Description

This Healthy Hamburger Helper recipe is a nutritious twist on the classic comfort food favorite. Made without pasta and featuring buttery beans for added fiber and protein, it’s a quick and hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights. Ground beef is cooked with aromatic onions and garlic, seasoned with chili powder and tomato paste, then simmered with beef broth and beans before being finished off with melted sharp cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 (15-ounce) cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
¾ cup low-sodium beef broth
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Finely chopped parsley for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Brown the beef and onion: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and finely chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with your spatula until the beef is fully browned.
Season the beef: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Cook for an additional minute to blend the flavors.
Add the broth and beans: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then fold in the drained and rinsed butter beans to heat through.
Make it cheesy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the grated sharp cheddar cheese and stir until it is melted and evenly distributed. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

For a lower-fat option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.
You can swap butter beans with cannellini or great northern beans if preferred.
Adjust chili powder to your preferred spice level or add a pinch of cayenne for heat.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
Use gluten-free beef broth to make this recipe gluten-free.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American