The BEST Vegan Hamburger Helper Recipe
What’s for dinner? How about this nostalgic vegan hamburger helper recipe? It’s quick, kid-approved, adult-adored, and can be enjoyed at the dining table with a side of veggies or in front of the television TV-dinner style. We won’t judge. In fact, we may be doing the same tonight. This dairy-free vegetarian hamburger helper dinner is a must-try for everyone who enjoys comfort food!
The best part is how simple it is to make. You just need a batch of homemade vegan mac and cheese (or favorite boxed dairy-free mac and cheese brand) and a tasty plant-based ground (or chopped vegan meatballs) that comes together in one pot. It’s budget-friendly, easy to customize with your favorite add-ins, and makes great leftovers for lunch the next day. Once you try it, this vegan cheeseburger casserole might just become a regular weeknight go-to.
If you’re drooling like we are, let’s get cooking—so we can start eating sooner!
Why This Is the Best Hamburger Helper Recipe Around
The appeal of both mac and cheese and a juicy hamburger needs no explanation. This recipe is widely loved by vegan parents and vegan kids too!
- Super Speedy. If you’re in a time crunch between after-school activities and evening Zoom meetings, there’s no time to fuss with a complicated meal. In less than half an hour, you can have a complete homemade dinner.
- No Experience (or Skill) Required. Not all that confident in the kitchen? Want to teach the kids to cook? Whatever the case may be, this is an excellent introduction to food prep that goes beyond the basics but is still easy enough for anyone to pull off, no problem.
- Balanced Vegan Meal in One Bowl. You’ve got a satisfying serving of fiber from the pasta and a complete protein from the meatless grounds. No need to make separate sides or go through tons of dishes to get the full package.
- Allergy-Friendly. This recipe is naturally dairy-free, eggless, and meatless. You can effortlessly make it gluten-free by simply using your favorite gluten-free mac and cheese (see FAQs for suggestions!) Depending on the brands of mac and cheese and meatless grounds you choose, it can be suitable for nut-free, seed-free, and soy-free diets as well.
- Omnivore and Picky Eater Approved. If you have just one chance to convince a staunch omnivore that vegan alternatives should be the first and only choice, this is your secret weapon that will finally win the war. Victory will be yours after the first bite; this is a classic example of such convincingly authentic flavors that everyone will ask, Are you SURE this is vegan?
Key Ingredients in This Vegan Hamburger Helper
It doesn’t take much to whip up a heaping helping of comfort food. With a well-stocked spice rack and prepared pantry, any night could turn into a special occasion!
- Vegan Ground “Beef” Crumbles – Yes, you can (and should) make hamburger helper without meat! No one will miss it when you use amazingly authentic vegan “beef” instead. Beyond Meat hamburger helper is a guaranteed hit and no one will be able to tell the difference. Feel free to use any similar sort of plant-based crumble (or plant protein) you like.
- Vegan Mac and Cheese – Start from scratch to make your own or take it easy by getting a head start with a packaged version. You’ll need either two (6-ounce) boxes of store-bought boxed vegan mac and cheese, or 5 cups of fully prepared mac.
- Tomato Sauce – The most basic sort of tomato sauce is perfect here, since you have plenty of bold spices added into the mix later. Look for cans that boast only tomatoes, maybe with salt or oil added at the most.
- Vegetable Broth: Layer subtle, savory flavor into every step with this instant umami enhancer. For a richer, meatier flavor, try using mushroom broth or even vegan beef-style broth, which you can find at many health food stores or online.
- Chili Powder – Whether you like yours mild or wild, chili powder adds a world of powerful flavors in just one pinch. If you’re not such a fan of the heat, start by using half as much and then adding more to taste.
How to Make
This vegan hamburger helper casserole is a hearty, one-dish meal packed with all the flavors of a classic burger. It’s easy to make, super cheesy, and perfect for weeknights or potlucks.
Step 1: Cook the Aromatics – Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until soft and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Spices – Mix your spices in a small bowl, then stir them into the onions. Let the flavors bloom for about 30 seconds.
Then, Step 3: Brown the Vegan Ground – Add the vegan ground crumbles. Break them apart with your spoon and stir until coated with seasoning.
Step 4: Make the Sauce – Pour in tomato sauce, veggie broth, vinegar, and a pinch of sugar. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Mix and Serve – Cook your favorite vegan mac and cheese. Stir it together with the “beef” mixture, top with fresh herbs, and dig in!
Serving Tips and Suggestions For This Vegan Dinner Recipe
The beauty of homemade hamburger helper is that you can fine-tune the ingredients to perfectly fulfill your cravings. It also means it’s a snap to make every batch a little bit different, so no one ever gets bored.
- Veg Out! – Veggie hamburger helper is the stuff of vegetable-lovers’ dreams. Swap out the meatless crumbles for riced cauliflower, minced mushrooms, chopped walnuts, or a combination of all three. You can also keep the “meat” and simply add more of your favorite veggies, like diced zucchini, roasted green peas, or fresh tomatoes.
- Eat Your Greens – Never struggle to get dark, leafy greens into your daily diet again. Simply add a handful or two of chopped kale, collard greens, spinach, or arugula into the pot during the last minute of cooking, stirring until it’s lightly wilted.
- Switch Up the Sauce – If you like it creamy but not always cheesy, try using pasta tossed with your favorite vegan alfredo sauce, ranch dressing, or dairy-free sour cream.
- Herb Your Enthusiasm – Incorporate a fresh infusion of seasonal flavor by mixing in minced basil (or prepared traditional pesto,) cilantro, or oregano.
- Hot Stuff – Instead of chili, there are plenty of other fiery spice blend to light up your night, such as curry powder, garam masala, Ethiopian berbere, Cajun or Creole seasoning, or Jamaican jerk.
FAQs
Leftover vegan hamburger helper keeps really well! Just let it cool to room temperature, then scoop it into an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of plant-based milk to bring back the creaminess.
Yes, you can easily freeze this recipe! Let it cool first, then place it in freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat with a little dairy-free milk to make it creamy again.
Absolutely! Just swap the regular vegan-friendly pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta. Some plant-based ground options are already gluten-free (such as Beyond Meat, Abbot’s, and Noble Plate), but check the label to be sure. With that simple swap, you’ll have a cozy, gluten-free vegan hamburger helper that tastes just as good as the classic.
At the moment, our favorite brands are Daiya (both dry-powdered and deluxe), Annie’s Homegrown Vegan Mac, Amy’s Vegan Rice Mac and Cheeze, and Jovial Organic Gluten-Free Vegan Mac.
More Quick-Fix Pasta Recipes To Try
Movie night, anyone? Queue up one of these life-changing documentaries to watch as you enjoy this recipe. Every film on the list is a must-see, truly.
The BEST Vegan Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, avocado oil, canola oil, olive oil, etc.
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound vegan ground "beef" crumbles
- ½ cup canned tomato sauce
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
- 2 boxes vegan mac and cheese, prepared according to package instructions
- Chopped chives, to garnish, green onions, or cilantro, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saute pan, add vegetable oil and warm over medium heat. Once hot, add onion and garlic and cook until translucent.
- In a small bowl, add the chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, oregano, and cayenne and mix together. Add to the sautéed onions and mix together with a spatula.
- After thirty seconds, add the vegan ground beef crumbles to the pan and separate with the spoon, mixing with the onion and seasoning mixture.
- Stir in tomato sauce, vegetable broth, vinegar, and sugar and simmer for about ten minutes.
Plant-Based Mac 'N Cheese
- For this step, you can reach for your preferred brand or homemade version of plant-based mac 'n cheese.
- Prepare the vegan mac and cheese according to package instructions.
- In a serving bowl, add the mac and cheese and the ground “beef” mixture, mix together, garnish with chopped chives, green onion, or cilantro, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This delicious vegan hamburger helper recipe was created by Jessica Ourisman.
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So great to have a vegan version of this! Looks delicious
Wow! This really brings me back! I’m so excited to have this recipe whenever I feel like a classic, nostalgic meal. Yum!
Prefect vegan meal! Thank you for sharing it!
This looks unreal! Such a delicious recipe 🙂
Forever a classic! Love this vegan version so much!
Such a yummy comfort meal!
The ultimate vegan comfort recipe!! Great to make tacos with, too!
Wow, this is like the ultimate vegan comfort food. Great recipe, thank you for sharing it.
Hitting ALL the nostalgia buttons with this recipe! Love each and every ingredient…and this has given me inspiration to “veganize” another old favorite (Macaroni Beef Sauté). Thank you for this!
I love this easy vegan dinner!! It’s so exciting to have so many vegan boxed Mac and cheese options to choose from…for the days when I’m too lazy to make my own. My little one loved this recipe and I’ll definitely be making it again!