If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, you already know why it's such a classic! This Homemade Gluten Free Hamburger Helper gives you everything you love about the original. Creamy sauce, tender pasta, and seasoned ground beef, but made with simple, real ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It's a one-pan meal, kid-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights when cooking needs to be easy.
Homemade Hamburger Helper from Scratch
Believe it or not, we used to eat the boxed stuff, a lot. The problem? Most boxed versions aren't gluten free and come with a long list of ingredients you can't pronounce.
It was easy and quick, and looked like the perfect homemade meal at the end of a busy day. That was, until our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and we realized many of our go-to quick meals were filled with not only gluten, but a long list of other questionable ingredients too.
At the time, she had just turned seven and this was one of her favorite meals. For all the moms out there, you know how picky they can be at this age and you do whatever you can to have a peaceful mealtime, right?
So I quickly had to get creative and come up with a replacement!
Why You'll Love This Gluten Free Hamburger Helper
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
- One-pan, minimal cleanup
- Family-friendly and filling
This is one of those recipes that's great to keep in your back pocket when you need something fast but still homemade!
Looking for more easy weeknight dinner recipes that are gluten free? Be sure to check out my collection of gluten free 30 minute meals.
What ingredients do I need to make this Gluten Free Hamburger Helper Recipe?
This homemade version is super kid-friendly and takes 20 minutes at the max to come together! It's made with ingredients we typically have in the pantry, and there's no reason to dirty more than one dish because this skillet hamburger helper comes together in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time to relax after dinner!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ground Beef. Or ground turkey if you prefer.
- Gluten-Free Pasta. I use Barilla gluten free elbows, but gluten free rotini pasta works great too!
- Beef Broth
- Marinara Sauce
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper. Feel free to sub out the dried spices for fresh. Saute ½ diced onion and 1 teaspoon minced garlic with the ground beef.
- Cheese is optional to make a Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper
Easy Variations
This homemade Hamburger Helper recipe is easy to customize:
- Healthier option: Use ground turkey.
- Veggie boost: Add peas, spinach, or diced bell peppers
- Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce
- Dairy free: Use a plant based cheese alternative
It's a great base recipe you can adapt to your family's tastes.
How to make this Gluten Free Hamburger Helper Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks, then drain any excess grease.
Step 2: Add Flavor
Stir in seasonings and add tomato sauce. Stirring to coat everything evenly.
Step 3: Add Pasta & Liquid
Pour in the gluten free pasta and broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Simmer Until Tender
Cover and let the mixture cook until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Make It Creamy
Once the pasta is cooked, stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy.
Tips for the Best Gluten Free Results
- Use short gluten free pasta for even cooking
- Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick
- Simmer gently: boiling can break down gluten free pasta
- Add extra broth if the sauce thickens too much
Gluten free pasta brands vary, so keep an eye on texture as it cooks.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it sits, so add a splash of milk or broth when reheating. This also makes a great meal-prep option for lunches during the week.
That's it! Comfort food made from scratch in under 30 minutes. If you're craving nostalgic comfort food without the boxed ingredients, this homemade gluten free Hamburger Helper is the answer. It's easy, satisfying, and proof that gluten-free dinners can still be simple and affordable.
Have you tried this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!
Let's eat!
Homemade Hamburger Helper
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Gluten Free Pasta we use Barilla GF Elbows
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 cups Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- Pepper to taste
Optional
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese shreds regular or vegan for a "cheeseburger" hamburger helper
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet on medium heat breaking into small pieces. Drain any excess grease.
- Add spaghetti sauce, broth, and seasonings to the pan and mix well.
- Stir in pasta and bring to a boil. Cover and lower the heat to let simmer until pasta is cooked. Depending on what type of pasta you use, follow the time according to the package directions, usually 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Once pasta is cooked through, uncover. Sauce will thicken as it stands. If using cheese, stir in until melted.
Kelly says
My family and I love this recipe!
They are super picky, don’t even realize that’s it’s gluten free!
Thriving Gluten Free says
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback Kelly! I'm so glad your picky kids loved the recipe too, that's a win for sure!!
Christina says
Very simple and delicious. Thank you. Made as stated just adding a little extra cheese. Thank you for this!
Thriving Gluten Free says
You're welcome! So happy you enjoyed the recipe!