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.
Jess says
This is my favorite go-to comfort food dinner–it’s quick, easy, and so satisfying and delicious! I use ground turkey and chicken broth to make it a little bit healthier and it works great!
Julie Evink says
So glad you are enjoying it!
Melinda Starkey says
I used banaza elbow noodles and simple truth non-dairy cheddar. Perfect meal for my picky GFCF kiddos!
Julie Evink says
That’s great to know. I’m going to try Bonanza noodles in it!
Nan says
Fast meal- Seasoning is perfect- not like the one in the box and SO SO good. Everyone in the family enjoyed it.
I had a few adjustments.
Doubled the onion, we like onions!
Used Veggie stock, its all I had
Did not use the oil to sauté- there was enough fat in the beef
Pressure cooked for 4 minutes manual release after 1 ( we like al dente pasta).
This is a definite do again meal 🙂
Rheannen says
Can you just cook this in a fry pan ? I don’t have a pressure cooker ?
Michelle Sperr says
Hi Rheannen. I haven’t tired this in a fry pan but you certainly could give it a try! You’ll need to adjust cooking time accordingly and you may have to add more/less liquid depending on how long it needs to simmer! Let me know how it turns out!
Waneta Bontrager says
So good I’m not usually a big fan of these kind of meals but this one love it.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Debra says
This was super easy and tastes good! I used small shells—pasta cooked perfectly. After it was done, I added garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a little extra salt. Hot, fast, easy—it satisfied the Hamburger Helper craving! Will be making this again! Thank you!
Julie says
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Laura says
Can I make this without cheese? Need Dairy free.
Julie says
Yes, that would be fine!
Ron says
Have you tried it with ground Turkey?
Julie says
I haven’t but I think it would work out just fine!
Darryl says
Do you alter the cooking time if you double the recipe, of so what do you alter it to
Julie says
The cook time will remain the same, the Instant Pot will accommodate the pressure to the amount of food inside.
Susan says
Do I have to drain the grease in between after browning the ground beef? It doesn’t say in the instructions. I’m new to instant pot…
Julie says
Yes, you can drain the meat first before adding the ingredients in step 3.
Teresa says
I was so impressed with this recipe, I shared it in the IP community last month and all my friends. My toddler loooooves this meal and so does our toddler neighbor. It reheats really well too. Great recipe!
Julie says
Thanks, Teresa! I’m so glad you and everyone else love it!
Peggi Kennedy says
Sooooo yummy and easy to make! Everyone from pickiest grandson to thirty-something son, to I’ll-eat-anything hubby gobbled it up. This one’s going in my 5 star recipe book for sure.
Julie says
Awesome! I’m so glad it was a hit with everyone!
Katie says
I added 2 cups of milk with 2 cups of broth. Also threw in a teaspoon of thyme. Turned out beautifully.
Julie says
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it!
terry says
Cumin is also an optional addition.
Julie says
Yes! That would be a great flavor option!
Christina says
I made but added mushrooms and used gluten free pasta which requires a little more liquid. Turned out great.
Julie says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Lori says
Bi-monthly I do it. thank you for sharing another recipe!
Julie says
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoy this one!