Healthy Hamburger Helper (A 90s Classic, Reimagined)
We’re throwing it way back — like Lisa Frank folders and lunchables back — and giving a nourishing glow-up to the weeknight staple most of us grew up on: Hamburger Helper.
This version is packed with flavor, grounded in real food, and doesn’t leave you with that “what did I just eat?” regret.
We’re talkin’:
Gluten Free Pasta (We use a variety, rice pasta, lentil pasta or chickpea pasta)
Black beans
Creamy (but dairy-free) sauce
Hidden greens
Pantry seasonings that hit every savory note
It’s weeknight comfort with a grown-up gut-loving twist. One pan. No fuss. And honestly? It slaps.
Why You’ll Love It
A comfort food throwback — without the preservatives or powdered packets
Protein-rich and blood sugar-friendly (hi, fiber and fats)
Sneaky greens that disappear right into the mix
Kid-friendly and adult-craveable
Leftovers? Even better the next day
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Main Dish:
1 lb grass-fed ground beef (see notes on sourcing below)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
8 oz rice pasta (elbow or fusilli works great)
1 bag cup frozen kale (or fresh!)
¾ cup unsweetened cashew milk
2–3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
Seasoning:
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½–1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
Black pepper, to taste
How To Make It
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your rice pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
In a large skillet, cook your ground beef over medium heat until browned.
Step 3: Add the Beans + Greens
Stir in the black beans and frozen kale. Cook for a few minutes until the kale softens and everything starts to meld.
Step 4: Build the Sauce
Add the cashew milk, nutritional yeast, and seasonings. Stir well and let simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until everything is evenly coated and cozy. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Why This Hamburger Helper Hits Way Harder Than the Boxed Kind
Grass-fed beef = rich in omega-3s + better for your body and the planet
Black beans = fiber, minerals, plant power
Nutritional yeast = creamy, cheesy flavor without the dairy
Cashew milk = neutral and silky, binds everything together
Frozen kale = iron and greens that melt right in
Ingredient Spotlight: Grass-Fed, Regeneratively Raised Meat
If you're going to eat meat, sourcing matters.
I get beef from Grass Roots Farmers Cooperative — a network of small, regenerative farms that prioritize animal welfare, soil health, and nutrient density. Their meat is flash-frozen at peak freshness, shipped with love, and you can taste the difference.
✔️ No antibiotics
✔️ No hormones
✔️ Truly grass-fed, rotationally grazed animals
✔️ Supports small-scale U.S. farmers
Want to try it?
Use my code: THEMANDYDUDLEY for a discount at Grass Roots Farmers
Because better meat = better meals = a better food system.
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