If you’ve had a busy week and haven’t made it to the grocery store, I’ve got a winner of a ground beef dinner recipe which I can almost guarantee you’ve already got all the ingredients on hand to make!
Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is ready in 30 minutes, made in 1 skillet, and uses fridge and pantry staples. The recipe calls for just 7 ingredients compared to the boxed version’s 27 (I counted!)
Watch How to Make It!
If you’ve been reading IGE for any length of time then you know that one of my favorite things to do is remake processed, packaged foods like Taco Seasoning, Ranch Dressing, and Seasoned Salt to make them healthier at home. Well, today Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is joining the ranks. Heck it may even be the new captain.
All aboard!
Ok, that was cheesier than this dish, which actually doesn’t have that much cheese and is still yummy even if you want to leave it out. Ground beef is seasoned with homemade taco seasoning then 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 toppings like salsa, avocado, green onions, and crushed tortilla chips.
If your family likes quick, easy and satisfying meals, then they will absolutely gobble this one up!
How to Make this Recipe
Start by browning ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat with chopped shallot or onion. Drain then return to the skillet.
Next sprinkle in taco seasoning (either this single packet recipe, or 1-1/2 Tablespoons of my large batch taco seasoning, or a taco seasoning packet). Add the whole thing but don’t use the water that’s called for in the seasoning recipe or on the packet.
Next add your favorite salsa plus chicken broth then turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil.
Once boiling 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.
Remove the skillet from the heat then stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese until creamy and melted. Place a lid on top then let the rice continue to steam 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, totally yummy meal to your friends or family knowing it didn’t come from a preservative-filled box, right? And it was so easy, too – like I said, 30 minutes from start to finish. Enjoy!
More One Pan Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
- Beef and Veggie Enchilada Skillet
- One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
- American Goulash
- Italian Rice Ball Skillet
- Cheesy Chicken Burrito Skillet
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Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper
Description
Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is much healthier than the boxed version. Made in just 1 skillet and ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1lb lean ground beef
- 1 large shallot or 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1 taco seasoning packet OR 1 batch homemade taco seasoning (see notes), do not add water
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1-3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup long grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings: tortilla chips, salsa, sliced avocado, chopped green onions
Directions
- Brown ground beef with shallot in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain then return to the skillet. Add taco seasoning, salsa, and chicken broth then bring to a boil. Stir in rice then place a lid on top and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender then remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Place lid back on the skillet then let sit for 5 minutes before serving with toppings.
Notes
- For the taco seasoning: Use my single packet recipe, or 1-1/2 Tablespoons of my large batch homemade taco seasoning recipe.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Liz 04.08.2014
Made this with ground turkey breast and no tostitos… delish!
Five Things Friday 2014.04.04 | Mango About Town 04.04.2014
[…] Healthy Hamburger Helper!? […]
Leah M 04.02.2014
I made this last night and it was SO tasty and SO easy to make. The only issue I had was my that I didn’t read the instructions for my rice so the rice ended up a bit crunchy! I guess mine was “double crunchy homemade taco hamburger helper” :)
It was hubby AND kiddo approved, so I will be throwing this into the meal rotation…except next time my rice will actually be cooked!
Thanks for all of your great, healthy AND easy recipes!!
meredith 04.02.2014
I made this last night- very good, and very easy! Thank you! One quick question, if I wanted to use less rice next time – like 1/2 cup, do you have any idea of how much less broth to use? Thanks;)
Kristin 04.02.2014
You’d want to use just less than a cup of chicken broth!
Meredith 04.02.2014
Perfect- thanks so much for the response! And try stirring in plain greek yogurt when you are ready to eat it– delicious!
WIAW: There’s Always Room 04.02.2014
[…] once again to my girl, Kristen, we had a delicious dinner at home. Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper, to be […]
Trisha 03.31.2014
Just made this for dinner. I also made the mistake of using brown rice instead of white. It was totally worth the wait!!
Meal Planning Monday - Christinas Adventures 03.31.2014
[…] We really love Mexican flavors – excited to try this crunchy taco “hamburger helper”: […]
Christina 03.27.2014
THIS WAS SO SO SO SO GOOD!! i just had leftovers for lunch. it reheats and tastes even better the 2nd day!
AbbieD 03.27.2014
This was actually one of my favorite meals growing up…we just call it “Spanish Rice”. And instead of salsa, I throw in a can of diced tomatoes and a can of green chillies. AND a can of black beans!
And I don’t stir cheese into it…I just top it with cheese, sour cream, salsa, and chips. Yummy yum yum!
Angela 03.26.2014
I made this tonight and all I can say is shazam!! It is perfect and the man requested thirds! Thanks!!
Taco Hamburger Helper | Tri-Cooking 03.26.2014
[…] I lost track of days because I enjoyed this delicious dinner the past two nights: Iowa Girl Eats’ Taco Hamburger Helper. This dish is way out in left field for me. I think Mike had to do a double take when I emailed him […]
Ashley 03.26.2014
If you could make over a Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff version that would be amazing. It is my husbands favorite HH, but I hate to use the box version because of all the unknown ingredients.
Jenn 03.25.2014
I made this last night, and it was absolutely delicious! I didn’t expect for it to be as good as it was – I couldn’t stop eating it!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life 03.25.2014
Love these healthier revamps of packaged foods! This one looks great, and it has just a quarter of the ingredients as the store-bought one? Perfection!
Irene 03.25.2014
Thank you so much for the recipe, it was a HUGE hit last night. My husband’s new fave!!
Looking Forward To… 03.25.2014
[…] Kristin’s […]
Kissy 03.25.2014
Hi. Im from Spain and i read your post, I love it!!!
pilla 03.25.2014
Looks so delicious!
http://pernillabredolt.com
Katie | The Surly Housewife 03.25.2014
I can’t wait to hear about your Seattle trip. I have always wanted to visit. I LOVE your cheeseburger hamburger helper recipe so I and stoked to try this one. Thanks for sharing :) PInned!!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 03.24.2014
Looking forward to hearing your Seattle recap. It’s a place that I have always wanted to go.
As for this homemade hamburger helper, looks amazing and perfect for a weeknight meal. Definitely pinning it!