Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
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Put the box away and make this homemade hamburger helper. This Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is quick and easy, plus the entire family will love it! It brings me back to my childhood and I remember eating it at my parent’s table. The flavor is amazing and I love that it’s an easy dinner recipe in my pressure cooker. Put this Cheeseburger Macaroni on your regular rotation!
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
If you were like me, you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, right? It was always a favorite meal in our house! And I know it was a favorite for Mom too because it was quick and easy to make. We ALL love that!
BUT, now that the holidays are here and gone you have one gift you haven’t opened yet, right? Or well maybe you’ve opened it, but you’re not quite sure you want to cook with it yet? I’m talking about your Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot!
Maybe you’ve been looking at instant pot recipes like; Pressure Cooker Swedish Meatballs, Instant Pot Beef Taco Soup, Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo or Pressure Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
The pressure cooker can seem a little daunting, right? Well, I’m here to tell you, don’t be afraid! It’s really easy to use, so if you’re new to the IP (short for Instant Pot) let’s start with this simple easy recipe! If you’re an old hat and you’ve been using your pressure cooker for some time, then great!
Either way, you’re going to love this recipe!
Let’s get started by answering some quick questions.
Are instant pots safe?
Absolutely! Here are a couple things to keep in mind:
- Pressure cookers actually have a built-in safety feature that will not allow you to open the lid until it’s safe. Don’t worry, the top won’t blow off!
- Because forceful hot steam is released when the pressure valve is opened, be sure to place it on a counter away from the bottom of your cupboard so it can vent easily.
- Don’t overfill it. Be sure to follow the recipe and the manufacturers’ instructions.
Does that make you more comfortable? GREAT!! Now let’s talk about how to make this super delicious, quick and easy Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni!
Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
I developed this recipe because my most popular recipe on this blog is my Instant Pot Hamburger Stroganoff and these recipes are like brother and sisters… different yet kind of the same concept!
Grocery List for Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
- vegetable oil
- ground beef
- yellow onion
- garlic
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- Worcestershire sauce
- tomato paste
- beef broth
- cheddar cheese
- elbow macaroni dry
How do you cook ground beef in an instant pot?
The great thing about the pressure cooker is they come with a saute function. You do not have to dirty an extra pan. Set the IP to saute when it’s time to brown the ground beef.
Can you cook hamburger helper in instant pot?
From start to finish yes! It will be 100 times better than what you get in a box! If you don’t have a pressure cooker try my stovetop hamburger helper!
Steps to make Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Add the oil to the pressure cooker and set to sauté.
- Next, add ground beef and diced onion. Brown the ground beef, about 5 minutes.
- Season with garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Pour in 1/4 c. of beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any pieces of beef that may be stuck to the bottom.
- Add the rest of the broth and macaroni. Stir well.
- Lock the lid, turn the pressure valve to closed and set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
- When instant pot beeps and is done cooking, quick release the steam valve.
- Stir in the cheese until melted and combined.
See?!! Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni is easy, delicious and made in the pressure cooker takes no time at all! I really hope you give this a try and when you do, be sure to come and comment below and give me five stars for this tasty recipe!
I know everyone in your family will love it as much as we do – even your picky eaters!!
More Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Hamburger Stroganoff
- Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese
- How to Make Instant Pot Baked Potatoes!
- French Onion Pressure Cooker Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Pork Roast with Vegetables
- Instant Pot Jambalaya
I have lots of Instant Pot Recipes on the blog – be sure and find your new favorite recipe!
p.s. before I go let me see if I can entice you a little more into using your pressure cooker …. Did you know it’s dishwasher safe? Yup! The stainless steel cooking vessel can be placed right into your dishwasher! Even the top can be put in there! Just be sure to place it on the top rack!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Instant Pot Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 c. yellow onion diced
- 1 Tbsp garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 4 c. low sodium beef broth
- 2 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 oz elbow macaroni dry
Instructions
- Add vegetable oil to instant pot and set to saute.
- Add ground beef and onion. Cook and crumble until ground beef is cooked is almost cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, salt and pepper to pot. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Pour in 1/4 c. of beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any pieces of beef that may be stuck to the bottom of the pot. This will prevent the burn indicator on the instant pot when pressure cooking.
- Add the rest of the broth and macaroni. Stir and make sure the macaroni is submerged into the broth.
- Lock the lid, seal the valve and set the pressure cooking time to 5 minutes.
- When instant pot is done cooking, quick release the steam valve. Stir in the cheese until completely melted and combined.
Joyce Hansen says
I live alone and love to cook. The solution for me is to cook a bunch and freeze in individual trays/packages. But, I have learned that noodles, pasta and the like get mushy. I’m thinking I could make this, leave out the pasta then freeze. When I want to eat it I just pop it into IP with pasta? If it is frozen I will have to guess the time? Would I add more broth/liquid? I think I will try this today! If you hear from me on my results, then you will know I was successful and how I did it. If you hear nothing, well, then, it didn’t work. Or I didn’t make it to the store.
Julie says
I look forward to hearing from you, Joyce! I hope that can work for you!
nathan hargenrader says
I was in a pinch and needed a quick dinner. You were the first google result and I made this with some subs. No beef broth so chicken was used and an extra tbsp Worcester. I also used dried minced onion, garlic powder and half the cheese. I added some milk as well to cream it up a bit. It was so good. You really cant mess this up with just a few base ingredients. Thanks for this. Nate.
Julie says
Well I’m glad I could help you in a pinch! Thanks for trying it, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jen says
I made this last night and it made so much!!! Can I cut the ingredients in half when it’s just me and my husband? Would that change cooking time?
Julie says
Yes you can half it, the cook time will remain the same!
gayle grady says
Delicious and easy! Thank you!
Julie says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
John L. says
Safe to double in a 8 quart?
Julie says
I made this in a 6 quart so I don’t know if doubling it in an 8 quart would work or not, I’m sorry!
Heather says
I did everything it says to to to prevent burning and it burnt and now I’m trying to finish it on the stove.
Julie says
I’m sorry to hear that, Heather. The newer Instant Pots have a very finicky burn notice.
Lucy says
Some pasta recipes for the ninja foodi (which is what I have) say don’t stir the pasta in, just kinda push it in the liquid (to prevent the error) since pasta is more likely to stick and cause the error. That’s how I am going to try it. Wish me luck & good luck on your future cooking endeavors!
Julie says
I hope it turns out for you, Lucy! Thanks for the tip!
Amirs Mom says
This was great I used Italian sausage and a little Italian seasoning and used bowtie pasta. Added a dollop of sour cream. Very memorable. Yummy
Julie says
Wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Laurie says
Just finushed making it and I love it. Used mixture of cheeses because that’s what I had. No one else home to try it yet so I can’t say yet how it will go over with the family.
Sarah says
Hi I’m going to make this tonight, can I use Ziti instead of Elbow?
Julie says
That should be fine!
Teresa says
Looks great,!
We love more meat to macaroni ratio.
Would it be ok if I used 2lbs ground beef ?
Julie says
I haven’t tried it with more than 1 lb of ground beef. You might need more liquid to cover everything in order for it to cook the noodles.
Heather says
I’m new to the IP world… how would you cook this with frozen ground beef? Super excited to try it!
Julie says
I haven’t done this with frozen ground beef, sorry I’m not sure of the steps to go about that.
Jeannine says
Do you have a dairy free cheese suggestion for this recipe?
Julie says
I’m sorry, I’m not super familiar with dairy free cheeses.
Julie says
Can I use any pasta?
Julie says
Some pastas cook quicker than others and I haven’t tested any other kinds but I think you could try a number of others – penne, bowties, shells etc.
Elizabeth says
When cooking for the 5 minutes do you leave the IP on sauté?
Julie says
Yes, saute until the ground beef is cooked through.
Elizabeth Eachus says
Ok great thank you
Samantha says
Absolutely perfect and delicious! I’ve made it three times in a month. I work from home and love the leftovers for lunch!
Julie says
Perfect! Glad you liked it!