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September 29, 2020

Homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

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We chose to make this Instant Pot Hamburger Helper with 93% lean ground beef.  It has less fat and grease. However, feel free to use any gground beef of your choice, if prefered.

Similarly, we also chose to make this pressure cooker recipe with a can of mild salsa.  However, you an also use fire roasted diced tomatoes, if needed.  I find the salsa gives it a bit more flavor over diced tomoatoes.  If you want a tad more spice, you can also use hot salsa.  

Regardless, this easy beef recipe is almost guaranteed to turn out great!  If you prefer this pasta dish with less cream, feel free to decrease the cream cheese. 

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?

What is great about Instant Pot Hamburger Helper recipe is you can use any pasta of your choosing.  However, with a creamy, cheesy pasta such as this, we love to use pasta shells that hold on to the cream sauce well.  Pasta shells such as penne pasta, elbow macaroni, rigatoni, shells and more are our favorites. 

When cooking pasta in your pressure cooker, be sure to follow the tip before for cooking time.

TIPS FOR COOKING PASTA IN YOUR INSTANT POT  

When cooking Instant Pot recipes with pasta feel free to choose any pasta shell you might prefer.  Regardless of which pasta you choose, be sure to follow the cooking times indicated on the box of your pasta choice.  Whatever the box says – cut it in half and subtract 2 minutes.

For example, if the box says to cook for 10 minutes, you will cut that in half (5) and subtract 2.  All together you would cook for 3 minutes.  

If for any reason you don’t feel as though your pasta is cooked enough, you can always place the lid back on your Instant Pot and pressure cook again for 0 minutes.  That should do the trick!

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO MAKE HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER

What we love most about this Instant Pot Hamburger is the number of ways to you make this easy dinner dish.  While we included fresh chopped onions, minced garlic, salsad, Italian seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, there are so many alternative ingredients to add.  Here are just a few of our family loved favorites: 

  • Red bell peppers 
  • Green bell peppers
  • Ground Turkey
  • Spicy Italian sausage
  • Mushrooms 
  • Broccoli 

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT POT HAMBURGER HELPER

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (you can also use vegetable oil, if preferred)
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 
  • 1 tablepsoon minced garlic 
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 
  • 3 cups low sodium beef broth or beef stock
  • 1 pound pasta shells 
  • 1 15.5 ounce mild salsa 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic pepper (you can also use regular pepper, if needed) 
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning 
  • 4 ounce cream cheese 
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (you can also use mozzarella or Parmesan, if preferred) 
  • Salt and pepper to taste 

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT HAMBURGER HELPER

  1. Turn on your Instant Pot and select the Saute mode on high. 
  2. Add olive oil, onions and ground beef.  Saute until onions are soft and beef is mostly cooked, about 3-5 minutes.  
  3. Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes. 
  4. Select the ‘Cancel’ button to reset the cooking function.  Add beef broth and quickly deglaze the bottom of the pot with a non-stick spatula or spoon to ensure no brown bits or onions are stuck to the bottom of the pot.  This will help ensure you avoid the ‘BURN’ notice.  
  5. Add salsa and pasta shells.  Gently press the pasta shells down into the broth ensuring they are mostly overed with liquid.  
  6. Lock the lid in place and select the ‘Pressure Cook’ fucntion on high.  Cook for 3 minutes.  
  7. Once the timer beeps, quick release the steam and carefully remove the lid.  
  8. Add cream cheese, shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic pepper and salt to taste. Still well until all incredients are well combined.  
  9. Serve hot and enjoy!  

LOOKING FOR OTHER DELICIOUS INSTANT POT PASTA RECIPES?  HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES:

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INSTANT POT HAMBURGER HELPER

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (you can also use vegetable oil, if preferred)
  • 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tablepsoon minced garlic 
  • 1 pound lean ground beef 
  • 3 cups low sodium beef broth or beef stock
  • 1 pound pasta shells 
  • 1 15.5 ounce mild salsa 
  • 1 teaspoon garlic pepper (you can also use regular pepper, if needed)
  • 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 4 ounces cream cheese 
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (you can also use mozzarella or Parmesan, if preferred)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  • Turn on your Instant Pot and select the Saute mode on high. 
  • Add olive oil, onions and ground beef.  Saute until onions are soft and beef is mostly cooked, about 3-5 minutes. 
  • Add garlic. Continue to saute for an additional 2 minutes. 
  • Select the 'Cancel' button to reset the cooking function.  Add beef broth and quickly deglaze the bottom of the pot with a non-stick spatula or spoon to ensure no brown bits or onions are stuck to the bottom of the pot.  This will help ensure you avoid the 'BURN' notice. 
  • Add salsa and pasta shells.  Gently press the pasta shells down into the broth ensuring they are mostly overed with liquid. 
  • Lock the lid in place and select the 'Pressure Cook' fucntion on high.  Cook for 3 minutes. 
  • Once the timer beeps, quick release the steam and carefully remove the lid. 
  • Add cream cheese, shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic pepper and salt to taste. Still well until all incredients are well combined. 
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

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  1. You’re Instant pot hamburger helper recipe doesn’t list any liquid as an ingredient but the directions mention broth. Can you please update your recipe with the liquid amount.

    • Hi Jen – My most sincere apologies! I have no idea how that was missed. Thanks so much for bringing that to my attention. The recipe has been updated.