Vegetarian Instant Pot Hamburger Helper

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time20 min

This one-pot pasta comes together fast, with tender elbow macaroni simmered right in a savory, well-seasoned tomato sauce built from diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a blend of chili powder and smoked paprika. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, pulling everything together under pressure in just minutes so the pasta cooks through while soaking up all that flavor. Once the lid comes off, sour cream and melty shredded cheddar get stirred in for a creamy, tangy finish that turns the whole pot glossy and rich. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top brightens up each bowl before serving. It's a cozy, kid-friendly weeknight dinner that works great for a vegetarian table, and the pressure cooker method means you get big, comforting flavor without a long simmer or a sink full of dishes.

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Ingredients

4 servings

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
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Chef's tip
Pick the form that matches the recipe - a raw, moldable ground for patties, meatballs, or meatloaf; crumbles only for loose browned meat. Cook it in the recipe like the meat, checking doneness against the package guidance.
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
Chef's tip
Use the same amount of low-sodium vegetable broth. The dish will taste lighter and less meaty; a mushroom-rich vegetable broth gives the closest beefy flavor.
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni, dry
½ cup sour cream
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté (Normal). Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no pink remains, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off excess fat using a colander, then return the beef to the pot.
2
Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

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