How to Make Kid Approved Healthy Hamburger Helper

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Healthy hamburger helper is not an oxymoron, I promise you. Have you ever had the prepackaged stuff and wondered “is hamburger helper healthy?”  Well, since I prefer to keep things healthy I avoid the traditional kind and opt for this healthy hamburger helper recipe instead.

healthy hamburger helper recipe

Healthy Hamburger Helper Recipe with Ground Turkey 

What You Will Need (Full Printable Recipe Available Below)

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb organic ground turkey
  • 6 oz veggie pasta (measured dry)
  • 3/4 cup dairy free Alfredo sauce
hamburger helper alternative with dairy free sauce and veggie pasta

Ingredients Tips:

This kid approved hamburger helper recipe only required three simple ingredients. Ground turkey, veggie pasta and dairy free alfredo sauce. We will also use a little avocado oil to prevent sticking, so if you count that, then four ingredients.

  • Have you heard of this brand of veggie pasta? It’s from Free to Eat and doesn’t have any added ingredients or chemicals or weird stuff. There are a few different veggie combos, and I’m using the red lentil, pumpkin and squash for this recipe. You can get this healthy veggie pasta online here: Vegetable Pasta. Otherwise, any clean, gluten free pasta will work.
  • I’m also a big fan of this dairy free Alfredo sauce from Primal Kitchen. It has a cashew base and looks a bit gelatinous when it comes out of the jar but trust me, its delicious. You can get it here: Alfredo sauce. If you are a member of Thrive Market you can also get these both there. 
  • Lastly, ground turkey. Try to find organic, grass fed if possible.
  • For the ground meat, you can use ground turkey, chicken or beef. I love ordering quality meats online from Crowd Cow. dairy free alfredo sauce, gluten free pasta

How to Make Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper   

First, cook your veggie pasta according to the directions on the box. While the pasta is cooking you can begin cooking your ground turkey in a skillet on the stove. Use a wooden spoon to break up the turkey as it cooks. 

ground turkey in skillet

Once the ground turkey is fully cooked remove from the heat.

cooked ground turkey

Drain your cooked veggie pasta. I love this mesh strainer for this.

gluten free vegetable pasta in strainer

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the ground turkey.

kid approved healthy lunch, homemade hamburger helper recipe

Next, add the dairy free Alfredo sauce to the skillet and mix your homemade healthy hamburger helper thoroughly. Heat on low for about a minute as your mix. 

how to make healthy alternative hamburger helper

This simple healthy alternative to hamburger helper is a staple in our home. The kids love it and my husband does too. They actually said “there’s just something about this, I can’t stop eating it”. Sometimes I will also add a handful of peas to the mix for a little color and more veggies. Easy to make, family loves it and its healthy: win-win!   

healthy hamburger helper in white bowl

Nutritional Value

If you are curious about calories and the macro breakdown for a serving go this healthy hamburger helper recipe you will also notice that its packed with protein as well as veggies!

healthy hamburger helper nutritional value, calories in hamburger helper, macro friendly meal

Looking for more recipes using gluten free pasta? Check these out: Gluten Free Pasta Recipes

Printable Recipe 

How to Make Kid Approved Healthy Hamburger Helper

How to Make Kid Approved Healthy Hamburger Helper

Yield: 3
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Healthy hamburger helper recipe made with ground turkey. This healthy alternative to hamburger helper is both dairy free and gluten free, and kid approved.

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Ingredients

  • 6 oz veggie pasta
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 3/4 cup dairy free alfredo sauce

Instructions

  1. Cook veggie pasta according to directions on the box.
  2. Cook ground turkey in skillet on stove until browned.
  3. Drain pasta
  4. Combine pasta, ground turkey and alfredo
  5. Serve and enjoy

Notes

Optional - add peas for additional veggies and color

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 429Total Fat: 6.8gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 186.7mgSodium: 486.7mgCarbohydrates: 40.8gFiber: 3gSugar: 1.5gProtein: 51.3g

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One Comment

  1. Thanks for sharing this healthy version of hamburger helper. Sounds yummy!

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