Take comfort food to the next level with this MEGA delicious Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper!
Lately I have been craving all the comforting meals that come in the form of pasta and soup.
Mostly because we are having a very wintery March. So far, we’ve had three very bad storms, days without power, many school cancelations and a night awake with the CO alarm (carbon monoxide) going off and scaring me to death!
Can you blame me to seek all the comfort in my meals??!
March also turned out to be a very busy month for me, trying to squeeze a vacation in the middle of all that is going on, is very challenging. I don’t know about you but for me vacation just means I’ll have to work twice as much the week before we head out…
…But totally worth it!
Seeking Comforting Meals? Try These…
Instant Pot Mexican Chicken Soup
Instant Pot Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta
Instant Pot Three Cheese Macaroni
In addition to comfort, I wanted easy meals that don’t take up much time and are fulfilling. Much like this MEGA comforting and super easy Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper.
Basically what I am saying is, I want away from the kitchen(!) Take note of this because you won’t hear me say too often, haha. As much as I love my kitchen space and being a food blogger, off course, it is where I spend a lot of my time, but like I said earlier, my body is craving comfort and relaxation and only by bed/ couch/ tub can do that.
In all truth, we all go through phases, period of times, moods like this -AND THAT’S PERFECTLY OKAY- just like anything else, it will pass (keep in mind if this phase bothers you) but enjoy for what it is and what comes with it, like comfort foods 🙂
Take comfort in eating a yummy meal like this delicious hamburger helper pasta that you took the time to make and is much better for you then the box stuff. Self care is also a good way to give yourself the extra love you might be seeking, journaling, yoga, mindfully indulging on a (bite) of your favorite dessert, and remember YOU ARE LOVED!
Instant Pot Homemade Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbows shaped pasta
- 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 24 oz pasta sauce, of choice
- 24 oz filtered water, use pasta sauce jar to measure!
- 1 tsp basil seasoning
- 1 pinch salt + pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot on sauté mode. When hot add in oil and ground beef. Proceed to sauté as you break the beef apart. Cook until browned, fully cooked and crumbly (10-12 minutes)
- Add in elbows (pasta), tomato sauce, water, basil, salt and pepper. No need to stir but you can.
- Turn off sauté mode. Fit cover in place and switch valve to sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. When time is up, quickly release all pressure.
- When all pressure have been released, open the pot and add cheese and parsley (optional) on top. Do not stir. Place cover back on (don’t need to seal valve!) and let it sit for 5 minutes.
At our house, we call this “Hamburger NOT Helpless”.
hahaha… love it!!
This looks amazing, comfort food is the best, specially during this super long winter, spring is here and hopefully you will get better weather soon! great recipe 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!! Thanks Albert, let’s hope for a warm Spring 🙂
Just made this. It’s amazing !!!!!!! I didn’t have any ground beef, so I used a pound of sweet Italian sausage I had in the freezer. This was the first thing I’ve done in the Instant Pot. Thanks for the recipe. I’m really going to like the IP.
That’s fantastic, I am so HAPPY!! Thank you for your feedback too. The IP is awesome, I use mine almost every day and can’t say enough good things about it. Let me know if you ever need any help with ideas, adjustments, etc… hugs 🙂
My mouth is watering! So good!
This was yummy, but mine burned and stuck to the bottom of the pan really bad. I’m not sure what I did wrong. I followed the recipe.
Oh no! Did it sit too long? its hard to pinpoint what might have gone wrong, but I am glad it was a yummy recipe overall.
Is that cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese on top?
I used cheddar cheese but mozzarella will work just fine
Could this recipe be done in a slow cooker?
Hi Lee-Anne, I have never tried on a slow cooker therefore I wouldn’t be able to help you with times and all, but I am sure it can be done.