Description
This One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper is a hearty and comforting cheeseburger pasta made entirely plant-based. Featuring vegan ground beef alternative, warm almond milk, tomato sauce, and vegan cheddar cheese, it's a delicious and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Ready in 30 minutes, this dish delivers classic flavor with a vegan twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 lb. vegan ground beef alternative
- 2 cups rotini pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 1 1/2 cups warm unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened milk of your choice)
- 1 cup warm vegan beef broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese (or vegan cheese of your choice)
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Heat and Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the cooking oil, diced yellow onion, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions have softened and the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Cook Vegan Ground Beef Alternative: Add the vegan ground beef alternative to the skillet. Break it up with your cooking utensil and cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
- Mix and Add Spices: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, chili powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper until uniform. Sprinkle this spice mixture over the cooked vegan beef and stir well to distribute evenly.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the warm unsweetened almond milk, vegan beef broth, and tomato sauce. Then add the rotini pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Once boiling, cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 12 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Remove from heat; the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Add Vegan Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded vegan cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir until melted and fully incorporated.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley leaves if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting vegan cheeseburger pasta.
Notes
- This recipe is a vegan copycat of classic boxed hamburger helper, making it a nostalgic and hearty comfort meal.
- Use warm almond milk and broth to help the pasta cook evenly without cooling down the skillet.
- You can substitute vegan beef broth with vegetable broth if preferred.
- Pasta choice is flexible; rotini works best to hold sauce, but any short pasta can be used.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it rest a few minutes before serving to allow it to thicken naturally.
- Fresh parsley adds color and brightness but is optional.
- Adjust seasoning—salt and pepper—to taste at the end if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
