One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper

Vegan hamburger helper combines macaroni and vegan mince in a creamy, tomatoey sauce for a cozy, comforting, and super simple one-pot, 30-minute meal the whole family will love!

What Is Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger Helper is a pantry, packaged food product made by Eagle Foods that was designed to combine with browned ground beef (aka ‘hamburger’) and a liquid to stretch the meat into a quick, low-effort, one-dish meal.

The hamburger helper ingredients combine rice/pasta with several powdered seasonings (including sugar!). However, this product has multiple versions available now, including a broader range of chicken helper, tuna helper, etc.

Unfortunately, not only are they loaded with preservatives, thickeners, and chemicals, but they also contain eggs and dairy. Luckily, it’s easy to make homemade hamburger helper that hits all the nostalgia and flavor profiles of the original but is 100% dairy, egg, and meat-free.

It’s perfect as a family-friendly satisfying meal on busy weeknights, potlucks, and dinner parties. You may also like creamy gochujang pasta or pesto rice.

Why You’ll Love Vegan Hamburger Helper

1. Quick & Simple: It’s a low-fuss family meal ready in just one pot, using 9 ingredients (plus salt & pepper), in 30 minutes.
2. Packed with flavor: This one-pot vegan hamburger helper is as flavorful (if not more!) as the traditional version, combining macaroni in a creamy, tomatoey sauce with vegan mince and melty plant-based cheese.
3. Diet-friendly: This vegan hamburger helper recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, sugar-free, vegan, and can be made gluten-free.
4. Customizable: Personalize the recipe to your liking with your favorite meat alternative, spices, added veggies, regular or gluten-free pasta, etc.
5. Super satisfying: Combining plant-based protein and pasta in a creamy, vegan cheesy sauce makes for a cozy, comforting, satisfying, family-friendly meal.
6. Meal prep friendly: This vegan cheeseburger pasta makes great leftovers, perfect for enjoying over several days and packing for school/work lunch.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

• Vegan minced beef: Just because we’re making this hamburger helper without meat doesn’t mean it lacks protein. Instead, use your preferred vegan mince product – crumble pieces or the more realistic mince type that breaks down as you cook it. Crumbled tofu or tempeh may also work.

Alternatively, you could use canned green or brown lentils for the least processed option.

• Pasta: I used elbow macaroni, though other short pasta shapes work, too, like penne, fusilli, pasta bows, and even broken lasagna sheets.
• Vegetable broth: Use pre-made or homemade liquid stock OR bouillon/stock powder or cubes combined with boiling water. Use a reduced-sodium option if preferred.
• Onion: I used red onion, though a yellow onion or sweeter shallot works too.
• Tomato paste: This will add richer depth to the sauce.
• Seasonings: This vegan hamburger helper recipe relies on only a few simple pantry seasonings for its flavorful base, including
  • Garlic powder (though you could use minced garlic/ garlic puree if preferred)
  • Smoked paprika (for a subtle smokiness)
  • Chili powder (or cayenne pepper – adjust the amount to taste)
  • Sea salt & black pepper (Replace salt with soy sauce/tamari for umami)
• Vegan cheddar cheese: Or your favorite vegan melty cheese (like mozzarella of smoked gouda). Alternatively, use nutritional yeast for a subtle umami-rich, nutty, 'cheesy' flavor.
• Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil, like olive oil, avocado oil, etc.

What Else Could I Add to DIY Hamburger Helper?

• Vegetables: Add around 2 cups of veggies. The simplest option is frozen peas/corn. However, sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, carrot, cauliflower, etc., will also bulk the meal and add extra nutrients.
• For spice: Increase the heat with freshly chopped chilies, a jar of green chilies, Cajun seasoning, curry powder, or red pepper flakes. Add to taste.
• Vegan cream cheese: For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in a dollop of vegan cream cheese towards the end.
• Vegan Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash adds a tangy, bright flavor.
• Dill pickles: Finely chopped & added at the end to this vegan cheeseburger pasta recipe.
• A bay leaf: Left to simmer, then removed at the end for extra depth.
• Fresh parsley: To garnish for fresh, herbal flavor and extra color.
• Spinach: Stir it in with the vegan cheese for extra nutrients and bulking.

How to Make Vegan Hamburger Helper

• 1) First, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Meanwhile, peel and dice the red onion.

• 2) Once hot, sauté the onion for 1 minute, then stir in the vegan beef crumbles and cook until almost cooked through (about 5 minutes for me).

• 3) Mix in the tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika, then stir in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

• 4) Add the pasta, reduce the heat to a simmer, and allow it to cook, uncovered, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed (12-15 minutes). Stir every couple of minutes to prevent burning.

• 5) Remove the pot from the heat, add the vegan cheese, stir well, and let it melt with a lid on for 5 minutes.

• 6) Finally, taste the vegan hamburger helper and season it with salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!

I only add salt at the end because the vegan cheese and plant-based beef crumbles contain some, and the flavor/amount will vary between brands.

Pro Recipe Tips

• Cook pasta al-dente: This ensures it doesn’t become too mushy in this one-pot meal.
• Tweak to taste: When you season the veggie hamburger helper with salt and pepper at the end, feel free to tweak any of the other seasonings, too.
• For a heartier meal: It’s easy to add different veggies to make even more of a substantial and nutrient-dense meal.

Serving Suggestions

• Vegan focaccia, cornbread, warm crusty bread, or a dinner roll for dipping
• A simple side salad or shaved Brussels sprout salad
• Sauteed spinach
• Roasted/ steamed vegetables – broccoli, green beans, corn on the cob, etc.

Storage Information

Store: Allow the leftover meatless hamburger helper to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Freeze: Separate it into portions in freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just note that the pasta will become soft upon thawing.

Reheat: Use a microwave (1-2 minutes, stirring halfway) or heat the homemade hamburger helper over low heat on the stovetop, stirring often. Add a splash of water, broth, or vegan milk to loosen up the sauce if needed.

More Vegan Dinner Recipes

• Easy tempeh stir-fry
• Loaded mashed potato bowl
• Beyond Meat meatloaf
• Vegan Cordon bleu
• Black bean vegetable tacos
• Vegan corn chowder
• Butternut squash enchiladas

If you tried this homemade vegan hamburger helper recipe (as written or with substitutes), I’d love to know what you thought. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!

Photos by Alfonso Revilla