Slow cooker hamburger helper

This slow cooker hamburger helper is the perfect simple meal made in the crockpot with ground beef, gluten-free pasta, and a simple veggie boosted sauce!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3 45

Servings

Calories 443

Author Michelle

Equipment

1 Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tsp dried parsely
1 tsp dried oregano
½ yellow onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 ¼ cup beef broth sub chicken broth
16 oz pasta sauce divided, use my Daylight veggie pasta sauce for a tomato-free swap with hidden veggies!
¾ cup almond milk
10 oz elbow pasta gluten free
½ cup cheddar cheese shredded, see notes
1 tbsp parsley chopped

Instructions

Using a large pan set to medium heat, add the ground beef and season with salt, pepper, parsley and oregano. Crumble until browned, adding the onion and garlic at the end and cooking for 2-3 more minutes. Remove from the heat.
Lightly grease the slow cooker and add the cooked beef. Pour in the beef broth, 12 oz of pasta sauce, and almond milk. Stir well to combine and cover the slow cooker. Cook on low for 3 1/2 - 4 hours (see notes on cook time).
Turn the slow cooker up to high and add the uncooked pasta and the remaining 4 oz of pasta sauce. Stir to combine and cover. Cook on high for 15-25 minutes, stirring about halfway through, until the pasta is cooked through.
If using cheese, add the cheese and stir to combine. Cover for 2-3 more minutes to melt the cheese. Remove the lid and add serve topped with chopped parsley!

Notes

Since the beef is already cooked, the cook time for the ground beef base in the slow cooker is somewhat flexible. You want to cook it long enough for the flavors to combine and the liquid to reach a temperature that will cook the pasta. I find that 3 1/2 hours on low is long enough in my slow cooker, but you may need more or less time in your own slow cooker!

The cheese is optional if you can't tolerate dairy! I prefer to use shredded goat cheddar as an option that's easier for me to tolerate.

Nutrition