Instant Pot Hamburger Helper With Rice – a dairy-free, healthier version of classic Hamburger Helper for an amazingly filling dinner.
When I was a kid, I had the metabolism of a wolverine. Protein, carb and fat-rich meals that stick to your ribcage like Lasagna, Tuna Noodle Casserole, and Hamburger Helper were some of my favorites because I was guaranteed to feel full after those dinners – a rare occasion indeed.
And Hamburger Helper? The relationship was fiery.
There’s something very nostalgic about a childhood meal and most of us begin craving comfort foods in the fall and winter when the weather gets chilly.
Or in my case, all the time. Girl loves to feel FULL!
Enter: Homemade Hamburger Helper.
What is Hamburger Helper?:
Most of you are already very familiar, but in case you’ve never tried it, Hamburger Helper is a beefy noodle dish in a creamy seasoned sauce, resulting in a dinner that just sticks straight to your ribcage. It is DELICIOUS.
In order to make iconic Hamburger Helper at home using ingredients that sit well with me, I took many liberties so that I could create a meal I felt good serving both myself and others. This is how it goes..
How This Recipe Differs From Traditional Hamburger Helper:
- First and foremost, there is no pasta involved. I swapped it out for rice.
- The recipe is entirely dairy-free, but you can easily use milk/cream and/or cheese (see Recipe Adaptations) section below.
- Made in an Instant Pot! Traditionally, my parents made hamburger helper on the stove top, and sometimes finished it off in the oven with more cheese. This recipe requires almost zero effort, hovering, minimal cleanup, and is so QUICK and easy!
Now that you have some background information and know how we’re firing out Version 2.0, lets dive into more details..
Ingredients for Hamburger Helper:
Rice: As mentioned above, I use rice instead of noodles in this Hamburger Helper recipe. I use white basmati rice, which I soak ahead of time so that it gets nice and soft during the pressure cooking process. The end result is a very thick and creamy sauce which absorbs nicely into the rice such that you’re left with an extremely comforting dish that is sure to fill you up for hours.
You can start the recipe by soaking the rice and chop the onion and garlic and begin sautéing while the rice is soaking. BOOM! Multi-tasking.
Avocado Oil: Used for sautéing the onion and browning the beef, I like using avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and won’t burn while cooking.
Onion & Garlic: Mandatory for adding a lot of comforting flavor to Hamburger Helper. Don’t skip them unless you’re intolerant to them!
Ground Beef: The all star ingredient of Hamburger Helper is – you guessed it – ground beef! I love using grass-fed ground beef or elk, but you can also go with ground turkey if that’s your preference.
Seasonings: Dried oregano, dried thyme, ground paprika, and sea salt bring nice herby underlying flavor that you don’t necessarily detect but makes the meal more enticing.
Sauce: Beef Broth, Tomato Sauce, and Coconut Milk: This combination results in creamy, tangy sauce that happens to be dairy-free. Tomato sauce is paramount in providing an acidic, tangy balance to the creamy coconut milk. You can use red pasta sauce or replace the tomato sauce with a couple tablespoons of tomato paste. Even diced tomatoes work!
Coconut milk takes the place of milk and cheese in this recipe to give it that iconic creaminess. You will need a total of 3 cups of coconut milk, which is about 1.5 cans. I use full-fat canned coconut milk to be sure the recipe turns out nice and creamy, but you can go with light coconut milk if that’s your preference.
Cider Vinegar: In order to add a cheesy flavor to the meal, cider vinegar is here to the rescue! When combined with coconut milk, cider vinegar yields the flavor of buttermilk, cheese, or cream. You can use lemon juice or rice vinegar as a replacement.
Now that we’re experts on the ingredients, let’s get into the meat of the recipe (buhdumching).
How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Helper With Rice:
Soak the rice for at least 10 minutes before beginning the recipe. It can soak while the onion is sautéing. (Note: be sure to drain it fully before using).
Add the avocado oil to your Instant Pot and press the Sauté button. Allow it to heat up for a couple of minutes.
Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent and edges begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef and brown for 2 minutes per side before breaking it into smaller pieces using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Stir in the dried herbs and sea salt.
Add in the (soaked and drained) white rice and stir well.
Pour in the broth, tomato sauce,1 whole can of coconut milk, cider vinegar, and pure maple syrup . Stir well.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and press Manual. Adjust the time setting for 10 minutes and be sure the steam vent is sealed.
Once the pressure cooker goes through its full course, allow it to naturally release (go into keep warm mode) for 5 minutes.
Manually release any remaining pressure using the quick release valve.
Stir the hamburger helper well, and give it a taste. Add more sea salt to taste and if desired, add 1 more cup off full-fat canned coconut milk and stir well. Do note that as the hamburger helper sits, the more the rice will absorb moisture, so if you like your helper on the saucy side, be sure to add some additional coconut milk (or broth) even if you don’t think you need it.
If desired, stir in 1 to 2 cups mild cheddar or jack cheese (assuming you do dairy).
Serve and enjoy!
Stove Top Instructions:
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make this recipe using a large pot (preferably a Dutch Oven) on the stove top!
Soak the rice for at least 10 minutes before beginning the recipe. It can soak while the onion is sautéing. (Note: be sure to drain it fully before using).
Heat the avocado oil to your Dutch Oven or stock pot and heat over medium-high.
Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent and edges begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the ground beef to the pot and brown for 2 minutes per side before breaking it into smaller pieces using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon.
Stir in the garlic, dried herbs and sea salt. Add in the soaked and drained white rice and stir well. Pour in the broth, tomato sauce,1 whole can of coconut milk, cider vinegar, and pure maple syrup . Stir well.
Cover the pot and bring mixture to a full boil. After it has come to a full boil, reduce the heat to low and cook (no peeking!) for 10 to 12 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Remove the lid and stir well. Taste the hamburger helper and add sea salt to taste. If desired, add 1 more cup off full-fat canned coconut milk and stir well.
Note: as the hamburger helper sits, the more the rice will absorb moisture, so if you like your helper on the saucy side, be sure to add some additional coconut milk (or broth) even if you don’t think you need it.
If desired, stir in 1 to 2 cups mild cheddar or jack cheese (assuming you do dairy).
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Adaptations:
- This recipe makes A LOT of food! Cut it in half if serving 4 individuals and you don’t want leftovers.
- If you do dairy, replace the canned coconut milk with 2 cups whole milk or cream (if you’re a real hero) and add 1 to 2 cups of grated cheese once the hamburger helper has finished cooking. The end result of the richness/creaminess is entirely up to you!
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey. If you do so, consider adding an extra tablespoon of avocado oil, as ground turkey is very lean and will not be as flavorful.
- Add ¼ to ½ tsp red pepper flakes for a little heat
- Replace the tomato sauce with 2 tablespoons of tomato paste or 1 drained 15-oz can of diced tomatoes if that’s what you have on hand.
- Omit the pure maple syrup to keep this entirely sugar-free.
More Instant Pot Meals:
- Rosemary Lemon Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup
- Instant Pot Steak and Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef
- Instant Pot Sausage Cabbage Stew
- Instant Pot Tart Cherry Short Ribs
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Turmeric Chicken and Root Vegetables
Hamburger Helper With Rice at your service!
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Instant Pot Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 cups white rice soaked and drained
- 1 (15-oz) can full-fat coconut milk , + 1 cup for serving, optional**
- 1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 Tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 to 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup optional
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the rice for at least 10 minutes before beginning the recipe. It can soak while the onion is sautéing. (Note: be sure to drain it fully before using).
- Add the avocado oil to your Instant Pot and press the Sauté button. Allow it to heat up for a couple of minutes.
- Stir in the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent and edges begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef and brown for 2 minutes per side before breaking it into smaller pieces using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Stir in the garlic, dried herbs and sea salt.
- Stir in the soaked and drained white rice until well incorporated.
- Pour in the broth, tomato sauce,1 whole can of coconut milk, and cider vinegar. Stir well.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and press Manual. Adjust the time setting for 10 minutes and be sure the steam vent is sealed.
- Once the pressure cooker goes through its full course, allow it to naturally release (go into keep warm mode) for 5 minutes. Manually release any remaining pressure using the quick release valve.
- Stir the hamburger helper well, and give it a taste. Add more sea salt to taste and if desired, add 1 more cup off full-fat canned coconut milk and stir well. Do note that as the hamburger helper sits, the more the rice will absorb moisture, so if you like your helper on the saucy side, be sure to add some additional coconut milk (or broth) even if you don’t think you need it.
- If desired, add 1 to 2 cups of grated mild cheddar or jack cheese once the Hamburger Helper is fully cooked and stir well.
Notes
Nutrition
I just made this, substituted Ground beef for turkey, milk instead of coconut milk and it came out DELICIOUS! So good with cornbread, which defeats the purpose of it being a healthy dish but.. Yum. Gooood stuffs!
Great success! I’m so thrilled to hear that! Thanks so much for reporting back! xo
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve made this! It’s my picky 10 year old son’s favorite. I stir in a bag of frozen kale at the end, and serve it with raw veggies and kimchi at the table.
I’m so thrilled to hear it, Amy! I absolutely love it too! I make a similar recipe now using gluten-free pasta noodles (that are made with brown rice). You guys may want to check it out!: https://www.theroastedroot.net/gluten-free-dairy-free-hamburger-helper/ Also love the idea of serving it with veggies and kimchi…yum!! xoxo
The recipe doesn’t say when to add the garlic. I just assumed it’s while browning the beef.
Hi Kelly! Apologies for the confusion! Yes, that is correct! 😀 xoxoxo
@Julia,
It would be awesome if you could update the recipe to show that! I follow recipes step by step and didn’t realize until I was about to put the lid on that the garlic never went in.
Thanks, Daniel. I fixed it.
Looking to make this tonight~how much maple syrup goes in. I’ve looked a couple of times but can’t find the measurement.
Thanks looking forward to trying 🥳
Hi Tracy,
I add about 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup..just enough to give it a little sweetness 🙂 You can play with the amount and add more if you like it to be sweeter. xoxo
Hi Julia, this sounds delicious :). I am trying to scale back on carbs though, and am wondering if there is a way to alter the recipe to prepare just the ground beef in the sauce, without rice? Or if not, a way to reduce the rice to beef ratio?
Thank you!
Hi Arielle!
You can do just the beef and sauce, but I would recommend cooking it on the stovetop and omit the broth or the coconut milk, or cut both measurements in half. As an alternative, you could try making the recipe using cauliflower rice, but I would still cut down the amount of liquid. xoxox 😀
@Julia, can this recipe be cut in half?
Caitlin
Hi Caitlin,
Yes, absolutely!
@Julia, I made it, but had SO much grease from the ground beef! It all floated to the top when I took the lid off. Is this normal? Or did I miss a step? I ended up stirring it and draining it with paper towels in a strainer before serving.
Hi Caitlin!
What percentage of fat did you use? I usually use 90/10 or 85/15 and haven’t had that issue. I can definitely see it happening with fattier ground beef.
@Julia, I believe it was 80/20. I buy my beef from our farmer’s market store, but maybe for this recipe I need need to get leaner meat.
I love the idea of this recipe; however, I kept getting a burn message. I had to switch it to another pot and finish it on the stove.
Oh no! I’m sorry to hear that Bonnie! I haven’t had the burn message come up. I wonder if adding even just a small amount of additional liquid (more diced tomatoes or broth) would help. Thanks for letting me know! xoxo
@Julia, I keep getting the burn message too. I’ve added more broth 2x already & it won’t come to pressure because if it. I’m almost at a whole carton of beef broth in it. I might have to switch to another pan if it happens again.
Hi Maekenzie!
I learned recently that Instant Pot will give a burn notice if it doesn’t heat up sufficiently. My sister-in-law noted that if she skips the sautéing step, she will get the burn notice, but if she does sauté the onion, the burn notice doesn’t come up. That said, are you going through with the sautéing or are you adding everything at the same time (I wouldn’t blame you…I’m all about cutting corners)? If so, it may help to do the sauté to ensure the IP heats up prior to pressure cooking. Let me know if that helps! xoxoxox
@Maeckenzie, I keep getting a burn notice message too! I’ve added in so much liquid, and I did saute as per the recipe. I followed to the letter and still got the burn notice! Anyone have any luck figuring out what to do?
Hi Jennifer! Question – did you skip the sauteing/browning process? I’ve noticed if I just add everything to the pot and I don’t heat it up slowly by sautéing the onion and browning the meat I get a burn notice. Let me know and I can try to help troubleshoot from there 🙂
Hi Julia! I love it, but sometimes rice and me and not friends. Can I do it with quinoa?
Hi Jennifer!
Ooh, that’s a great question! My guess is yes, although I’m not sure how inviting the texture will be. I think if you enjoy the texture of quinoa, it will turn out fine, but if you feel quinoa needs some extra love, it may not be the best adaptation. Let me know if you try it! xoxo
I want to make this but I only have long grain brown rice on hand and won’t have any time to get out to do any shopping for over a week. 🙁 But I really want to try it!! Any tips please on adjustments to liquids amounts and cooking time if I were to make it with brown rice instead?
Hi Sara!
You can use brown rice for sure! I definitely recommend soaking it as long as you can (1 hour minimum, up to 24 hours). Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes and allow it to naturally release for 8 to 10 (leaving it longer is fine too 😀 ) Hope you enjoy!
i just made this and OH MY!!!!! Julia, this is amazing. its comfort food without all the headaches and guilt for not eating well.
Wowie!
YES! I’m so thrilled you made and enjoyed it! I absolutely love how flavorful and filling it is…definitely one I’m putting on repeat! xoxox Much love, m’dear!
I want to make this tonight but I don’t have an Instapot. Do you think I could do this in the oven or stove top?
Hi Laura!
I bet it can be made easily on the stove top! I would follow all of the same instructions using a large stock pot (a Dutch oven would be best if you have one), and instead of pressure cooking, simply bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer, as though you were making a regular pot of rice. Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any other questions! xoxoxo
I sooo want to make this tonight but I don’t have an Instapot. Do you think I could do this in the oven or stove top?