Hamburger helper is a comforting classic, this recipe is the yummy meal you know but heathier and vegan. I love that it is just as quick and easy to make. It’s easy & cheesy this vegan hamburger helper recipe adds some healthy lentils for a 30 minute meal you’ll want to make again.
You can easily make a vegan hamburger helper meal with vegan grounds, dairy free cheese and oil. However, I challenged myself to make the most Whole Food Plant Based, vegan, oil free, no highly processed ingredient version that I could.
I also wanted this recipe to be just as easy as the original hamburger helper. So, no blenders or soaking cashews are needed. It’s as simple as mixing up some dry ingredients to make your own cheese mix, whisking that with dairy-free milk and adding in cooked pasta and canned lentils.
Ingredients
Whole Wheat Pasta– I opt for whole wheat or chickpea pasta and stay away from the white refined pasta. But, you can also use gluten free pasta if you want to make this recipe GF.
Nutritional Yeast– This is the only harder to find ingredient I typically buy it on amazon and can sometimes find it at Whole Foods. Nutritional yeast gives us that cheesy flavor without any dairy or processed cheese and if you are familiar with vegan cooking it is often used. Typically found fortified with extra B vitamins.
Lentils– Using canned lentils is very easy, however feel free to cook your own brown lentils. I found canned lentils in the Italian section of the supermarket. Lentils are high in antioxidants, and contain protein, iron, zinc and folate.
Plant Based Milk– I used unsweetened almond milk however oat, rice, cashew, coconut, soy or any other plant based milk should work fine. Make sure your milk is unsweetened and unflavored.
Take your Vegan Hamburger Helper to the Next Level
- Add in a cup of veggies. Try peas, sliced mushrooms, or chopped broccoli
- Add in a few tbsp. of tomato paste or tomato sauce for a more tomato flavor
- Get decadent and add in your favorite vegan cheese shreds
- Add a kick with some chopped jalapenos
Want more vegan pasta dishes? Try these recipes next:
Easy Vegan Hamburger Helper with Lentils
A cozy classic made vegan in under 30 minutes. Healthy, easy to make cheesy pasta dish with no oil and whole food ingredients.
Ingredients
- 16 oz whole wheat macaroni noodles
- 3/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 14 oz lentils
- 2 ½ cups plain plant based milk
Instructions
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Boil noodles per package instructions.
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In a small bowl mix dry ingredients (everything but lentils & milk).
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In a large sauté pan add the cheese mix and milk. Whisk over medium heat about 5 minutes.
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Add in the drained lentils & drained pasta. Mix until evenly cheesy and let sit on low heat for a few minutes for lentils to warm up.
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Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- I used canned lentils that I found in the Italian section of my supermarket. You can use your own cooked lentils (about 1 1/2 cup) however make sure they are not mushy.
- I used unsweetened almond milk however any plant based milk should work. Make sure it is not flavored and unsweetened.
- For extra yumminess try:
- Adding in a cup of veggies like peas, mushrooms or broccoli
- Adding in some of your favorite vegan cheese shreds for extra cheesiness
- Adding in some chopped jalapenos for a spicy kick
If you make this vegan hamburger helper with lentil recipe I would love a comment below of how you liked it.
Don’t forget to Pin the recipe for later and share your photo with me on Instagram @emilyhappyhealthy .
Stay Happy & Healthy !
– Emily
Learn more about lentils from Dr. Greger – Lentils and Nutrition: The Latest Research | NutritionFacts.org
Learn more about nutritional yeast – Why Is Nutritional Yeast Good for You? (healthline.com)
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