This easy gluten-free hamburger helper is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s bursting with flavor. Packed with ground beef for protein to keep you full for longer, this homemade beef macaroni feeds a crowd. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s a great meal for busy weeknights, and is bound to be a family favorite! Dairy-free too.
What is Hamburger Helper?
Some of you may have fond memories of these boxed dinners from your childhood. But for those of you who haven’t heard of “Hamburger Helper” before, it is essentially a General Mills product under the Betty Crocker brand.
The boxed package usually includes a dried carbohydrate (either rice or pasta) as well as dried seasonings. Meant to be cooked with ground beef, water and sometimes milk, the hamburger helper is designed to be an easy one-dish meal.
There are different variations of Hamburger Helper, including the Classic Hamburger Helper and Cheeseburger Macaroni.
Homemade Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper
Since the Hamburger Helper brand does not have a certified gluten-free option, I figured, why not make our own version of Hamburger helper gluten-free and dairy-free?
Using gluten-free macaroni pasta and dairy-free cheese, this homemade version of comfort food is healthier than the boxed version, tastier and still easy to make! Kids will love it, and it’s an easy back-to-school dinner recipe that actually tastes better than the real thing!
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Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The ingredients needed for this gluten-free hamburger helper are readily available at the local grocery stores (nothing fancy required)!
- Easy to Make: Preparing this simple recipe is as uncomplicated as preparing the sauce and then mixing in the cooked macaroni and the shredded cheese. A delicious and easy weeknight meal that’s ready from scratch in just 40 minutes, and that the whole family will enjoy!
- Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part is that this healthy hamburger helper recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease, or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues.
Ingredient Notes + Substitutions:
- Onion: I used a yellow onion, but you may also use a red onion or white onion.
- Ground Beef: I used normal ground beef, but feel free to use lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork if you prefer. Alternatively, if you want to keep this recipe totally vegan, you may also use crumbled tofu or a meatless ground mix.
- Tomato Sauce: You can make your own tomato sauce, or use store-bought tomato sauce instead.
- Tomato: I used a large Roma tomato, but you can use any tomato you have on hand.
- Gluten-Free Elbow Pasta / Macaroni: I used gluten-free elbow macaroni noodles, but you can use other types of gluten-free noodles if you prefer (I recommend short pasta such as gluten-free rotini or gluten-free penne).
- Parsley: I like garnishing this gluten-free hamburger with fresh chopped parsley, but you can also use chopped chives or spring onions if you prefer.
- Mozzarella Cheese: I used shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese to keep the recipe dairy-free. You may also use other dairy-free cheeses such as shredded dairy-free cheddar cheese. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal shredded cheese instead.
How to Make Gluten-Free Hamburger Helper (Step by Step):
1. Sauté Onions
In a large skillet, Dutch oven or pot, sauté diced onions until onions are translucent.
2. Add Ground Beef
Add in ground beef and stir until just cooked.
3. Add Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce and Simmer
Add in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, add salt and pepper to taste, allow to simmer over long heat.
4. Cook Pasta
As sauce simmers, cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions.
5. Mix Macaroni with Sauce
Once the elbow noodles are cooked, mix them into the simmering sauce until evenly distributed.
6. Garnish and Serve
Serve this gluten-free dairy-free hamburger helper hot garnished with fresh parsley and shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese. Feel free to add a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Use Different Short Pasta: I used gluten-free elbow macaroni pasta, but you can use other types of gluten-free short pasta if you prefer (such as gluten-free rotini or gluten-free penne or even brown rice noodles).
- Substitute Minced Beef With Other Protein: I used normal ground beef, but feel free to use lean ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork if you prefer. Alternatively, if you want to keep this recipe totally vegan, you may also use crumbled tofu or a meatless ground mix.
- Optional Seasonings: I only seasoned this gluten-free hamburger helper recipe with salt and pepper, but feel free to add in a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, ground paprika or chili powder if you like!
Recipe FAQs:
To store, place the cooled gf hamburger helper in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop before eating.
Yes you can freeze this beef macaroni. To freeze, place the gluten-free dairy-free hamburger helper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.
If you rather not use ground beef, feel free to use any other type of ground meat (such as ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken etc). Just bear in mind that the taste will differ depending on which meat you use.
Other Gluten-Free Ground Beef Recipes to Make:
- Easy Beef Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Inside Out Egg Roll (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Dutch Oven Chili (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Stuffed Bell Peppers (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Easy Dinner Recipes to Make:
Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes to Love:
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Gluten-free Hamburger Helper Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This easy gluten-free hamburger helper recipe is a hearty, one-pan meal that’s bursting with flavor. Packed with ground beef for protein to keep you full for longer, this homemade beef macaroni feeds a crowd. Ready in 40 minutes, it’s a great meal for busy weeknights, and is bound to be a family favorite! Dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups of gluten-free tomato sauce
- 1 large tomato, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz gluten-free elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3/4 cup shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: In a large skillet, sauté diced onions until onions are translucent
- Add Ground Beef: Add in ground beef and stir until just cooked
- Add Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce and Simmer: Add in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, add salt and pepper to taste, allow to simmer over long heat.
- Cook Pasta: As sauce simmers, cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions.
- Mix Macaroni with Sauce: Once macaroni is cooked, mix macaroni into the simmering sauce until evenly distributed.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley and shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese.
Notes
Onion: I used a yellow onion, but you may also use red onions or white onions.
Ground Beef: I used ground beef, but feel free to use ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork if you prefer.
Tomato Sauce: You can make your own tomato sauce, or use store-bought tomato sauce instead.
Tomato: I used a large Roma tomato, but you can use any tomato you have on hand.
Gluten-Free Macaroni: I used gluten-free elbow macaroni pasta, but you can use other types of gluten-free short pasta if you prefer (such as gluten-free rotini or gluten-free penne).
Parsley: I like garnishing this gluten-free hamburger with fresh chopped parsley, but you can also use chopped chives or spring onions if you prefer.
Mozzarella Cheese: I used shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese to keep the recipe dairy-free. You may also use other dairy-free cheeses such as shredded dairy-free cheddar cheese. Alternatively, if you are not lactose-intolerant, feel free to use normal shredded cheese instead.
Storing/Freezing: To store, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop before eating. To freeze, place the gluten-free hamburger helper in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.
This recipe was originally posted in 2016, but has since been republished to include clearer step-by-step instructions, as well as recipe notes and substitutions.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: gluten-free hamburger helper
Hi! I made this last night and it was delicious! My son needs to try a gluten free diet for two weeks to see if that is the reason for his stomach upset. We all had it for dinner and it was soooo good! We were all pleasantly surprised where using gluten free foods is new for us! Great flavors!
Hi Laurie! So happy to hear that your son and family enjoyed this hamburger helper 🙂 Going gluten-free has a steep learning curve (especially for baked goods, not so much for savory foods), so I hope the blog can help make the transition a little easier! Thanks for your lovely feedback, and I hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
Felicia
★★★★
Hi Felicia!
This is indeed another great sumptuous and wholesome one-dish dinner meal for the family and pasta lovers alike!
Cheers!
Mum
★★★★★
Hi mummy! Yes, this is a great one-dish meal!