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
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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.
Weekend Recap + Food & Fitness #12 | Passionately Southern 10.11.2015
[…] – Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper // […]
Nicole 08.01.2015
I’m trying this out tonight! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I ate tons of Hamburger Helper when I was in college…except that I couldn’t afford meat, so I really just had “Helper”. I bet this will be much, much better than what I ate in college.
Ernie 04.20.2015
I loved the fact it says 30 minutes and it was just that. You can do so much more with this recipe. Add black beans and corn yummo! This will be going on my recipe board for a another meal.
Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper | Mom-Makes... 04.06.2015
[…] Homemade Taco Hamburger Helper – adapted from Iowa Girl Eats […]
Sara J 03.30.2015
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this yummy, crunchy dinner! I was recently diagnosed with Celiacs too but I was loving this quick dish long before my actual diagnosis. Husband and kid approved for sure. This recipe is my go-to for when I’m standing here at t-minus 30 till dinner and feeling clueless and tired. And since I take leftovers for lunch, I get to enjoy this for 2 or 3 days! Whoop!
Ken 11.17.2014
try adding Doritos at the end i think this is great
aracely 11.03.2014
I love eating hh crunchy taco but I love the recipe you have the box is just not enough for three ppl everyone always wants secondsand thirds! But this is NOT MEXICAN food believe me im a real mexican lol it just gets a bit annoying reading all the comments just like taco bell isisnt either:-D
What I’ve Been Nomming Lately // October 26, 2014 Edition | Meg Goes Nom Nom 10.26.2014
[…] Tuesday, October 21: Crunchy Taco “Hamburger Helper” […]
Melanie 10.23.2014
I made this for my boys tonight and they all loved it. Super simple which makes this tired mommy happy. Thank you!
Taco Niiiight | Pavement Party 09.15.2014
[…] It’s Taco Niiiiiight (say it with feelin’) & we found this recipe! […]
Jessica 09.07.2014
Made this tonight. SUPER easy and quick to prepare, and we all liked it! :)
Taco Night | Pavement Party 09.02.2014
[…] https://iowagirleats.com/2014/03/24/homemade-crunchy-taco-hamburger-helper-30-minute-meal/ […]
One Skillet Turkey Tacos | Blooming Burgh Boomer 06.09.2014
[…] up eating more taco shell than anything else. My recipe is based on a recipe I found at the blog Iowa Girl Eats. The meal is made in one skillet and only takes 20 minutes to make. It is also good for lunch the […]
Megan 05.06.2014
We made this last night and loved it–my boyfriend said he liked it better than regular tacos!! I don’t know if I’ve ever even had the actual Hamburger Helper taco version or not, but yours is a recipe we’ll keep on making over and over again :) Thanks!
Donna from Chicago 05.06.2014
I made this last night and it was delicious. Thanks for all of the great recipes.
What We’re Eating This Week | Say The Blessing 05.05.2014
[…] Wings Monday: Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper Tuesday: Hot Dogs (for Graham), my Bible Study Wednesday: Bacon Asparagus Pasta Thursday: Meatball […]
ginny 04.27.2014
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!
Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper | Basil & Rye 04.26.2014
[…] Adapted from Iowa Girl Eats. […]
Emily 04.19.2014
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 ;)
Jenn 04.15.2014
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!