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    Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

    Instant Pot 30-Minute Meals Beef Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Instant Pot Beef Recipes August 20, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 48 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Ditch the box and make Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper instead! This all-in-one recipe for Hamburger Helper is a tastier, healthier version of the classic boxed staple and is ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

    Ditch the box and make this Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper instead. This quick and easy from-scratch meal is ready in less than 30 minutes!!

    Instant Pot Hamburger Helper served in white bowl topped with parsley.


    If you love Boxed Hamburger Helper or Homemade Hamburger Helper, this recipe for Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is going to quickly become a favorite meal.

    Made with ground beef, tender elbow noodles, and a perfectly spiced tomato sauce, this Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is a delicious, economical meal that is picky-eater-approved.

    And don't worry, it is just as easy to make as a boxed mix with the added benefit that this recipe is lower in sodium and preservative-free. Personally, I think the taste is a million times better as well. Win-win!

    Notes on Ingredients

    This recipe for Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is made with pantry staples and ground beef. While you can add a diced onion or minced garlic to the meat while it is browning,  I wanted to keep this recipe as simple and economical as possible. Not to mention kid-friendly! Some kids will turn their noses up at a dish if they see a speck of minced onion but will be none-the-wiser to onion powder.

    Ingredients for hamburger helper labeled on counter.
    • Ground Meat: Use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken for this recipe. Keep in mind that the leaner the meat you use, the lower in fat this recipe will be. 
    • Beef Broth: Be sure to use low-sodium beef broth to control the sodium level in the final dish. The broth helps to flavor the noodles as they cook, so don't be tempted to substitute it for water. 
    • Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika are used to add flavor to the Hamburger Helper without the need to saute an onion or garlic with the beef. 
    • Salt: One benefit of making Hamburger Helper from scratch is that you are in charge of the sodium added. Use low-sodium broth, low-sodium Worcestershire sauce, and low-sodium canned tomatoes, and then adjust the added salt as needed or desired.
    • Noodles: The cooking time for this recipe for Hamburger Helper has been determined using elbow noodles which are the classic choice. You can use whole wheat or regular elbow noodles with equal success. 
    • Worcestershire Sauce: I recommend always having Worcestershire sauce on hand in the refrigerator, as it lasts forever and adds incredible flavor and umami to so many dishes, this recipe for Hamburger Helper included. 
    • Tomato Sauce: Use canned tomato sauce or puree for this recipe. Opt for low-sodium if needed.

    How To Make Hamburger Helper in Instant Pot

    Step One: Saute Meat

    If you are using meat that is not lean, such as 80/20 ground beef, you will not need to add any oil to the inner pot before sauteeing the ground meat, as it will render off enough fat as it cooks. That said, if you are using lean ground meat, you will need to add 2 teaspoons of canola oil before proceeding to saute the meat. This will prevent the meat from sticking to the inner pot.

    • Turn Instant Pot to saute, add in the oil, and allow it to heat up for a couple of minutes. Some models will read hot once heated. If not, just give it a minute or two before you begin to saute the beef.
    • Once heated, add in the ground meat of your choice and allow it to brown, being sure to break the meat into small pieces as it cooks.
    • Once the meat is browned, turn off the pressure cooker by hitting cancel, drain off any fat if needed, and return the inner pot with the sauteed meat back to the pressure cooker.
    Browned ground beef inside inner pot.

    Step Two: Deglaze Pan

    Anytime that you use the saute function on an electric pressure cooker, you must scrape up the brown bits off the bottom of the inner pot. If you skip this step, you could very easily end up with a burn notice.

    • Once the meat is sauteed and the grease drained off, pour ½ cup of the broth into the inner pot.
    • Use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot, removing any browned bits.
    Beef Broth poured into inner pot on top of ground beef.

    Step Three: Layer Ingredients

    When cooking any type of pasta dish or dish with a tomato-based product, it is crucial to follow the direction in the order in which to layer the ingredients. You want to be sure the tomato product is not touching the bottom of the inner pot which can cause a burn notice and that the noodles are submerged in a liquid of some sort to ensure they fully cook.

    • Pour the remaining beef broth into the inner pot.
    • Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine.
    • Add the noodles to the inner pot and using the back of a spoon, gently push down to just submerge them into the liquid.
    • Pour the tomato sauce over the noodles. DO NOT stir! Leaving the tomato sauce on the top layer will prevent a burn notice AND help to keep the top of the noodles from drying out as they pressure cook.
    Ingredients for Hamburger helper layered inside inner pot of Instant Pot.

    Step Four: Pressure Cook

    I have perfected the perfect cooking time for elbow noodles using the Instant Pot so that they turn out perfectly cooked. Keep in mind using a different type of noodle will yield a different cooking time.

    • Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure to seal the vent knob.
    • Set to cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes by hitting manual or pressure cook and then using the +/- buttons to adjust until the timing reads "3."
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for EXACTLY 5 minutes--this is crucial for perfectly cooked noodles.
    • After 5 minutes have passed, do a quick release of any remaining pressure, by using a long spoon to move the venting knob from the sealed to the venting position. And be sure to stand away from the vent knob when releasing pressure to prevent burning yourself from the steam.
    • Gently stir together the pasta, meat, and tomato sauce together to evenly incorporate everything.
    Hamburger helper cooked inside instant pot.

    Recipe Modifications and Notes

    • Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper: If you would like a cheesy version of Hamburger Helper, stir in 4 ounces of diced Velveeta Cheese or 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese AFTER cooking. Place the lid back on the inner pot after stirring in the cheese and let it sit for a minute or two to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese.
    • Gluten-Free Instant Pot Hamburger Helper: I have had success making this recipe using Barilla Gluten-Free elbow noodles and gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. I can not recommend using other brands of gluten-free noodles as they tend to give off too much starch to work in this recipe.
    • Changing the Quantity: This recipe can be halved and prepared in any size pressure cooker. Or you can double the recipe if you have an 8-quart or larger pressure cooker. Simply double or half the ingredients and leave the cooking time the same.

    More Instant Pot One-Pot Meals

    • Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
    • Instant Pot Beef Stew
    • Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Instant Pot Spaghetti

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

    If you enjoyed this Instant Pot Hamburger Helper, I would love for you to leave a comment below.

    Instant Pot Hamburger Helper served in white bowl topped with parsley.

    Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

    Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is a simple, economical, family-favorite recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes featuring tender noodles, ground beef, and a deliciously seasoned sauce.
    4.95 from 20 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Pressure Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 423kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 pound lean ground beef or chicken/turkey
    • 3 cups low-sodium beef stock/broth
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • 1 teaspoons paprika
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 cup tomato sauce
    • 3 cups elbow noodles about 8 ounces
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Turn Instant Pot to saute, add oil, and let heat.   
    • Once the oil has heated, add in the meat and brown it fully, breaking it up into small pieces. Once the meat is cooked, turn off the pressure cooker. Drain off any fat and return the inner pot back to the inner pot.
    • Add 1 cup of beef broth to the inner pot and use a spatula or spoon to scrape up all the browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot.
    • Add in the remaining broth,garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir well to combine. 
    • Add in noodles and gently push them down into the sauce. You want the noodles just submerged into the liquid. Top the noodles with tomato sauce.
    • Set to cook on high pressure for 3 minutes (hit manual or pressure cook and adjust time by using +/_ buttons until the timer reads 3). 
    • Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release of any remaining pressure--be sure to stand away from the vent knob when releasing pressure. 
    • Fluff the noodles with a fork to incorporate everything. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed and serve.

    Equipment Needed

    • Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

    Notes

    Ground Meat: This recipe works using ground turkey, beef, or chicken. 
    Noodles: Both whole wheat and regular elbow noodles work. I find Barilla brand of gluten-free noodles works best if making this gluten-free. Using another shape of noodles may result in needing to change the cooking time, so I don't recommend it. 
    To double this recipe, simply double the ingredients. The cook time will remain the same, it will just take a bit longer to come to pressure. 
    Storage Instructions: Leftover Hamburger Helper can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, you may want to add in a splash of beef stock or water, as the noodles tend to absorb the sauce as they sit. 
    Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper Instructions: If you would like a cheesy version of Hamburger Helper, stir in 4 ounces of diced Velveeta Cheese or 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese AFTER cooking. The residual heat should be enough to melt the cheese. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 423kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 719mg | Potassium: 785mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 3.5mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2022. 

    « Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas
    Caesar Salad Dressing »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Reginia

      September 17, 2022 at 8:39 pm

      5 stars
      I Made it today, very good and easy to make. I did make the box version when I was younger but the IP version is 100% better. I used ground turkey and it came out perfectly. I love all of your recipes. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 18, 2022 at 8:18 am

        Thank you so much Regina! I love hearing you enjoy my recipes 🙂

        Reply
    2. Paige Westley

      August 22, 2022 at 10:41 am

      Ive seen these instant pot hamburger helper meals around a lot lately but have never tried them! I was never a fan of hamburger helper but these look so good! I am definitely going to need to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 23, 2022 at 7:15 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. J.P. Shandra

      April 21, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Kristen,
      Great recipe. I have had my IP for a couple years now, and came across your cooking blog then as well.
      Your site is my first stop when searching. I’m blind and your recipes are detailed, easy to follow, and always what’s expected. Thanks for that!
      This was a winner!! Tasty and not from a box. My cooking collection and IP confidence greatly improved with your help. More adventurous now. 😊

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 22, 2021 at 6:50 am

        Hi J.P. First, I am so grateful you found my site easy to navigate and the recipes easy to follow. I am also glad you enjoyed this recipe and hope you find many more to enjoy!

        Reply
        • Amanda

          November 10, 2021 at 5:43 pm

          5 stars
          Excellent. I put diced onion in with the meat while it was Browning. And added the cheese mentioned in the notes at the end. The macaroni was quite soft. 9 kids ages 2-19 and my husband, we all loved it. Thank you.

          Reply
          • Helen

            December 15, 2022 at 7:56 am

            Try pressure cooking the elbow pasta 1 minute and Natural release only 3 minutes or less if you like al dente pasta. For all kinds of pasta you need to take the lowest cook time on the box, cut in half then subtract 2. That is how long you pressure cook your pasta for. As for pressure release you might need to play around with it. Pasta gets soft quickly when pressure cooking.

            Reply
    4. Marc Krasner

      February 04, 2021 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      Simple review... loved it! Kids loved it (tough critics!). Very easy to make. Better than the box!!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        February 04, 2021 at 11:48 am

        That is huge praise! Thanks for sharing Marc.

        Reply
        • Jamie Lynn Allen

          June 20, 2021 at 5:30 pm

          Hi. I only have one can of french onion beef stk. W that work?

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            June 21, 2021 at 6:40 am

            Hi Jamie Lynn! Is it the condensed soup? If it is, that will not work. If not, it will definitely add a lot of flavor and sodium so I would omit the salt.

            Reply
    5. Gayle

      January 25, 2021 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      A question concerning the browning of the hamburger. In another post I received (I'm new to this), you had directions for browning 1-2 lbs of hamburger as a block, i.e. basically the way it comes in the packaging, and then breaking it up. Can the hamburger for this recipe be browned this way?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 25, 2021 at 11:28 am

        Hi Gayle! That recipe was for cooking FROZEN ground beef. If you want to start with frozen beef, then yes, start the recipe following those directions in the link 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jane Saunders

      January 22, 2021 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      I was drawn to this recipe because of the fun name (I'm from the UK) - it's a keeper of a recipe. So good.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 22, 2021 at 2:23 pm

        So happy you gave it a try and enjoyed Jane!

        Reply
    7. Katie

      January 22, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!

      Reply
    8. Dayna

      July 10, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      Silly question but I was confused by the "about 8 ounces" listed in gray after the 3 cups of noodles: "3 cups elbow noodles about 8 ounces". It's 3 cups total, right? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 10, 2020 at 9:18 pm

        Yes Danya, 3 cups.

        Reply
      • David

        March 22, 2022 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks for sharing this recipe. I made it today with a few changes. I added diced tomatoes and sautéed onions and doubled everything except the beef stock. It was truly delicious. I did get a burn food notice but when I released the steam and stirred it it was fine. I had two helpings. I think next time I’ll make a single batch instead of double.

        Reply
        • Kristen Chidsey

          March 23, 2022 at 6:40 am

          Hi David! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed so much! I am sorry you had a burn notice, although it sounds like it may have been a false alarm. Just be sure to fully scrape off browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot and then layer the tomatoes on top of the pasta and that should help.

          Reply
    9. Nikki

      July 01, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      Could I add a can of diced tomatoes to this? My husband likes his chunky, lol.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 01, 2020 at 4:47 pm

        ABSOLUTELY!!! My kids hate the chunks, hence why I leave it out. Just add in place of tomato sauce.

        Reply
    10. Amanda Rivera

      April 04, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      When doubling the recipe, do you need to extend the time on pressure cook?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 04, 2020 at 7:23 pm

        No, but it will take longer to come to pressure--so keep that in mind 🙂

        Reply
        • Gwen Lindsey

          February 16, 2022 at 2:22 pm

          If doubling the recipe doesn't require doubling the time, but the pot will take longer to come to pressure, wouldn't it be best to reduce the total time under pressure? Since the building of pressure is also cooking to some extent. Love your site!

          Reply
          • Kristen Chidsey

            February 16, 2022 at 5:14 pm

            That is a great question Gwen! After many experiments, I have found it is best to just keep the cooking time the same.

            Reply
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    Ditch the box and make Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper instead! This all-in-one recipe for Hamburger Helper is a tastier, healthier version of the classic boxed staple and is ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

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    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    Ditch the box and make Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper instead! This all-in-one recipe for Hamburger Helper is a tastier, healthier version of the classic boxed staple and is ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish!

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