Instant Pot Homemade Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner

Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper is a perfect weeknight dinner: rich ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese come together for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. This easy copycat version beats the boxed mix and can be made in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker.

Quick, satisfying, and made from common pantry ingredients, this recipe comes together in about 20 minutes in the Instant Pot. Serve it with garlic knots or a simple roasted vegetable salad for a complete, cozy dinner the family will love.

Think of hamburger helper as a beefy, saucy macaroni and cheese. It’s simple, comforting, and adaptable. Use your favorite short pasta, your preferred pasta sauce, and a good melting cheese for the best results.

Homemade hamburger helper ingredients

• Pasta – Elbow macaroni works well, but any short pasta will do.
• Ground beef – Use 80/20 grass-fed or regular ground beef for flavor without excess greasiness.
• Tomato sauce – Use a favorite jarred sauce or a homemade tomato sauce.
• Dried herbs – A little basil and parsley add a nice herbaceous note.
• Cheese – Shredded cheddar or mozzarella gives a stretchy, gooey finish.

How to make hamburger helper in the Instant Pot

Making this in the Instant Pot is straightforward and fast. Follow these four steps:

Step 1: Sauté the beef. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté, heat oil, and brown the ground beef, breaking it into crumbs until fully cooked.

Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients. Add the pasta, tomato sauce, water, basil, salt, and pepper. You can stir gently or leave as is.

Step 3: Pressure cook. Turn off Sauté, secure the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes. Do a quick release when the timer finishes.

Step 4: Melt the cheese and serve. Open the pot, sprinkle cheese and chopped parsley on top, replace the lid (no need to seal) and let sit a few minutes until the cheese melts. Serve hot.

Stovetop instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a large oiled pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add pasta, tomato sauce, water, basil, salt, and pepper; stir to combine.
3. Cover and simmer 12–15 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat, top with cheese and parsley, cover until the cheese melts, then serve.

Slow cooker instructions

1. Brown the beef in a skillet, then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add tomato sauce, water, basil, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker with the beef.
3. Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 2–3 hours.
4. Add the pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking; cover until the pasta is cooked through.
5. Top with cheese and parsley, cover until the cheese melts, then serve.

Frequently asked questions

Why am I getting a burn notice?

This can happen if browned bits stick to the bottom during sautéing. Make sure to deglaze the pot with a splash of tomato sauce or water and scrape up any stuck bits before pressure cooking.

Can hamburger helper be made vegetarian?

Yes. Substitute plant-based ground meat, cooked beans, or omit meat entirely and increase the vegetables or beans for protein.

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes. Cook the dish ahead and refrigerate or freeze. Reheat on the Instant Pot Sauté setting, on the stovetop, or in the oven until warmed through.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Recipe