Ditch the box and make this Instant Pot Hamburger Helper just as easily! 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!
Made with ground beef, tender elbow noodles, and a perfectly spiced tomato sauce, this Instant Pot version of Hamburger Helper, sometimes referred to as American Goulash, is a family-favorite meal.
My husband loves Hamburger Helper. As a child, he loved the boxed version but as an adult, only my homemade version will do.
While the stove-top version of this classic is simple to make, making it in the Instant Pot is EASIER and mostly hands-off.
Not only is this recipe picky-eater approved, economical to make, and incredibly tasty, but it is also so much better for you than the boxed version. It is lower in sodium, preservative-free, and you can control the quality of ingredients. Win-win!
We make this simple meal often at our house and after seeing just how perfectly this dish turns out, I do believe Instant Pot Hamburger Helper will become a staple Instant Pot recipe at your house as well!
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Meat: Use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken for this recipe. I personally prefer using lean ground sirloin for flavor and because it has very little grease.
- Noodles: Elbow noodles are classic in Hamburger Helper and this cooking time has been determined using elbow noodles. To use another type of noodle may result in needing to cook longer. I have used Gluten-Free Barilla elbow noodles with success in this recipe. I can not speak to success using other brands of gluten-free noodles.
How To Make Hamburger Helper in Instant Pot
Step One: Saute Beef
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Turn Instant Pot to saute and allow to heat up.
- Once heated, add in the ground meat and brown up, breaking up into small pieces as the meat cooks.
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Once the meat is browned, turn off the pressure cooker and drain off any fat if needed.
Step Two: Scrape up Browned Bits
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Add in beef broth to Instant Pot and scrape up all the browned bits off the bottom of the Instant Pot. This will help to prevent a burn notice.
Step Three: Add in Remaining Ingredients
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Add in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, paprika, and tomato sauce and stir to combine well.
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Add in noodles and gently push down into sauce--do NOT stir into sauce. You want the noodles just submerged into the sauce.
Step Four: Pressure Cook
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Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes.
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Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.
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Then do a quick release of any remaining pressure--be sure to stand away from the vent knob when releasing pressure.
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Stir in Worcestershire sauce into the hamburger helper and serve.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- How to Double the Recipe: To double your recipe, simply double the ingredients. The cook time will remain the same, it will just take a bit longer to come to pressure.
- Avoiding the Burn Notice: There are 3 things you can do to help avoid getting the burn notice when cooking in your Instant Pot.
- Start with a clean inner pot. Make sure the bottom of your inner pot is clean from residue from former recipes--I use steel wool to get that bottom perfectly clean in between uses.
- After browning the meat, add beef stock and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Do not STIR in noodles, just gently nudge them down until covered with the liquid.
- 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.
- Adding Flavor: Feel free to saute 1 small onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic with the beef. I use garlic and onion powder instead for a dish that is approved for picky palates.
More Instant Pot Beef Recipes
If you enjoyed this Instant Pot version of goulash or hamburger helper, I would love for you to leave a comment below.
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
This easy instant pot version of Hamburger Helper, or American Goulash, is ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish and is a family favorite meal!
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Servings: 6 people
Calories: 423kcal
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
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 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 stand away from vent knob when releasing pressure.
- Fluff the noodles with a fork to incorporate everything. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed and serve.
Equipment Needed
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
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This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2021.
Ash
I used no name tricolour rotini (not gluten free) and had to add 3 mins. Other than that it was the perfect recipe!! My kids loved it!!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Ash! I am glad you enjoyed the flavor. If you choose to use another type of noodle other than elbow noodles, the cook time will change--just as it does when you are boiling noodles on the stove 🙂 A good rule of thumb is to cut the suggested cook time in half and then let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes.
Victoria Krulikoski
I found it to be the opposite. I got a burn message without mixing the noodles in. I scaped the bottom, stirred and put back on.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Victoria! I am sorry for your issues. It sounds like you may not have scraped off the browned bits of ground meat off the inner pot. Be sure to do that really well. Also, be sure to turn OFF Your instant pot after sauteing so that the liquid does not evaporate. I hope that helps.
April Peters
Do you think this would work using just 2 cups of beef stock? Maybe adding more tomato sauce?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi April! You need thin liquid to cook the noodles. I would use water (and extra seasoning) if you don't have enough stock.
April Peters
Great thanks so much!!! Want to make this tonight but only had 2cups of beef stock
Tynesha Carriere
I made this last night. First time making pasta in my IP and it was magical how the liquid just disappeared 😛 I added some shredded marble cheese and parmesan cheese because who doesn't like cheese.
Has anyone tried freezing after cooking? Good or bad idea?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tynesha! Isn't it amazing to see how well it works?
I have frozen leftovers before. It freezes well and reheats well after being defrosted.
angela
Question for Instant Pot Hamburger Helper: do you add the noodles uncooked or cooked? Could you use ramen noodles?
Thank you so much! Can't wait to fix this!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Angela, I add the noodles UNCOOKED. I would not use ramen noodles as they have a different cook time and would require a change in the amount of liquid used. Hope you enjoy 🙂
Amy
Would I be able to double this recipe?
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, as long as it does not fill your Instant Pot more than 2/3 of the way full 🙂
Tim Llewellyn
Kristen, or instead of Mac
This sounds really good, my family likes meals like this. Do you ever add cheese to this or instead of Mac. add sliced potatoes. Also I have never used a pressure cooker, does it work well and is it easy to clean?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tim! It is one of our favorites! We do like to stir shredded cheese in at the end of the cook time--and it is delicious. As for using potatoes--that would take quite a bit of tinkering with to get right, so I would not recommend it. I ADORE my instant pot. You can read more about my Instant Pot 101 (https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-101/)--or I have a stove top version (https://amindfullmom.com/clean-eating-hamburger-helper-skillet-sundaysupper/) if that is better for you.
Deborah
How well would this work with Tinkyada Brown Rice noodles? Also, what kind of worcestershire sauce do you use? Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Deborah, I have used Barilla GF pasta with success but have not tried this recipe with the Tinkyada brand--however, I would think it would work, as long as this brand does not create too much foam when cooking (which then would not be suitable for the Instant Pot). Sorry I don't have a more definitive answer. As for Worcestershire sauce, I use French's but any brand will work.
Jessica Formicola
After making this quick and easy Instant Pot version, I'll never buy the boxed stuff again! Thanks so much for sharing!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! So glad you enjoyed Jessica!
Taryn
This brought me right back to childhood! But it was so much better than the boxed stuff!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you were able to enjoy a childhood favorite.