Vegan Hamburger Helper – Tender pasta and meaty plant-based ground in a creamy tomato sauce, finished with melty vegan cheddar cheese. This one-pot vegan hamburger helper is just like the classic boxed cheeseburger pasta, only beef and dairy free.
Hamburger Helper is a classic lazy dinner. Tomato-y cheeseburger pasta. How could it be more comforting? If it were vegan, of course. Which is why I knew I needed to create this plant-based version version.
Pasta is my usual lazy dinner, and a lot of the time I go for classic Vegan Buttered Noodles. But this vegan Hamburger Helper is so flavourful and quick to make, it’s a no-brainer.
This vegan hamburger helper is just as simple to make as the boxed version, ready in 30 minutes, and full of cheesy, tomato flavour.
What is Hamburger Helper?
Hamburger Helper is a boxed cheeseburger macaroni dish made with macaroni noodles and ground beef in a cheesy tomato sauce.
How Do You Make Vegan Hamburger Helper?
You can make homemade vegan hamburger helper from scratch in less than 30 minutes!
This one-pot vegan hamburger helper recipe starts by cooking onions and your plant-based ground of choice, then adding tomato paste, garlic, and spices to build flavour.
Next, add the tomato juice, vegetable broth, and plant-based cream, and bring to a simmer. Add the dried pasta and cook until tender, and lastly, add the vegan cheese.
This recipe could not be easier and yields the most comforting vegan pasta dish.
What kind of plant-based ground should I use?
I chose to replicate Hamburger Helper using a vegan plant-based ground for the best texture and flavour. You can use your favourite plant-based ground for this recipe! You’ll need 450 grams (1lb), so about 1 package depending on the brand.
My plant-based meat of choice is always Beyond Beef. It easily breaks apart while cooking and has a slightly chewy, meaty texture.
I like the taste and find you don’t need to flavour it very much, which is why I use it all the time, like in my Vegan Sausage Rolls Recipe.
What kind of pasta should I use?
Honestly, you can use just about any kind of pasta that you have on hand. Hamburger Helper uses macaroni noodles. I would recommend any spiral pasta, since it holds sauce well. I used Barilla Cavatappi (Cellentani) pasta for this recipe.
Ingredients
More about the ingredients in this recipe. The exact measurements are below.
Substitutions
Instructions
Cook the onions and vegan ground over medium heat, breaking the ground up with a wooden spoon, until browned.
Add the tomato paste, garlic, and spices, and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Tomato paste needs to be cooked over direct heat.
Add the tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and plant-based cream, and turn the heat up to high.
Once boiling, add the dried pasta and cover with a lid. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, or until al dente.
Add the vegan cheddar cheese and cover with a lid to melt.
Stir the cheese into the pasta, and top with fresh or dried parsley.
Serve vegan hamburger helper by itself or with a side salad.
Tips for Making Vegan Hamburger Helper
Storage
Store leftover vegan hamburger helper covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave or heat in a pan with a lid. Add some water, as the pasta will have absorbed a lot of the liquid.
FAQ’s
The best ground beef depends on your taste preference and cooking methods. Beyond Beef has a flavourful taste and works in just about any recipe, from burgers to pasta dishes.
Yes, you can use a frozen plant-based ground for this recipe! Follow the same instructions and make sure it’s fully cooked.
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta for this hamburger helper.
If your hamburger helper turns out dry and not saucy, the pasta is probably absorbing too much liquid. If you notice this happening, add more vegetable broth.
Vegan Hamburger Helper Recipe
Equipment
- 1 wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 450 grams plant-based ground
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ¼ cup plant-based cream
- 1 ½ cups dried spiral pasta I used Cavatappi
- 1 cup vegan cheddar cheese shredded
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the onion and plant-based ground and cook for 5-7 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break up the ground. Season with salt and pepper.
- Clear a space in the center of the pan and add the garlic, tomato paste, and chili powder. Cook for about 30 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add the vegetable stock, tomato sauce, and plant-based cream. Give everything a good stir, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions. The pasta should be tender, and most of the liquid absorbed. Stir every few minutes.
- Add the vegan cheddar cheese and cover with a lid for 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Stir into the pasta. I like to top the pasta with dried parsley before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Info
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values vary based on products used. Read our full Nutrition Disclaimer.
Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
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Erika Piper
Hey there, I’m Erika. I’ve been meat-free for over a decade.
I’m here to provide delicious and affordable plant-based recipes for anyone interested.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant-based eater or just curious about trying it out, I’m here to support you with my easy and accessible recipes.
