Keto Hamburger Helper

Prep: 5 min Cook: 12 min Total: 17 min Servings: 4
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published February 25, 2025

Reader Rating
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
CasseroleEasyEgg FreeHigh ProteinKid FriendlyNut FreeOne Pot

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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.

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.  A wooden spoon scooping out a serving of low-carb hamburger helper.

What makes this casserole keto?

  • Real ingredients – Instead of a processed seasoning packet, this homemade hamburger helper 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.

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Keto Hamburger Helper

5 (2) Prep 5m Cook 12m Total 17m 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 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 pasta
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Brown the ground beef

Place ground beef in a large skillet and brown over medium-high heat, then drain and return to the skillet.

Cooked ground beef in a white skillet.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
2
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.

Spiral noodles in a ground beef casserole.
Ingredients for this step
  • 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
3
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.

A casserole with low-carb noodles, ground beef and cheesy topped with parsley in a skillet.
Tip Grate the cheese yourself for the best results.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Nutrition Per Serving
473 Calories
24.3g Fat
47.6g Protein
5.7g Net Carbs
19.1g Total Carbs
4 Servings
Nutrition 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.

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Creamy and cheesy ground beef casserole in a skillet.

Pasta substitutions

You want to make this recipe, but can’t find lupini noodles? Here are some suggestions on substitutes you can use instead:
  • Hearts of palm noodles – I would get either the spaghetti noodles or the lasagna sheets and cut up the lasagna into smaller noodle shapes. Hearts of palm are gluten-free with very few carbs.
  • Shirataki noodles – Not my first or second choice for pasta substitutes because of the rubbery texture, but they do make ziti shaped pasta that works well here, and they’re gluten-free.
  • Egg wraps – You can make your own or purchase the ones at the grocery store by the brand Egglife. They come as a wrap, but you can easily cut them into small noodles. They taste very similar to noodles when prepared in a sauce.
  • Cauliflower rice – When all else fails.

Storage information

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm it on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth, water, or milk of choice if needed to loosen up the sauce.
Keto Hamburger Helper

Frequently Asked Questions

I am sensitive to cornstarch. What can I use in it's place?

Use arrowroot powder in place of cornstarch. Try 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder. If that doesn't thicken enough, use 1 1/2 tablespoons.

Can I use nut milk in this recipe?

You can use any type of milk in this ground beef skillet recipe - cow's milk, nut milk or seed milk.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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  1. T
    Tara M. Apr 13, 2025

    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.

    Reply
  2. D
    Derek Feb 24, 2025

    I used oat milk instead of almond milk and it still turned out really creamy. The lupini pasta really held its texture.

    Reply

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