Instant Pot Hamburger Helper is one of the easiest comfort meals that you can make in less than 30 minutes! It’s flavorful, filling and will give you needed energy to enjoy your day!

Once you try this recipe, trust me, you’ll never go back to those boxed or precooked hamburger helper meals that you used to buy at the supermarket.

Instant Pot Hamburger Helper served in a rounded bowl

I LOVE making creamy pasta dishes in the Instant Pot! They turned out extra saucy, velvety, and SO delicious! One of my all-time favorites is this Instant Pot Chicken Fajita pasta recipe, Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff, and this hamburger helper!

This homemade Instant Pot Hamburger Helper will immediately become your family favorite, simply because nothing beats a warm filling homemade meal!

In our family, kids and adults love this recipe and wait for me to cook it impatiently, I mean, it’s always requested! The good news is that it takes less than 30 minutes to be ready and honestly it’s SO easy to make.

I know that many find the boxed stuff super convenient, but my version here is super easy as it’s cooked in the Instant Pot, it’s a one-pot meal, and it tastes so much better!

The rich and creamy texture of Hamburger Helper shown on a serving spoon

Table of Contents

The Ingredients for Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

To make this delicious meal, you need the following simple ingredients:

Lean ground beef, tomato paste or ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper, uncooked elbow macaroni (or any short pasta shape), beef or vegetable or chicken broth, sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

The ingredients needed for hamburger helper including ground beef, elbow macaroni, cheese, stock, sour cream, and seasonings.

How to Make Instant Pot Hamburger Helper?

Cooking the hamburger helper in the Instant Pot is very easy. Follow these simple instructions and enjoy the mouthwatering dish in no time!

First, add ground beef to the Instant Pot to brown it using the SAUTÉ setting. Break up the ground beef into small pieces and continue sautéing until it’s all brown and the pink color disappears (it will take about 3 minutes). Drain off any excess fat if necessary.
Add all the seasonings, the tomato paste and Dijon mustard and mix well. Then, turn off the SAUTÉ setting.
Add the pasta to the ground beef in the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef or the chicken broth. Using a spatula, scrape the bottom of the pot to release any brown bits that are stuck to it. This will avoid getting a BURN message. Then push the pasta into the broth so it’s all covered.
Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and set the valve on a SEALING position. Press on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL and set the cooking time at 4 minutes on high.
Once the cooking has finished, release the steam quickly. Give all the ingredients a quick stir. Add the sour cream and stir in the cheese until the cheese has melted.
Have a taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference. Serve warm and enjoy!

The easy 6 steps showing how to cook this recipe in the Instant Pot, starting from browning the beef, to garnishing it and serving the meal while it's still warm.

Feel free to garnish with your favorite chopped fresh herbs to add color and flavor to your hamburger helper!

How to Store Instant Pot Hamburger Helper?

Store the cooked hamburger helper in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Then, reheat in the microwave or over the stovetop.

I recommend adding a splash of water before reheating so that the pasta doesn’t dry out, as the sauce thickens up in the fridge.

This is also a great recipe because it freezes very well. You can safely double this recipe and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

A closeup picture of the Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Expert Tips

You can substitute the elbow macaroni with any type of short pasta shape, such as: penne or fusilli.
The liquid amount required for this recipe depends on the type of pasta being used. Therefore, if you feel that more liquid is needed, add half a cup of warm water or broth. If after cooking, you feel like you’ve added too much liquid, just discard a little and then add in the sour cream and the cheese.
For a healthier version, add your favorite veggies to the recipe. My suggestion would be to add onions, celery, and/or carrots.

The final dish served in two rounded bowl

What to Serve with Hamburger Helper?

Hamburger helper is perfect to be served on its own, but for a complete meal, you can add some tasty sides such as:

Kale salad
Crispy cauliflower in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer roasted broccoli
Air Fryer roasted mushrooms
Buttered cabbage (in the Instant Pot!)
Roasted radishes
Garlic green beans (another Instant Pot favorite!)

Click on this link to watch the Instant Pot Hamburger Helper web story

For more delicious and nourishing recipe ideas, click here. Also, make sure to check out my other Instant Pot recipes.

If you try this recipe, please don’t forget to rate it and share a picture on social media, tagging #NourishPlate in your posts. I would really love to see your creations. Bon appetit!