Vegan Hamburger Helper

Vegan hamburger helper is a plant-based version of a family favourite. It's a delicious one-pot meal that's super easy to make and is just as comforting as the regular hamburger helper - only 100% plant-based!

Hamburger helper has been a staple dinner for families for decades, but the original version is obviously not plant-based.

If you're a vegan craving the comfort food of your childhood, here's some good news. You can easily make a vegan hamburger helper version that's still satisfying and comforting.

This vegan hamburger helper recipe consists of plant-based "mince" and elbow macaroni smothered in a dairy-free cheesy sauce.

Why you'll love this vegan hamburger helper

• It's easy to make in a single pot. This is a one-pot vegan hamburger helper recipe, which means that the pasta is cooked right in the sauce.
• It's completely dairy-free. Just like in the case of the original hamburger helper recipe, this dish has milk and cheese, but they're both plant-based. The sauce ends up creamy without any dairy insight.
• You can easily customize it. Add some extra veggies and play with the level of heat to make this vegan helper your own.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil - You only need a tablespoon of olive oil to cook the onion and plant-based mince in. You can sub with sunflower or canola oil.

Onion - Both yellow and red onions would work well in this recipe.

Plant-based mince - Use your favourite plant-based mince in this hamburger helper recipe. I'm in the UK, and I like the one from Meatless Farm.

Make sure you allow it to brown a bit for the best flavour.

Aromatics - A mix of crushed fresh garlic, paprika, oregano and red chilli flakes will infuse the dish with loads of flavour.

You can use chilli powder instead of paprika and garlic powder instead of fresh garlic.

Passata - Feel free to adjust the quantity of passata to your likening.

Plant-based milk - Use your favourite plant-based milk. Cashew milk, soy milk and almond milk are all good options.

Elbow macaroni - This is the traditional pasta shape for hamburger helper, but you can also use shells or any other kind of small pasta.

Plant-based cheddar - Violife cheddar is my favourite plant-based cheese for recipes like this. It melts quite well, and the flavour is on point.

How to make meatless hamburger helper

Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Add the plant-based mince and brown it for 5-6 minutes, breaking it down with your spoon as it cooks.

Stir in the garlic, paprika, oregano and chilli flakes and continue to cook for another minute.

Add the passata, vegetable stock, plant-based milk and bring to a boil.

Stir in the elbow macaroni, cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Stir in the plant-based cheddar until melted. Season to taste, divide into bowls and serve immediately, sprinkled with some freshly chopped parsley if you like.

Leftovers and storage

• This vegan hamburger helper will keep well in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.
• You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of plant-based milk if it looks too dry.
• Vegan hamburger helper can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Recipe notes and tips

• You can add one or two tablespoons of nutritional yeast for an even more pronounced cheese taste.
• This vegan hamburger helper is great on its own, but you can also serve it with a leafy green salad, bread rolls or vegan garlic bread.
• You can sneak in some veggies to make this meat-free hamburger helper a bit healthier. Shredded zucchini, bell peppers, frozen peas or broccoli are all good ideas.

If you liked this vegan hamburger helper recipe, you might also like some of my other easy vegan one-pot recipes:

• One-Pot Vegan Jambalaya
• Easy One-Pot Vegan Chili Mac
• Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
• Creamy Vegan Gnocchi Soup
• Vegan Spanish White Bean Stew

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