tomato paste comes in a very small can (6 oz) at the grocery store. It has a very thick consistency as it's made by cooking tomatoes for so long that the water cooks out and is used to help thicken the sauce.
- Broth - Any type will work. Vegetable broth, chicken broth, and bone broth all taste great. Use a reduced-sodium option to prevent the recipe from becoming too soggy.
- Pasta - I use gluten-free uncooked pasta elbows, but any type of gluten-free pasta shape you like best will work.
- Cheese - Sharp cheddar cheese creates the classic savory, cheesy flavor we love. For the best results, use a block of cheddar, and grate it yourself.
- Greek Yogurt - This contributes to the creamy consistency of the sauce without the need for heavy cream. It also adds an extra boost of protein! For the richest taste and creamiest texture, use full-fat Greek yogurt.
How to Make Healthy Hamburger Helper
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step One: Sauté the veggies. Heat the olive oil in a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the onions, and sauté until they’re soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and mushrooms, and cook until soft.
Step Two: Brown the meat. Add the ground turkey, and brown it in the pot, breaking it into pieces as it cooks.
Step Three: Season. Add the paprika, chili powder, Italian seasonings, sea salt, and pepper to the pot. Then, add the tomato paste, and stir to combine.
Step Four: Simmer. Pour the broth into the pot, and increase the heat to medium-high. Allow the liquid to combine to a simmer, but don’t let it become a rolling boil!
Step Five: Add the pasta. Stir in the pasta noodles. Then, reduce the heat back down to medium, and allow the pasta to cook uncovered to al dente.
Step Six: Add the remaining ingredients. Stir the grated zucchini, cheddar cheese, and Greek yogurt into the dish. Allow the cheese and yogurt to melt, and stir again to combine.
Step Seven: Serve. Divide your gluten free hamburger helper between bowls, add a garnish of chopped parsley, and serve warm!
How to Serve Hamburger Helper
Made with protein, veggies, and carbs, this healthy hamburger recipe can be served as a complete, filling meal on its own. However, if you’re feeding a crowd, feel free to pair it with side dishes like gluten-free bread, a side salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted mixed vegetables.
Gluten Free Hamburger Helper (Healthy) FAQs
Leftover healthy Hamburger Helper will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the pasta will continue to absorb the liquid in the fridge. So, the noodles will become softer over time.
Yes, you can freeze homemade Hamburger Helper for up to 3 months. Just keep in mind that the pasta is likely to become softer once thawed.
Warm a large portion of leftover Hamburger Helper in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat. If it’s too thick, add a splash of broth or water as needed to freshen it back up. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions in 20-second increments until warm!
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Recipe
Healthier Hamburger Helper
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion - diced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 8 oz mushrooms - washed and dried
- 1 lbs ground turkey
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- 36 oz broth - vegetable, chicken, or bone
- 1 cup milk - any type will work just make sure it's plain and unsweetened
- 8 oz uncooked pasta elbows - I used a gluten free noodle
- 1 zucchini - grated
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese - shredded
- ½ cup greek yogurt - room temperature
- Parsley - finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Cook the onions until soft and translucent.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 yellow onion
- Add the minced garlic and mushrooms to the pot and cook until soft (about 1 - 2 minutes).2 cloves garlic, 8 oz mushrooms
- Brown the ground turkey in the pot and break it up into smaller pieces.1 lbs ground turkey
- Add the paprika, chili powder, Italian seasonings, sea salt, and pepper along with the tomato paste and stir into the meat and veggies.½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 3 tablespoon tomato paste
- Pour the broth into the pot and increase the heat to medium high heat until the mixture starts to simmer slightly (this should not be a rolling boil).36 oz broth
- Stir the pasta noodles into the pot until well coated. Reduce the heat back down to medium and allow the pasta to cook uncovered until al dente (about 10 minutes).8 oz uncooked pasta elbows
- Once the noodles are tender, add the grated zucchini, cheddar cheese, and greek yogurt and gently stir into the mixture. Allow the cheese and yogurt to melt into the pasta for 2 - 3 minutes.1 zucchini, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup greek yogurt
- Serve the hamburger helper in bowls while warm. Garnish with chopped parsley on top and enjoy!Parsley
Hi! Making it now, super excited it smells so good. My question - recipe calls for 1 cup of milk but never says when to add the milk, am I missing something?