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❤️
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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 ½ 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
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon Chili powder, add little more if you want more heat
- ½ 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
Hannah says
For the vegan ground beef in the hamburger helper do you think I could use beyond meat or impossible burger?? They are my go to’s. and also I was thinking of adding some vegan cheese also. Would that work?
Verna says
You bet! they would work great! just cook meat first and then stir into the pasta at the end. The cheese would work well stirred in at the end as well! Enjoy!
Amanda Banden says
It’s a hit with the whole family and so easy to make.
This will become a regular dinner at our house.
Thanks so much!
Verna says
I'm thrilled your family enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your comment Amanda!xo
Marlena says
Our boys love this hamburger helper recipe!! My husband makes it once a week for them. They’d eat it everyday if we let then haha! Very good recipe, thanks so much for this!
Verna says
Oh thanks so much Marlena! You just made my day! glad they're enjoying the pasta!
Krista says
Made this tonight and it was awesome!! Will be added to my recipe book! Thank you!!
Verna says
Yay!! Thanks Krista, appreciate your comment. So happy you enjoyed it!
Jennifer says
Can’t wait to try this. We use to eat hamburger helper stroganoff when I was a kid! This recipe looks and sounds delicious!
Verna says
Thanks Jennifer! Enjoy!
Erinn says
This is the best vegan hamburger helper! we use Mac and cheese noodles for ours and love it!!
Verna says
Nice! So happy you're enjoying it Erinn! Thank you for commenting!
Justin @ DailyVeganMeal says
Very tasty recipe! We made it in the instantpot, and didn't have macaroni noodles. We used bowtie instead. We thickened the sauce up a little with some tomato paste. Thanks for the recipe!
Verna says
You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed the hamburger helper. Bowtie pasta sounds great! Thanks so much for your comment Justin
Kayla says
Very good! Had to cut back on chili powder and cumin. Had a very good taste! Will continue to make!
Verna says
Glad you enjoyed it Kayla! Thank so much for your for your comment! Have a great day!
Victoria says
I made this for supper last night, I added some chopped green and yellow peppers that needed to be used up. It was delicious, even my husband commented on it and he is a meat eater. Will definitely make again. Thanks !
Verna says
Thank you so much Victoria. So glad you and your husband enjoyed it. Love the addition of peppers!
Shay says
Is this high pressure or low?
Verna says
high pressure😊 I will add that in the instructions Shay. Have a great day enjoy the hamburger helper!
Kirsten says
I've never had the original hamburger helper so I have no idea how this compares. But it's great! It scratches that junk supper itch while being hearty, filling, healthy, and way more delicious abs satisfying. Thanks so much for the recipe!
I'm new to your site and with a little browsing this morning, have found a treasure trove of new recipes to try. Thank you!
Verna says
Oh thank you so much Kirsten! Thrilled you enjoyed the pasta! Happy recipe browsing😊
Tanya says
My kids are in love with this recipe!
Verna says
Oh I'm so glad they are enjoying the noodles! Really appreciate your comment Tanya. Have a great day!
Toni says
Would better than bouillon vegetable base work okay?
Verna says
I'm sure it will be fine. Try the no beef next time you make it! Enjoy Toni!
Brenda says
Could I use brown rice noodles?
Verna says
Hi Brenda, I haven't tried it with brown rice noodles but I can't see why it wouldn't work? Enjoy
Mandy says
Ok! We were blown away by this recipe! It is SO good! Our 2 young boys couldn't shovel it in fast enough! This is a new favourite around here! So appreciated thank you!
Verna says
that's great! so glad they liked it Mandy. Thank you so much for your comment!
Ashley says
Sooo Good! I just used a can of fire roasted tomatoes, all I had, chick pea macaroni, and a packet of concentrated veggie broth. Delish! Whole family ate it for lunch, and went back for seconds! Thank you for the recipe!
Verna says
I'm so glad you all enjoyed the recipe! Roasted tomatoes are a great choice too! Thank you so much for your comment Ashley!?