Easy & Cheesy Keto Hamburger Helper
Who else loved Hamburger Helper as a kid?🙋🏼♀️
If you’re like me, you grew up with Hamburger Helper as a regular dinner staple that was oh so yummy! While the original is so not keto-friendly, I’ve hacked it and turned it into a low carb meal that is ready in just under 40 minutes and comes together in just one pan.
You’re going to want to add this easy cheesy keto Hamburger Helper to your dinner menu!
This super easy keto dinner recipe will have everyone happy and asking for seconds. Packed with cheesy goodness, this dish can be made on a busy weeknight. I gotta tell ya, the next day leftovers might be even better. 😋
A few tips when making keto Hamburger Helper:
- Want to sneak in some keto-friendly vegetables in addition to the zucchini? Go ahead, add all your favorites like broccoli, peppers, and/or mushrooms!
- Make it even tastier by adding bacon to the mix! My boys love anything with bacon and it just gives it a little something extra.
- If you have a busy weeknight ahead, you can make the beef mixture the day before, then add the cheese to the top, and toss it in the oven to heat through and melt the cheese.
Keto Hamburger Helper
yield: 6 SERVINGS
prep time: 5 MINUTES
cook time: 30 MINUTES
total time: 35 MINUTES
A deliciously easy & cheesy keto-friendly version of the classic Hamburger Helper dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon keto-friendly oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon granular keto sweetener
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups zucchini, cubed
- 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
1
In a large oven-safe skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, sauté onions, and minced garlic in a tablespoon of keto oil. Add in ground beef, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and granular sweetener. Brown over medium heat. Drain all of the grease from the skillet once the beef is cooked.
2
Add in beef broth, tomato paste, and cream cheese. Stir over low heat until cream cheese has melted.
3
Add in heavy cream, cubed zucchini, and two cups of Monterey Jack cheese.
4
Stir for 5-10 minutes on low until zucchini is tender.
5
Turn oven to low broil, and add one cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the top of the hamburger helper. Place in oven under broil just until cheese has melted.
6
Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield: 7, Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:
573.9 Calories | 38.4g Fat | 8.0g Total Carbs | 1.0g Fiber | .5g Sugar Alcohol | 49.1g Protein | 6.5g Net Carbs
Low carb and loving it!
Just one bite of this easy cheesy keto Hamburger Helper will take you back to your childhood! It truly is keto comfort food at its finest!
PS – Add a little hot sauce if you want some spice to it, it’s a fun addition that really kicks up the flavor.
My Hip sidekick Jenna tried out this recipe and here’s what she thought:
“Now, this is a delicious and very hearty meal! It’s easy to make like a traditional Hamburger Helper and the whole family loved it! I am a huge fan of one-pan meals and this is perfect when you’re running short on time. I made it in my cast iron skillet and it was a home run, I can’t wait to make it again!” – Jenna, Hip2Save recipe tester
Feeling cheesy? Make this cheese-stuffed Italian sausage!
My family and i are new to keto finding dishes my kids all love are difficult going to try this one out tonight excited hope its one for the books
Made a version of this! So yummy!!
Log onto DietDoctor.com and you’ll find some great dishes that are easy to make!
This was so good. Even my kids, who dislike nearly everything, ate it.
Yay! Thanks for letting us know it was a hit!
I have sort of a weird aversion to zucchini. Is there another mild tasting vegetable that would work? Would yellow squash be good?
YES! Yellow squash is a good sub for the zucchini. I do it a lot in my home.
Yay! Thank you!
Just curious as to the big hitter on carbs so I can cut it down. I want to think it’s the onion but not positive. I try to keep a 2 cup portion under 10 net carbs so looking for options. But it sounds like something to build on for sure
Hi there! I did compare the items above. It does appear that the onion has more carbs than the other ingredients. Hope this helps!
This was really good and super easy!
Awesome! SO happy to hear that, Angela! Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed it!
What’s an option besides zucchini or squash?
Great question! You could also use broccoli, peppers, and/or mushrooms. Enjoy!
Wow! This was delicious!
Thanks for the feedback, Julie!
That looks good! I like the addition of zucchini!
Hope you love it if you decide to try it!
Sounds good!
Hope you enjoy it!
This was amazing although mine came out a bit watery how do I cut this back?
You could cut back the beef broth by 1/2. Let me know if this helps!
Do you have to use the sweetener does that affect it a lot
You can leave it out, Danielle!
I used to eat a lot of hamburger helper back in the day 😀, and this is far better. I love how easy it is to make. Thank you!
We are so glad you think so!