Break up with the box! Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper squashes the craving for something hearty and satisfying in a much healthier way than store-bought hamburger helper. This quick and easy one-pan, 30 minute meal is made from a handful of everyday ingredients and is a true family favorite.
“I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now. My whole family loves it! It’s simple, straight forward ingredients I always have on hand, and delicious. Definitely a recipe that should be added to your rotation.”
If you’ve had a busy week and didn’t made it to the grocery store, my Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is an easy ground beef dinner recipe made with ingredients I can almost guarantee you already have on hand.
Made in 1 pan, ready in 30 minutes, plus the recipe calls for just 7 ingredients (compared to the boxed version’s 27 – yes, I counted), my family inhales this “taco rice” for dinner every single time I make it!
Watch How to Make It
Healthier Homemade Hamburger Helper
One of my favorite things to do is remake processed, packaged foods to make them healthier at home.
Today Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is joining the ranks. Heck it may even be the new captain.
All aboard!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItOk, that was cheesier than this delicious dish which features ground beef seasoned with homemade taco seasoning that’s simmered with long grain white rice and chicken broth until tender.
Freshly shredded cheddar cheese is stirred in at the end then the whole dish is topped with taco-inspired extras like salsa, avocado, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips.
If your family likes quick, easy and satisfying meals – and tacos, of course! – they will gobble this one up.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Grown the ground beef.
Start by browning ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat with chopped shallot or onion. Drain away any excess fat in a colander then return the beef to the skillet.
Step 2: Season with taco seasoning.
Next sprinkle in taco seasoning. I recommend my single packet recipe, or 2 Tablespoons of my large batch taco seasoning. A store-bought taco seasoning packet is fine too.
Recipe Note
Whichever seasoning you use, do not add the water that’s called for in the seasoning recipe or on the packet.
Step 3: Add the liquid.
Next add your favorite salsa plus chicken broth then turn the heat up to high and bring the liquid to a simmer.
Step 4: Add the rice then simmer.
Once simmering, stir in long-grain white rice then place a lid on top, turn the heat down to low, and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid is nearly absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese then serve.
Remove the skillet from the heat then stir in freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese until smooth and melted. Place a lid on top then let the rice continue to steam and soften for 5 minutes.
When time is up, scoop the homemade taco hamburger helper onto plates then add your toppings and dig in.
Just think of how much better you’ll feel serving this hearty meal to your family knowing it didn’t come from a preservative-filled box. Plus it’s so easy – like I said, 30 minutes from start to finish. Enjoy!
More One Pan Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
- American Goulash
- Italian Rice Ball Skillet
- Cheesy Chicken Burrito Skillet
- Creamy Summer Veggie Gnocchi Skillet
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 large shallot or 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1 recipe homemade taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1-3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice, Lundberg recommended
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings: tortilla chips, salsa, sliced avocado, chopped green onions
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and shallot or onion then brown the beef until cooked through. Drain in a colander then return the mixture to the skillet. Add the taco seasoning, salsa, and chicken broth then stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Once simmering, add the rice, stir to combine, place a lid on top of the skillet, then turn the heat to low – the liquid should barely be bubbling. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender then remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle the cheese on top, and stir until smooth and melted. Place the lid back on top then let sit for 5 minutes before serving with toppings.
Notes
- For the taco seasoning: use my single packet recipe, 2 Tablespoons of my large batch homemade taco seasoning, or a store-bought taco seasoning packet.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Read the heading on Step 1. :)
Good and simple recipe.
How can I make this with minute rice?
Hey Sarah! This recipe was developed using long grain white rice. Significant testing would be required to know how to modify the recipe using minute rice.
solid recipe. life saver, thanks!
Yasss – glad to hear it, Kimberly! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I grew up eating this Hamburger Helper meal, and when I couldn’t find it on the shelves anymore it was a bummer. This recipe makes the original taste even better and it’s truly so easy and simple to put together with very little mess or clean up involved. I’ve made this recipe more than five times and loved it each time.
I’m SO glad this recipe is a hit for more reasons than one, Julia!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This has been in our regular dinner rotation for several years. We all love it. Occasionally I’ll throw a can of rinsed and drained black beans in it as well. Easy recipe to double +.
I love that, Erin! So glad this is a long time go-to of yours – I’m truly thrilled to hear it. :) Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Easy, quick and delicious! A quick go-to for dinner and leftovers for another time.
Wohoo! So glad this was a hit for you, Shirley!! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I love cooking this, but I always end up having to cook it for an extra 30 minutes and add almost another 1.5 cups of broth or else the rice is still crunchy! Any pointers as to what I’m doing wrong? I’ve used jasmine and long grain rice.
Hey Lyn! I’m so glad you love this recipe! I can’t think of why the rice would need extra time or liquid unless it was brown rice. Do you keep the lid on while the rice is cooking?
I always come back to this recipe!! I love it! I even make my Mexican rice this way without the taco meat and it’s my favorite.
I’m SO glad to hear that, Jessica!! Thrilled it’s a go-to of yours. Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
This recipe is PERFECTTT. I like Jasmine rice best with it. I took others advice and added a can of [DRAINED AND RINSED] beans – black and pinto both work – and a can of [DRAINED] whole kernel sweet corn (do not use creamed corn). To stretch it (and make it heartier and tastier) I put in a can of petite diced tomatoes [NOT DRAINED] and a small can of [DRAINED] sliced black olives. Because of how much extra food I put in, I double the salsa. We love extra sauce anyways. I set up a topping buffet (like Subway) with a bag of shredded lettuce (they’re cheap), fresh diced roma tomatoes, fresh diced white onion, fresh sliced jalapenos, diced avocados, fresh limes (for squeezing over dish) shredded cheddar cheese, hot sauce, taco sauce, salsa, spicy ranchero sauce, sour cream and tortilla chips. Of course corn chips would be delish with it, too. Like real hamburger helper.
Oh I love this, Andrea!! So glad you’ve found ways to make this dish your own — it sounds *delicious*!!
easy and tasty, thank you.
Thrilled to hear this, Herb! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
I’ve been making this recipe for a few years now. My whole family loves it! It’s simple, straight forward ingredients I always have on hand, and delicious. Definitely a recipe that should be added to your rotation.
Thank you so much for this awesome feedback, Erin! Thrilled this is a regular go-to of yours!