Description
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is a delightful one-pot meal that transforms busy weeknight dinners into a hassle-free experience. This recipe combines tender ground beef with creamy cheddar cheese and perfectly cooked elbow macaroni, delivering comfort food at its finest. Made from scratch and ready in just 17 minutes, this dish captures the essence of home-cooked goodness without the fuss. Ideal for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, it’s customizable to suit every palate—add your favorite vegetables or spices to create a unique twist. Enjoy the rich flavors and satisfying textures that make this meal a surefire hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 1/2 onion (yellow, diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 16 oz elbow macaroni (dry)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- seasonings: kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to sauté mode and add canola oil.
- Once hot, add ground beef; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in diced onion and minced garlic; cook until softened.
- Add seasonings and mix well.
- Stir in tomato paste until combined.
- Pour in ¼ cup of broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits.
- Add elbow macaroni and remaining broth; stir to combine.
- Cancel sauté mode, lock lid, and set manual time for 5 minutes.
- Quick release steam after cooking; stir in half of the shredded cheese.
- Top with remaining cheese and let sit for about 2 minutes to melt before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg