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: Brown 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.
I made this last night and it was delicious. Thanks for all of the great recipes.
Making this for seriously like the 6th time since you posted it! It’s so easy, so good, Gfree and the husband and the 2 year old LOVE it! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Yes, I am a recovering Hamburger Helper-lover! I just made YOUR recipe tonight for the first time, and it was sensational! Obviously, much fresher tasting.
I love that it’s so versatile. I cut up some corn tortilla strips and baked them — and put them on top. I also added frozen corn – and I bet black beans would be good next time too. And I drizzled it with sour cream + salsa. And cilantro, obvs. My husband called this Mexican Stir Fry ;)
This was so delicious! I made this one night for dinner, and had leftovers for lunch all week, and didn’t get sick of it! I was pleasantly surprised about how delicious it was!
Made this with ground turkey breast and no tostitos… delish!
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!!
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;)
You’d want to use just less than a cup of chicken broth!
Perfect- thanks so much for the response! And try stirring in plain greek yogurt when you are ready to eat it– delicious!
Just made this for dinner. I also made the mistake of using brown rice instead of white. It was totally worth the wait!!
THIS WAS SO SO SO SO GOOD!! i just had leftovers for lunch. it reheats and tastes even better the 2nd day!
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!
I made this tonight and all I can say is shazam!! It is perfect and the man requested thirds! Thanks!!
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.
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!