Vegan hamburger helper at its best, homemade and delicious! This revised pasta classic is a quick and easy one-pot recipe, ready in minutes, tastes better than the original box mix and is healthy too! Instant pot or one-pot option (you can even add vegan cheese of you want)
You will love this vegan hamburger helper recipe made with vegan ground beef, macaroni pasta, Rotel tomatoes, garlic, onions, herbs and spices! Whipped up in the instant pot in less than 30 minutes!
Or make a one pot vegan hamburger helper to simmer on the stovetop, both versions turn out perfect every time!! A saucy meaty broth that's full of pasta! Crave-worthy as is but if you want extra creamy cheesy cheeseburger macaroni stir in some vegan cheddar cheese, vegan cream cheese, vegan sour cream, etc.. at the end or even cashew cream works!
An easy vegan dinner every kid needs in their life! Hamburger helper vegan all the way!! Wonderful all on its own or enjoy with vegan caesar salad, crispy warm bread and side of asparagus!
And If you prefer to use straight cut pasta rather than elbow macaroni noodles you can! whatever floats your boat.
When I was young for special occasions we brought out the tv trays (yah I know that dates me 😳) My Mom got out her electric large skillet and cooked up some Hamburger Helper, we sat in front of the tv and chowed down. Or it was frozen TV dinners or take out Chinese ( which we had to pick up haha) You know, all the healthy stuff. lol! Loved Walt Disney Sundays❤️
Jump to:
Easy vegan hamburger helper ingredients:
- Vegan ground beef: I like impossible burger, beyond meat or gardein beefless crumbles but hey use your favorite brand
- Pasta noodles: elbow macaroni is the choice you want for this. Could use small shells too. Feel free to use gluten-free if needed
- Veggies: onions, garlic and rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- Vegetable broth: for extra beefy flavor I use vegetable better than bouillon paste for vegan beef broth
- Spices: cumin, Chili Powder, oregano, nutritional yeast, vinegar, mustard
How to make vegan hamburger helper
This easy one-pot pasta dish can be made in the instant pot or on the stove, your choice. This is how it's done:
- First chop the onions and garlic and prep ingredients.
- Add the onions, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper to the instant pot and Saute, stirring occasionally, add the garlic and vegan ground meat and saute until meat is cooked.
- Add in veggie broth and the rest of the ingredients and stir. Cover with lid. Set the pressure valve to ‘Seal’ and pressure cook for 4 minutes.
- When time is up do a Quick release. When pressure is released, remove the lid. Stir the Hamburger Helper and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with hot sauce if you like (I like Valentina’s) and Enjoy! For Stovetop instructions and full recipe ingredients and instructions, see printable recipe card below.
Storing
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just reheat in the microwave. This recipe is not suitable for freezing (the pasta will be mushy once defrosted)
Frequently asked questions
Yes either use plant based "meat"instead of real ground beef or leave it out entirely, up to you.
Yes either use plant based "meat"instead of real ground beef or leave it out entirely, up to you.
Yes! My vegan meat-free version is delicious, super meaty full of flavor and bonus it’s super easy to make.
For sure! Just use gluten free macaroni
Well now you can make this meatless hamburger helper and feel good about it!
This vegan version is:
- full of flavor, pretty darn healthy,
- simple one-pot meal
- meat free
- Vegetarian, carnivore and kid approved! Woo hoo!
Want more vegan pasta recipes?
- Mushroom stroganoff
- Vegan lasagna
- Instant pot vegan mac and cheese
- Creamy garlic pasta
- Easy vegan spaghetti with meat sauce
Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Vegan Hamburger Helper - Instant Pot or One-Pot
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Vegan hamburger helper at its best, homemade and delicious! This revised pasta classic is a quick and easy one-pot recipe, ready in minutes, tastes better than the original box mix and is healthy too! Instant pot or one-pot option (you can even add vegan cheese of you want)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 small-medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 -12 oz package vegan ground beef like impossible meat or beyond beef or 1 and 1/2 cups Gardein
- 1 (281 ml) (10 oz) can of Rotel tomatoes with chilies, I use mild
- 3 cups vegan beef broth ( water + 1 tablespoon no beef bouillon)
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Chili powder, add little more if you want more heat
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni noodles
If wanting to add some vegan cheese see notes section
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- First chop the onions and garlic and get all the other ingredients ready.
- Set your Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ and once Hot add the onions, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes, until the onions are softening and browning a bit. Add the garlic and vegan ground beef. Sauté until the meat is cooked, about 4-6 minutes. Add in the rest of ingredients and stir. Cover with lid and secure it properly.
- Set the pressure valve to ‘Seal’ Then Press the “Pressure Cooker’ button and manually set the timer, high pressure for 4 minutes (with the + and - signs). It will then start automatically. When time is up carefully and quickly turn the pressure release valve from ‘seal’ to ‘Venting’ ( I use a dishcloth, it will be hot) Once all the pressure is released, remove the lid. Stir the Hamburger Helper and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Stir in some vegan cheese if using until all melty.
- Serve and enjoy! I like a couple dashes of hot sauce like Valentina’s
Stovetop Instructions:
- Set a heavy bottomed pot (dutch oven) to medium heat. when hot add the onions, oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for a couple of minutes until the onions are softening and browning a bit. Add the garlic and vegan ground beef. Sauté until the meat is cooked, about 4-6 minutes. Add the rest of ingredients and bring to a boil on high heat. Reduce to a simmer. Stir well and cover and cook for 7 minutes or until pasta is cooked. (I like to stir once in between cooking in case the noodles are sticking).
- Remove from the heat and let stand for 2 minutes, covered.
- Remove the lid, stir and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Stir in some vegan cheese if using until all melty.
- Serve and enjoy! I like a couple dashes of hot sauce like Valentina’s
Notes
- Vegan cheese: for a cheesy element you can add 1 to 2 cups of grated vegan cheese or a dollop or two of vegan cream cheese or a bit of cashew cream. I like recipe best as written
- Store: will keep covered in fridge for 4 to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing
This post was originally published February 2020 and has been updated. The recipe itself is unchanged
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Category: Mains,
- Method: Instant Pot or Stovetop
- Cuisine: American. Canadian
Keywords: vegan hamburger helper
Sherry Dietrich
This recipe was fantastic! I'm trying to sway my husband towards a more plant-based diet, but it's difficult getting him to give up meat. But this recipe was very helpful in convincing him that it's not all tasteless or boring.
★★★★★
Katie
Instant classic. Will make this often. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe not to mention great instructions
★★★★★
Verna
Yay!!! so happy you enjoyed it Katie, thanks so much for your awesome review! I really appreciate it.
Jem
We were amazed at the level of flavor this pasta has. I make it with beyond sausage have yet to try gardein. Thanks for this!
★★★★★
Verna
Awesome!! Thank you!
Jess
One of my favorite recipes ever!
★★★★★
Verna
Yay!! Thank you
F Baker
This is on a weekly rotation in our house. Kids can't get enough. This recipe alone is worth buying an instant pot for!
★★★★★
Verna
Thank you what a nice compliment!
Julie
This was a terrific recipe! The whole family loved it, even a sometimes hard to please five year old. I did have one question, though. My husband is not a big fan of chunky tomatoes. Do you think I could substitute crushed tomatoes for the diced ones to make it smoother for him? Either way, this one will be a new regular! Thanks very much!
★★★★★
Verna
Hi Julie, thanks so much for your feedback, I'm thrilled you all enjoyed the pasta. I would suggest giving the Rotel or regular diced tomatoes a whirl in the food processor. Crushed tomatoes would change the flavour and are thicker than diced. Have a great day!
Suzanna
Are any hamburger helper mixes vegan?? You know in the box Betty Crocker brand. Thank you
Verna
You'd have to check the back label they're are quite a few varieties out there
Melina
My kids (and mom and dad) LOVED this!!! This is so good I'm making it again. 🙂 We're not vegan but we're trying to eat less meat. This is even better than the "real" stuff.
★★★★★
Verna
Thank you so much Melina, I am thrilled your family enjoyed the pasta. Your comment just made my day!!
Brianna
Made this for the family and it was devoured! Great fast and easy meal.
★★★★★
Verna
Thank you!
Tara
I was going to make a vegetarian hamburger helper then I came across your vegan recipe and gave it a whirl. It did Not disappoint wow! Great flavours the dairy was not missed and I don’t eat meat so no problem there. Cheers!
★★★★★
Verna
thrilled you enjoyed it! Thank you for your comment Tara
Ginny B
Made this tonight.Easy and absolutely delicious! DH loved it and so did I. I used less cumin and less chili powder and Beyond Burger. This will be a regular for us. Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Verna
Thrilled you enjoyed it Ginny. Thanks so much for your comment!
Paco
Hello!
I have one quick question.
When you ask for 2 teaspoons yellow mustard do you mean prepared or powder?
I was not sure and wanted to ask. Thank you.
Verna
Hi Paco it's prepared yellow mustard. Enjoy!