Instant Pot Boxed Hamburger Helper is a quick and easy way to make your favorite boxed Hamburger Helper in the pressure cooker. Ground beef, pasta, and the included seasoning cook together for an easy family dinner with just 5 minutes of pressure cooking.
Hamburger Helper was something we ate quite a bit when I was growing up. I still think it’s a great option when you need an affordable dinner without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Making it in the Instant Pot is even easier!
“My kids enjoy hamburger helper and so do I because it’s so quick and easy to make!”
Why I Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Boxed Hamburger Helper: Use your favorite flavor, including the seasoning packet.
- Ground Beef: Use 1 pound of ground beef, browned and drained.
- Water: Helps cook the pasta in the Instant Pot.
- Milk: Makes the sauce creamy.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Instant Pot Boxed Hamburger Helper
Brown the Ground Beef: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Add the Ingredients: Stir in the uncooked pasta, seasoning packet, water, and milk.
Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
Quick Release: Carefully release the pressure when cooking is complete.
Stir and Serve: Stir everything together until the sauce is creamy. Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before serving.
Tips I Found Helpful 🩵
- Use a ground meat chopper to break the beef into small, even pieces.
- Add the pasta straight from the box without cooking it first.
- Stir in the seasoning packet with the water and milk before pressure cooking.
- Let the Hamburger Helper sit for a minute or two after cooking if you prefer a thicker sauce.
More Instant Pot Recipes
How to Store Leftovers 🩵
Store leftover Instant Pot Hamburger Helper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk to keep the pasta creamy. Stir until heated through.
Instant Pot Boxed Hamburger Helper
Instant Pot Boxed Hamburger Helper is an easy, one-pot dinner made with ground beef, pasta, and a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 box Hamburger Helper, including seasoning packet
- 1½ cups water
- 1½ cups milk
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the water, uncooked pasta, milk, and seasoning packet. Stir to combine.
- Secure the lid and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
- Carefully perform a Quick Release when cooking is complete.
- Stir and serve warm.
Notes
Use your favorite flavor of boxed Hamburger Helper. For a thicker sauce, let it sit for a few minutes after cooking. Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 250mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 2gProtein: 34g
Can I do this with the tuna ones? Same process?
Mine was really runny after the 5 mins
Can I thumbs down ad placement in middle of the recipe? Impossible to screen shot whole recipe. Not Your fault, but tell your sponsors to move off home plate?
Do you have the 6 or 8 quart model?
What size box is this for? Do you double for two boxes?
I used one box 🙂 you can double it though and use the same time
If we have 2 boxes of it, would you double the water and cook time?
@Courtney Witherell, No, same cook time.
Have you tried the potato stroganoff hamburger helper in the instant pot? If so any changes or suggestions
Do you drain the beef after cooked?
I did not but you can
I didn’t drain, but wish I had. The first time I try anything new, I have a rule to follow the recipe strictly. I didn’t drain the beef, but wish I had.
Other than the additional grease, the flavor was great. I agree with your comment about the Instant Pot marrying the flavors more fully. I’m seeing great potential in my new investment! Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope to see more.
Is there no need to drain the oil from the beef? Looks delish!
It was super runny but edible! I might suggest adding a little bit of cornstarch to thicken it up? 🙂
I used 3/4 suggested amount of liquids and it turned out perfectly!
Do u double for 2 boxes? So 1.5 total liquid for each?
@Nikki, OR you could use less liquid?
Have you ever had a problem with your instant pot saying burn and the noodles are burned to the bottom before it is done?
@Cathy Palacios, put the liquids in first and layer the other ingredients and do not stir the ingredients together and hopefully that should help
Tried this tonight. How easy. Will be making this again
My instant pot is a 3 qt. What would the amounts be for water and milk?
@June Leathers, me, too, and I used the same amounts. Turned out fine.
We’re on a tight buget and I’ve had a stroke so my ability to cook has gone so my Son does all the cooking and this has been a lifesaver!!! Super Easy and comes out Great Every time!!! Thank You So Much!!
@Debbie McDoniel, I have chronic back pain, so I’m really glad to know that the IP is helping. I’m happy for you that your son is there to help!
Thank you for this! I’m a new Instant Pot user and finding instructions to be able to use it so broadly is making me enjoy it (8 don’t like cooking).
Just looked at three different types of Hamburger Helper that I have. Each one uses a different amount of water and milk. Do you find that using the 1.5/1.5 works for all varieties, or is it better to follow the proportions for the particular variety?
Gonna try it now so I might have my own answer, but was curious as to what others do.
If someone need to make 2 boxed of hamburger helper in the instant pot would the 5 min cook time go up to 10 mins or still stay at 5? Thank you in advance!
Same time
I want to make hamburger helpers stroganoff today for dinner. I need to know should i fellow the box for the liquid amount or just your recipe should work .I was worried cause the box said add 2 1/4 c. of milk plus 3 /4 of water. I also wanted to make two boxes . So i need to know if i double all the liquid.
Has anyone ever done hamburger helper in the crockpot before
@Freda Eldridge, yes and it actually works quite nicely. I always brown the ground beef first, though.
I did six minutes instead of five. Everything was perfect. Added a teaspoon of sour cream and some fresh cracked pepper to my own bowl… and it satisfied our processed food craving lol. My daughter and I eat healthy most of the time, but sometimes we just want HH
It was good but the past was under cooked. I also added in a can of rotel to the chili mac flavor. it was a niced addition so fast
I used this to make double and it was perfect. I put some sharp cheddar cheese in it at the end and it was delicious. If your doing one box I would put 3/4 milk and 3/4 cup water.
If I double this recipe do I double all measurements?
Yes
I use this all the time. Thank you sooo much. True life saver! 💖
Has anyone tried the hash brown hamburger helper in the Instant Pot?
Can this be done with lasagna hamburger helper? If so do I replace milk with water?
yes