Description
This One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger Pasta) is a hearty, comforting, and flavorful vegan twist on the classic boxed pasta dish. Made with vegan ground beef alternative, rotini pasta, and a creamy cheesy sauce, it’s perfect for a quick and satisfying meal ready in 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 lb. vegan ground beef alternative
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 cups warm unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened milk of your choice)
- 1 cup warm vegan beef broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups rotini pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded vegan cheddar cheese (or vegan cheese of your choice)
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Heat and Sauté: Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the oil, diced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are softened and the garlic is fragrant.
- Cook Vegan Ground Beef: Add the vegan ground beef alternative to the skillet and break it up with a cooking utensil. Cook, stirring often, for about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Add Spices: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch, chili powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper until uniform. Sprinkle this mixture over the vegan ground beef and stir well to combine.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the warm almond milk, vegan beef broth, tomato sauce, and add the rotini pasta. Bring all ingredients to a boil.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Once boiling, cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 12 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Remove from heat and note that the sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Melt Cheese: Sprinkle shredded vegan cheddar cheese over the cooked pasta and stir until the cheese has melted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve warm for a comforting vegan meal.
Notes
- This recipe uses a vegan ground beef alternative, but any plant-based ground protein can be substituted.
- Warm the almond milk and broth before adding to help the pasta cook evenly and melt the cheese better.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or chili powder for extra flavor.
- Any pasta shape can be used, but shorter pasta like rotini or elbow macaroni works best for even cooking.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor but can be omitted.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
