few years ago, practically everything I made came from the air fryer, and before that, the Instant Pot was our dinnertime hero. But if I had to choose a countertop kitchen appliance that has stood the test of time, there’s no doubt I’d pick my slow cooker. I’ve relied on my slow cookers (I own three of them and have no plans to pare them down) more often in some years than others. This year is already shaping up to be a banner year for my slow cookers, thanks in part to my version of Hamburger Helper. 

Growing up, we ate boxed meals of pasta, cheese, seasonings, and ground beef so often that it’s one of my go-to comfort meals. Just one bite of this slow cooker version of Hamburger Helper brings me right back to the kitchen table of my childhood. Every bite is packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a cheesy tomato sauce. It’s delicious, filling, and even easier than the boxed version thanks to the slow cooker.  

Why You’ll Love It

• Tastes even better than the casserole you grew up with. This dinner is much more delicious than any convenience casserole thanks to ground beef, a cheesy tomato sauce, and tender pasta.
• It’s so flexible. This is one slow cooker recipe that works with your schedule, no matter what that schedule is. The bulk of the time is spent softening the peppers and marrying the flavors of the meat and tomato sauce, so you can cook it from as little as 2 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, adding the noodles during the final 30 minutes. 

Key Ingredients in Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

• Ground beef: Cook and brown ground beef while breaking it up into hearty crumbles before adding it to the slow cooker. Make sure to drain off any excess rendered fat. 
• Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese adds creamy texture and a protein boost to this retro dinner. The curds mostly melt away during the cooking process, but for a guaranteed smooth sauce, blend the cottage cheese and tomato sauce together in a food processor or blender first. 
• Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce is a budget-friendly way to add easy tomato flavor.
• Beef broth: One can of low-sodium beef broth adds enough moisture so that the elbow macaroni can cook right in the slow cooker.
• Elbow macaroni: Add 6 ounces elbow macaroni 30 minutes before serving so it can cook right in the sauce.
• Cheddar cheese: Shred sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater, or save yourself a step and buy a bag of pre-shredded cheese.

The Kitch’n