Easy One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper

A spatula dishes out a helping of cheesy macaroni from a skillet.

Easy One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper

This Vegan Hamburger Helper is a comforting, one-pot dish that’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Made with savory Impossible Ground and tender pasta cooked in a deliciously smooth gravy, this meal is the perfect plant-based version of the classic favorite. It’s quick to make, comes together in just one pot for easy cleanup, and delivers a hearty dinner the whole family will love!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings servings

Calories 454kcal

Author Marly McMillen

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 ½ cups veggie crumbles (such as Gardein, Beyond Beef, or Impossible Grounds)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 cups water
1 teaspoon better than bouillion (substitute soy sauce)
1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (soy, oat, almond)
2 cups elbow noodles (see notes)
salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Sauce

1 ½ cups vegan cheddar shreds
3 tablespoons vegan cream cheese
Garnish: Fresh chopped parsley, thinly sliced green onions

Optional Add-Ins

1 cup frozen peas or corn

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Cook the Crumbles:

Add veggie ground crumbles to the pan. Sauté until heated through and lightly browned. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika. Optional, add 1 tsp each of onion powder & mustard powder). Let everything cook together for 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Add Broth and Liquid:

Stir together the vegetable broth and the boullion to make a broth. Gradually stir the broth into the skillet, stirring to combine. Stir in the milk. Then, stir in the pasta, ensuring it's mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. If needed, add a splash more broth.

Make it Cheesy:

Lower the heat and stir in the vegan cheese and cream cheese (if using). Mix until melted and creamy. Cook for another minute or two until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened. The sauce continues to thicken as it cools.

Finish and Serve:

Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with a handful of sliced scallions if you like, and serve hot.
Serve with a side salad, roasted broccoli, or just by itself in a big bowl.

Storage:

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezer: Transfer cooled pasta into freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheating: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of plant-based milk to revive creaminess.

Video

Notes

Marly's Tips:

Customization: Feel free to add in veggies like peas, spinach, or mushrooms during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition.
Make it cheesy: For an extra cheesy version, you can mix in ½ cup of vegan shredded cheese towards the end.
Meal Prepping: Double the recipe for meal prep—it makes fantastic leftovers.
Gluten-Free: For a gluten-free version, use GF pasta and ensure bouillon/crumbles are GF.

Plant-Based Meat:

Veggie crumbles (like Gardein or my homemade vegan ground beef) can go straight into the skillet after the onion and garlic.
Plant-based ground beef (such as Impossible or Beyond) should be cooked first. Brown it in the skillet, then transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to absorb excess oil. Give the skillet a quick swipe with a paper towel before continuing with the onions.
Half & half option: I love using half Beyond Beef (one cooked burger) mixed with cooked lentils. You get the flavor of Beyond with the nutrition of lentils—the best of both worlds!
Fast tip: Need it quicker? A single Beyond or Impossible burger cooks in the microwave in about 2 minutes (frozen may take longer). Then crumble it into the skillet with a spatula.

Nutrition