One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna

OK, I hate to admit this but I actually secretly love the Hamburger Helper meals. When I was in college and I lived on my own, I made them quite a bit. But now that I’m a mature adult, ahem, I am more conscious of what I’m eating and would actually like to know what goes in my food, I make these dishes myself. Last time I went grocery shopping and went down the aisle with all the boxes of Hamburger Helper I saw this lasagna version and I remembered that this was my favorite. Rather than pick up a box, being the food blogger that I am, I decided to make it myself. I’m glad I did, because this could not get any easier. With just a few ingredients, you have comfort food at its finest. I mean, in case you haven’t figured this out before, I am a pasta lover, so anytime you give me pasta loaded with meat and cheese, I’ll be your best friend for life. No lie!

Ground Beef – You’ll need a pound of ground beef. I used extra lean but if you just have regular ground beef, you might have to drain any excess fat after cooking it. Onion And Garlic – Must haves for some delicious flavor in our hamburger helper. Italian Seasoning – I love to use my homemade version but store bought works just as well. Marinara Sauce – You can make your own using my recipe here, or use store bought marinara sauce. Pasta – I love to use mafalda pasta which are little tiny lasagna sheets. I find these on amazon (link in recipe card) but any small shaped pasta will work just as well. You can even use regular lasagna sheets, and just break them into small pieces. Chicken Broth – I love using a low sodium or no sodium broth, this way I can control how much salt goes in my dish. Mozzarella Cheese – Lots of freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. You could use other cheeses if you wish such as provolone, emmental or even some havarti.

What Else Can I Add?

Feel free to play around with seasonings, herbs, etc. This is also a great recipe to sneak a few veggies into! The best part about making your own hamburger helper is you can make it however you want! Try some veggies like broccoli, mushrooms, or green peppers to name a few.

Do I Have To Use Mafalda Pasta?

Nope! You can use any small shaped pasta you prefer or have on hand. You can even use regular lasagna sheets and just break them into small pieces.

Can I Make This In Advance?

Absolutely! This is a great recipe to make in advance. Even though it only takes 30 minutes, sometimes we don’t have time for that. This hamburger helper lasagna can be made in advance and frozen for future meals! Scroll down to “freezing” section for full instructions.

How to Store This Hamburger Helper

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this would make a great lunch for the next day. Make sure the hamburger helper has come to room temperature completely before proceeding. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing Hamburger Helper

If you want to freeze your leftovers, let them cool completely then freeze in an airtight container. Your hamburger helper lasagna will stay fresh for up to 3 months if stored properly.