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!
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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. Looking for more dinner inspiration? You may also like creamy gochujang pasta, pesto rice, easy tempeh stir-fry, loaded mashed potato bowl, and Beyond Meat meatloaf.
Why You’ll Love Vegan Hamburger Helper
- Quick & Simple: It’s a low-fuss family meal ready in just one pot, using 9 ingredients (plus salt & pepper), in 30 minutes.
- 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.
- Diet-friendly: This vegan hamburger helper recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, sugar-free, vegan, and can be made gluten-free.
- Customizable: Personalize the recipe to your liking with your favorite meat alternative, spices, added veggies, regular or gluten-free pasta, etc.
- Super satisfying: Combining plant-based protein and pasta in a creamy, vegan cheesy sauce makes for a cozy, comforting, satisfying, family-friendly meal.
- 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
Alternatively, you could use canned green or brown lentils for the least processed option.
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
Step 1: First, heat the oil in a large saucepan. Meanwhile, peel and dice the red onion. Once hot, sauté the onion for 1 minute, then stir in the vegan beef crumbles and cook until almost cooked through.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: Remove the pot from the heat, add the vegan cheese, stir well, and let it melt with a lid on for 5 minutes. 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.
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Serving Suggestions
- Vegan focaccia, cornbread, warm crusty bread, or a garlic herb dinner roll for dipping
- A simple side salad or shaved Brussels sprout salad
- Sauteed spinach
- Roasted/ steamed vegetables – broccoli, instant pot 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.
One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 package of vegan beefy crumbles
- 1 red onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- 3 cups of veggie broth
- 1 ½ cups of vegan cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In large pot over medium heat, add oil and saute the onions for one minute, then add the vegan beefy crumbles and cook for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the tomato paste, garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Then stir in the veggie broth.
- Once the broth starts to boil, add in the elbow macaroni.
- Reduce the heat to a low simmer and let it cook uncovered until the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 12-15 minutes). Make sure to stir every couple of minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Once the pasta is cooked, turn off the heat and add the vegan cheese. Mix well and cover with a lid for 5 minutes.
- Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. (The plant-base crumbles and vegan cheese have salt so be careful with adding more salt without tasting first.)
Notes
- 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.
Adeel says
excellent recipe on One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper i am sure gona try this one thank u for a such a wonderful article
Andrea says
Let us know what you think when you give it a try 🙂
Choclette says
My whole family loved this one pot dish. It's so easy to make, also filling and tasty. Now on my must make again soon list.
Andrea says
That's so awesome to hear that your family enjoyed it!
Katie says
This recipe reminds me so much of the classic. We used to eat this growing up all the time. 10/10!
Andrea says
Same! It's the perfect veganized version of it!
Erin says
This one pot vegan hamburger helper took me right back to my childhood favorite. Thanks for this great comfort food recipe!
Andrea says
Aw love that! It did the same for me too!
Conchetta says
Easy meal- packed with flavor. Cozy comfort food- Looking forward to making again.
Andrea says
So glad you enjoyed it! Gotta love easy vegan comfort classics!
Tavo says
Wow, your One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper is a game-changer! The flavors meld together so perfectly, it's like a symphony in a pot. I love how you've made comfort food not just delicious but also nutritious. Seriously, this dish is going into my weekly rotation.
Andrea says
I couldn't have set it better myself! I love how easy it is too!
Andrea says
So incredibly satisfying and comforting all in one!
Kacy says
I made this tonight. It was delicious!! I'm so glad it was easy to make. Thanks for sharing!!
Andrea says
So glad you enjoyed it! It's a yummy one!