This Hamburger Helper lasagna is a homemade, tasty, and easy one-pot meal that is perfect for any night of the week! It is healthier and much more delicious than anything you'll make from a box. Of course, this comfort food is still super convenient and ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes!
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One Pot Homemade Hamburger Lasagna Recipe
Hamburger Helper is known for being a super convenient and quick dinner that makes meal planning easier for families.
Of course, this homemade version tastes way better than the boxed kind and is still just as easy!
Not to mention, this entire meal can be made in one pot so you won't have to spend forever cleaning up the kitchen. It's a win-win for everyone!
🥘 Ingredients
The ingredient list for this copycat recipe is pretty straightforward. Don't stop short thinking that you can't get hold of mafalda pasta; any short noodles will work perfectly!
- Ground Beef - 1 pound of ground beef.
- Dried Minced Onion - 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion.
- Garlic Powder - ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Salt & Pepper - A bit of both staple seasonings, adjust to taste.
- Italian Seasoning - 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning.
- Marinara Sauce - 2 cups of marinara sauce.
- Pasta - 8 ounces of mafalda pasta. If you can't find it, any short noodle will work (*see note).
- Beef Broth - 2½ cups of beef broth.
- Milk - ½ cup of milk.
- Mozzarella - 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Hamburger Helper Lasagna
This homemade version of Hamburger Helper is just as convenient and simple as the original. Simply grab a large pot, deep skillet, or Dutch oven, plus some measuring cups and a wooden spoon, and you are ready to begin!
This recipe will make 6 hearty servings, so it is perfect for a weeknight family dinner!
- Brown the beef. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add your 1 pound of ground beef. Cook until the meat has browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as you cook. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the seasonings. Add your 1 tablespoon of dried minced onion, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of salt and pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Mix in ingredients. Next, add in your 2 cups of marinara sauce, 8 ounces of uncooked pasta, 2½ cups of beef broth, and ½ cup of milk, and then stir to combine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pot (deglazing).
- Boil then simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is cooked (most of the liquid should be absorbed).
- Melt the cheese. Stir in your 1 cup of shredded mozzarella and allow the dish to cook for another 30 seconds or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Enjoy. Serve immediately while warm.
Serve your lasagna hamburger helper with a fresh wedge salad as an appetizer! Then, pair it with a side of some homemade sour cream cornbread. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Don't worry if you can't find any mafalda pasta. Any small noodles will work! I used farfalle, but pasta like farfalle, rotini, penne, cavatappi, fusilli, gemelli, elbow, or shells are all great options too!
- I always modify my Hamburger Helper with quick stir-ins. I recommend some additional basil for this recipe, up to a ½ tablespoon (to taste).
- For a low-calorie alternative, try out ground turkey or chicken!
- To store: Allow your hamburger helper to cool completely and then place it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: When stored in an airtight container, your hamburger helper can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: You can reheat small, single-serve portions in the microwave. For larger amounts, reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Nope! This is one of the amazing things about this convenient meal! Simply add your uncooked pasta to the pot, and that's it!
Of course! You can swap out the dried minced onion for fresh onion, trade the garlic powder for minced garlic, or add in some bell peppers or zucchini! Toss in any veggies you like; I just recommend sauteing them first to make them nice and tender.
This simple meal doesn't need any sides to go with it - even though some tasty garlic bread is always a welcome side! But if you want to add on some delicious pairings, try out some steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, honey-glazed carrots, or sauteed mushrooms and onions!
😋 Tasty One-Pot Meals
- Goulash - This delicious goulash features ground beef, tomato sauce, and elbow macaroni!
- Spanish Seafood Paella - This Paella is loaded with a ton of different seafood for a hearty meal!
- Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks - Your Instant Pot will whip up these drumsticks in no time at all!
- Crockpot Mac & Cheese - This ooey-gooey mac and cheese is a comfort food staple!
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast - This pot roast is incredibly tender and cooked alongside some delicious veggies!
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork - This Instant Pot recipe will make you some perfect pulled pork in about an hour!
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📖 Recipe Card
Hamburger Helper Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 8 oz mafalda pasta (uncooked - or any short noodle *see note)
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add the 1 lb ground beef. Cook until the meat has browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as you cook. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the 1 tablespoon dried minced onion, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Next, add in 2 cups marinara sauce, uncooked 8 oz mafalda pasta, 2 ½ cups beef broth, and ½ cup milk, and then stir to combine. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pot (deglazing).
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked (most of the liquid should be absorbed).
- Stir in your shredded 1 cup mozzarella cheese and allow the dish to cook for another 30 seconds or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Don't worry if you can't find any mafalda pasta. Any small noodles will work! I used farfalle, but pasta like farfalle, rotini, penne, cavatappi, fusilli, gemelli, elbow, or shells are all great options too!
- I always modify my Hamburger Helper with quick stir-ins. I recommend some additional basil for this recipe, up to a ½ tablespoon (to taste).
- For a low calorie alternatives, try out ground turkey or chicken!
- To store: Allow your hamburger helper to cool completely and then place it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: When stored in an airtight container, your hamburger helper can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To reheat: You can reheat small, single-serve portions in the microwave. For larger amounts, reheat in a pot on the stove over medium heat.
Brooke says
How much is 8oz of bow tie noodles in cups?
Angela Latimer says
It should be close to 2 cups of noodles. I would use closer to 2.5 for this recipe. Thanks for asking!
Anna Lee says
This recipe is now a family staple. It's requested several times a month
Joshua Downer says
Absolutely the best over the boxed !!!!
Ashley says
Will chicken broth work in this? I will be using ground turkey instead of ground beef,
Thanks
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, you can use chicken broth with your ground turkey. It will change the flavor, so adjust (increase) your seasoning to make up for that.
Jackie says
Could you use traditional spaghetti sauce instead of marinara?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, most tomato based pasta sauces will taste great. Thanks for asking!
NANCY PAGE says
could you use oven ready lasagna noodles? I have an over abundance of them trying to use.
Thank You
Nance
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, you can use the oven ready noodles. Chop them up into smaller pieces, and I would reduce the broth by 1/2 cup. Thanks for asking!
Kayla says
Delicious and easy! A family favorite!
Barb Lassaline says
Made this last night and loved it…I will reduce the liquid when I make it the next time and I probably added more pasta than recipe called for because we love pasta.
SPodolski says
Wow! Delish! Super easy, crowd pleaser! Will be on our rotation, and I am sharing with my busy friends looking for a great, quick, homemade meal!
Julie says
Delicious! Turned out great!
Stephanie says
This will now go into my dinner rotation! Perfect recipe and came out amazing!
Mary says
This turned out so good! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Jessica says
Making this tonight! Looks great!