Keto Hamburger Helper
Published February 25, 2025
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Hamburger helper was one of my favorite meals as a kid, and I get why my mom loved it - it was so easy. Now, I make a homemade version that's high in protein, low in carbs, and just as simple as the boxed kind, without the mystery ingredients.
4
Servings
473
Calories
24.3g
Fat
47.6g
Protein
5.7g
Net Carb
19.1g
Total Carbs
Disclaimer: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.
Hamburger Helper was like an elevated mac and cheese for me as a kid. Now that I am a busy working mom, I understand why we had it so often for dinner. It’s quick, easy, and a guaranteed hit at the dinner table. Of course, now I wouldn’t feed my family the boxed version with all its artificial ingredients, so I created a homemade, high-protein, low-carb alternative that’s just as simple to make. This one-pot casserole delivers the same comforting flavors without the questionable ingredients and doesn’t take much longer to make than the boxed kind.
What’s makes this casserole keto?
- Real ingredients – Instead of a processed seasoning packet, this low-carb hamburger helper casserole gets its rich, savory flavor from real ingredients like sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cornstarch is used to thicken it but you could use arrowroot powder instead if you have a corn allergy.
- Keto pasta – To keep it low-carb, I used lupini pasta, which is packed with fiber and protein, making it a great alternative to traditional noodles.
Keto Hamburger Helper Recipe Video
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Keto Hamburger Helper Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
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1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch
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2 teaspoons paprika
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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1 cup hot water
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2 cups milk of choice
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1 1/2 cups lupini pasta
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Keto Hamburger Helper Directions
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Brown the ground beef
Place ground beef in a large skillet and brown over medium-high heat, then drain and return to the skillet.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
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Season and pasta it
Stir in arrowroot powder or cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot water, milk of choice and lupin pasta. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally, about 4-5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder or cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 cups milk of choice
- 1 1/2 cups lupini noodles
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Make it cheesy
Turn off heat and add cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy. Let stand for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Quick Tip
Grate the cheese yourself for the best results.
This turned out really good. I used unsweetened almond milk and the sauce thickened nicely. The lupini pasta has a great bite to it too. Definitely going to add this to my weekly low carb dinner rotation.
I used oat milk instead of almond milk and it still turned out really creamy. The lupini pasta really held its texture.