You know you’re getting older when you start saying things like ‘back in my day…’ But, back in my day, when my mom was the one in charge of dinner, we ate a lot of that infamous boxed ‘burger helper’. It was good stuff too. I’m not about to lie, that and fast food tacos are still a guilty pleasure of mine.
These days, now that I’m the mom and I’m in charge of dinner, I try to stay away from the boxed and pre-made options as much as I can. This Healthified Cheeseburger Helper is a nod to the classic boxed ‘burger helper’. It’s cheesy, meaty, full of noodles and… dare I say it, better for you too!
I lightened this Healthified Cheeseburger Helper up by using a lean ground turkey. I also swapped in some whole wheat noodles instead of regular plain-jane macaroni noodles. What you get in the end is a family-friendly dinner that is almost completely hands off, cooks in 5 minutes, and is delicious. Plus, you can feel good about knowing that what you’re feeding your kiddos is guilt-free.
Parents and kids alike will love this Healthified Cheeseburger Helper. I should know. All of the adults in my house went back for seconds. Me included!
Serve this Healthified Cheeseburger Helper with some fresh veggies or a side salad and call it done.
It doesn’t get much better than a dinner like this. Quick. Easy. Delicious. And guilt-free!
TheSkinnyFork.com Who needs 'burger helper' from a box? This homemade cheeseburger mac is quick and easy to make with just 5 minutes of cook time in the Instant Pot! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Prep Time: 10 Minutes • Cook Time: 5 Minutes
Servings: 10 • Serving Size: About 1 1/2 Cups • Calories: 354 • Fat: 13 g • Saturated Fat: 6 g • Carb: 36 g • Fiber: 2 g • Protein: 23 g • Sugar: 2 g • Sodium: 414 mg
• 1 Lb. Extra Lean Ground Turkey
• 1/2 C. Chopped White Onion
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 Tsp. Dried Thyme
• Salt & Pepper to Taste
• 4 C. Unsalted Beef Broth
• 1 C. Water
• 2 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
• 16 Oz. Whole Wheat Noodles
• 2 C. Shredded Cheese
Directions:
Set the instant pot to sauté and add in the 1 Lb. ground turkey to cook until browned.
Once nearly done, add in the onion and garlic to allow them to soften slightly.
Season the meat with 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire, 1/2 Tsp. thyme, and salt & pepper to taste.
Turn the sauté feature off and add in the 4 C. broth, 1 C. water, and 2 Tbsp. tomato paste. Stir to combine and scrape down the base of the instant pot.
Add in the 16 Oz. dry noodles and secure the lid.
Set the steam valve to sealed and set the instant pot to manual for 5 minutes.
Once the 5 minutes has completely, quick release the instant pot lid and carefully open it.
Add in 1 C. of the shredded cheese and stir to combine.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 C. cheese over the top and set the lid back on top for about 2 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Once done, remove the lid and divide evenly among bowls to enjoy right away.
Step-by-Step Photos:
Nutritional Claims: Sugar Conscious • Peanut Free • Tree Nut Free • Soy Free • Shellfish Free • Pork Free • Crustacean Free • Celery Free • Mustard Free • Sesame Free • Lupine Free • Mollusk Free • Alcohol Free • No Oil Added • No Sugar Added • Sulphite Free
