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This homemade gluten-free hamburger helper is the ultimate version of the popular store-bought brand. It's hearty, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights.
This gluten-free hamburger helper recipe exists because my husband's mother always cooked hamburger helper for him growing up. In my house, it was never a thing. So when we first got married, of course, my husband wanted to make it. Needless to say, I was not a huge fan of the popular boxed kind I knew he was, so I set out to make a version for all of us to enjoy. Now he gets his classic comfort I get to know what it is that we are eating.
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Are any of the Hamburger Helpers gluten-free?
No, at this time, Hamburger Helper does not offer any gluten-free varieties of their popular boxed dinner kits. Great Value Brand (sold by Walmart) offers a few gluten-free varieties, but trust me, you don't need them.
What does homemade hamburger helper taste like?
This version of gluten-free hamburger helper tastes like chili mac. If you've never had chili mac, think of delicious chili tossed with gluten-free pasta, and then add cheese. It's a grown-up version of gluten-free mac and cheese, but it's totally kid friendly. My kids eat this quick and go back for seconds.
Ingredients.
Skip the box of mystery ingredients because this homemade gluten-free hamburger helper uses mostly pantry staples and comes together in about twenty minutes.
- Ground Beef - You can use ground chicken or turkey if you want here.
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Diced Tomatoes
- Tomato Paste
- Kidney Beans - You can sub black beans or even leave them out if you don't like them.
- Cheddar Cheese
- Spices
- Gluten-free Pasta of Choice
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Dairy-free hamburger helper.
Yes, this gluten-free hamburger helper recipe can be made into a dairy-free hamburger helper by leaving out the cheddar cheese. If you prefer, you can use a dairy-free alternative or add a little bit of nutritional yeast to the dish.
Steps.
Just like the popular store brand, this gluten-free hamburger helper comes together in just a few simple steps.
- Cook and drain the ground beef.
- While the meat browns, cook and drain the pasta.
- Add the chopped veggies to be meat and saute until soft.
- Next, add the drained beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
- Then add the spices.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the meat and veggies.
- Stir in the cheese until it's melted, and enjoy!
Gluten-free hamburger helper FAQ.
Yes, ground beef is naturally gluten-free. The only time you would need to worry about ground beef not being gluten-free is if it has had any breading or flavorings added to it, which can contain gluten.
Make it your own.
- Switch out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You can even leave it out and double the beans to make this hamburger helper without meat.
- Want to add more veggies? Feel free to add more that you like. Some of my favorites to sneak in are extra bell peppers and some squash or zucchini.
- Add more cheese. If you really want this extra cheese, feel free to add more cheese to your liking.
- Like more heat? Chop jalapeno and throw it in.
- Don't like kidney beans? You can sub your favorites like black beans or white beans or leave them out entirely for a bean-free option.
Serving.
I love that this gluten-free hamburger helper is filled with lots of protein and veggies, making it a full meal in itself. But, if you want, it's also the perfect dinner to add a simple side salad or roasted veggies on the side as well.
Storing and leftovers.
Leftover gluten-free hamburger helper will stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for up to five days. I will often make a double batch and put it aside in containers for an easy gluten-free meal-prepped lunch to eat all week.
To reheat leftovers, just pop a container into the microwave and heat in 30-second increments until it is warmed through.
More quick and easy gluten-free dinners.
Need more quick and easy gluten-free dinners for a busy schedule? I suggest you try my gluten-free beef stroganoff next. Here are some other favorites that are quick and delicious.
📖 Recipe
Easy Weeknight Gluten-free Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
- 1 Small Onion diced
- 1 ½ Cups Diced Bell Pepper of Choice
- 8 Ounces Chedder Cheese shredded
- 6 Ounces Tomato Paste
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 14 Ounces Kidney Beans optional
- 14 Ounces Diced Tomatoes
- ½ Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Cumin
- 1 ⅓ Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Oregano
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Box GF Pasta of Choice
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.1 Box GF Pasta of Choice
- While the pasta is cooking, cook and drain the ground beef.1 Pound Ground Beef
- Add the avocado oil, chopped onions, and bell pepper to the cooked beef. Allow them to cook until the vegetables are soft. Once the vegetables are soft, add the garlic.1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil, 1 Small Onion, 1 ½ Cups Diced Bell Pepper of Choice, 3 Cloves Garlic
- To the meat and vegetables, add the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and drained beans to the mixture.6 Ounces Tomato Paste, 14 Ounces Kidney Beans, 14 Ounces Diced Tomatoes
- Add the spices and stir to combine.½ Tablespoon Chili Powder, 2 Teaspoons Cumin, 1 ⅓ Teaspoons Onion Powder, 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt, 1 Teaspoon Oregano, ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- Once the pasta is done cooking, drain and add it to the meat and vegetables.1 Box GF Pasta of Choice
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it is melted, and enjoy!8 Ounces Chedder Cheese
Notes
- Switch out the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. You can even leave it out and double the beans to make this hamburger helper without meat.
- Want to add more veggies? Feel free to add more that you like. Some of my favorites to sneak in are extra bell peppers and some squash or zucchini.
- Like more heat? Add in a bit more cayenne pepper or even chop jalapeno and throw it in and enjoy!
- Don't like kidney beans? You can sub your favorites like black beans or white beans or leave them out entirely for a bean-free option.
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