Julie Clark
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Hamburger Helper Lasagna
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This Hamburger Helper Lasagna is a one-pot meal that is a copycat of the classic Hamburger Helper box dinner mix I grew up eating. Ground beef, pasta, seasoned tomato sauce and three cheeses create the flavors of this easy one pot, 30 minute dinner.
Today I’m taking America’s favorite Hamburger Helper and turning it into a homemade copycat recipe that the whole family will love. This combines the classic taste of an easy lasagna recipe, with the ease of a one pot pasta.
My love for this Hamburger Helper Lasagna recipe.
I’ve often talked about how in our first few years of marriage when we had busy weeknights and intense work schedules, we used to make Hamburger Helper skillet dinners. We’d live on any one box of the endless options (tuna helpers were often my favorite!) for several days.
Since having more time at home, I like to recreate those box mixes into a homemade version with no artificial flavors. Simple ingredients and a recipe with easy steps that any one can follow.
I’ve already shared our slow cooker hamburger helper and hamburger helper cheesy macaroni, so it was time to set aside the boxed stuff and create a homemade hamburger helper lasagna with our own twist of spice.
This is a one pot meal that you can of course add veggies to, or serve with a side salad and cheesy garlic bread!
And if you’re looking for something more traditional, try our homemade lasagna recipe.
Enjoy! -Julie
Ingredients Needed
The ingredient list may seem a little long, but these are pantry staples that you most likely have on hand. When I make this, I usually only have to buy the ricotta cheese.
- Pasta. Any pasta shape will work. Mafalda pasta gives a lasagna look to the pasta dinner, but I’m a sucker for those Cavatappi spirals! Note: changing pasta may affect cooking time.
- Ground beef. Choose lean ground beef so there’s not much excess fat, or swap it out for ground turkey, ground chicken or Italian sausage.
- Italian-style herbs. I use dried herbs the most often, but if you have fresh basil, its a great addition!
✨ See the recipe card for full ingredients and amounts for Hamburger Helper Lasagna. ✨
Hamburger Helper Lasagna
This Hamburger Helper Lasagna is a one-pot meal that is a copycat of the classic box dinner mix. Ground beef, pasta, seasoned tomato sauce and a ricotta cheese create this easy one pot, 30 minute dinner.
Servings 4
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup yellow onions diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 can tomato sauce 15 ounces
- 8 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta or broken lasagna noodles
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or one tablespoon fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- Chopped fresh parsley garnish
Instructions
- Brown beef and onions in a Dutch oven (or large skillet with cover) over medium-high heat. Drain off any fat. 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 cup yellow onions
- Add in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper until combined. Cook and stir for a minute or two. 3 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce and stir to combine. Add the uncooked pasta and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat. 3 cups beef broth, 1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces uncooked cavatappi pasta
- While the beef and pasta are cooking, place the ricotta cheese, Parmesan, dried basil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper into a mixing bowl. Mix until combined. When the pasta is cooked, dollop in the cheese mixture and swirl, so there are pockets of ricotta throughout. 1 cup ricotta cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon dried basil, Salt and pepper
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish and place the lid back on. Allow the cheese to melt, about 2-3 minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. 1 cup shredded mozzarella, Chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Feel free to add some veggies, like spinach, squash, peppers or mushrooms into this dish to make it more nutrient dense.
- Storage Instructions: Place leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until heated through. If the pasta seems dry the next day, add more pasta sauce or marinara sauce.
- This tastes great the next day and is easy to reheat for lunch. You can even make a double portion as meal prep or lunch.
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
Nutrition
Calories: 692kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 2017mg | Potassium: 1668mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1690IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 458mg | Iron: 6mg
How Make Hamburger Helper Lasagna: Step by Step
- Brown the beef. Cook ground meat and onions in a Dutch oven (or large skillet with cover) over medium-high heat. Drain off any fat.
- Add the seasonings. Add in the garlic, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper until combined. Cook and stir for a minute or two.
- Cook the pasta. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce and stir to combine. Add the uncooked pasta and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for 12-14 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the pasta is al dente and the sauce mix has thickened. Remove from heat.
- Make the cheese mixture. While the beef and pasta are cooking, place the ricotta cheese, Parmesan, dried basil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper into a mixing bowl. Mix until combined. When the pasta is cooked, dollop in the cheese mixture and swirl, so there are pockets of ricotta throughout.
- Finish with toppings! Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish and place the lid back on. Allow the cheese to melt, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, oregano or basil over the Hamburger Helper lasagna!
