Vegan Hamburger Helper

Name: Vegan Hamburger Helper
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced or (1/2 tsp onion powder)); 3 cloves garlic (minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)); 1 (12 oz) package vegan burger meat (Like Beyond or Impossible Beef, or 3 vegan burgers broken up into pieces.); 1 teaspoon chili powder; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth; 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 cups macaroni (uncooked); 2 cups vegan cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1/2 tsp dried parsley (optional))

by Monica Davis on July 27, 2026 0 comments

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

This quick and easy 1-pot vegan hamburger helper is sure to be your family’s new favorite meal. This recipe uses a few simple vegan ingredients and comes together in about 25 minutes. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of plant-based protein.

A top view of a skillet full of vegan hamburger helper

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get more amazing vegan recipes that will satisfy your cravings!

Why make this recipe

This high-protein vegan cheesy mac is rich, creamy, and satisfying. It tastes just like Hamburger Helper from your childhood, and the whole family is sure to love it.

This one-pot vegan hamburger helper is so quick and easy to make; it is sure to go into your weekly rotation.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive Oil – or any cooking oil of your choice.
Onion – this adds a lot of flavor, but feel free to omit it or use shallots instead. You can use a white or yellow onion.
Garlic – Fresh garlic has the most flavor, but you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Chili Powder – for that classic Hamburger Helper flavor. You can also swap this out for paprika if you choose.
Vegan Hamburger Meat – I usually use Beyond Beef burger and crumble them up, but you can also use a bag of vegan beef crumbles, or make your own using my recipe for TVP beef crumbles.
Tomato Paste – For a rich umami flavor.
Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth – You can also use vegan beef-flavored broth, but it’s hard to find, so I just use vegetable broth with soy sauce to achieve a similar beefy flavor.
Soy Sauce – You can also swap this for Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or Tamari.
Pasta – I usually use elbow macaroni, but you can use any medium-sized pasta shape that you have.
Vegan Cheddar Cheese – I use a bag of shredded vegan cheddar for convenience, but you can also make your own vegan cheddar and shred it. To make this dish more nutrient-dense, you can swap the cheese for 2 cups of cashew cream and 4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast.

Helpful tools

A large skillet or a pan with a lid large enough to hold about 10 cups of liquid.

How to make vegan hamburger helper

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

Step 1 – Peel and dice an onion, then add it to 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute it over medium-low heat until slightly translucent.

Step 2 – Add the vegan hamburger meat to the onions, along with 3 minced cloves of garlic. (If using hamburger patties, use a spatula or a wooden spoon to break them up into small bite-sized pieces. Saute for about 5 minutes until the hamburger is cooked through.

Sauteed onions with vegan hamburger meat added cooking in a large skillet. — Saute the onion in olive oil, then add the garlic and vegan burger meat.

Tomato paste added to the cooked onions and vegan burger meat. — Saute the onion in olive oil, then add the garlic and vegan burger meat.

Step 3 – Add the spices (chili powder and onion or garlic powder if not using fresh) and tomato paste to the cooked vegan burger meat, then sauté for another minute.

Step 4 – Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth, 1 cup of water, and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, stir well, then add 2 cups of pasta (or 1/2 of a 16 oz package), turn the stove to medium heat, and stir well again.

Vegetable broth being added to the vegan burger mixture. — Add vegetable broth and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to the beef mixture.

Macaroni added to the vegan burger mixture. — Add vegetable broth and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to the beef mixture.

Step 5 – Place a lid on top of your pot and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6 – After the pasta has cooked for 10 minutes, add a bag (2 cups) of vegan shredded cheese to the mixture and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Vegan hamburger helper after the pasta has cooked. — Cook the pasta in the broth, covered, for 10 minutes, then add the vegan cheese.

Vegan hamburger helper after the cheese has been added. — Cook the pasta in the broth, covered, for 10 minutes, then add the vegan cheese.

Step 1 – Garnish with parsley and add salt and pepper to taste if desired.

Pro Tips

You may need to add a few tablespoons of water to the dish towards the end of cooking, depending on the size of the pasta used. It will also help to make it saucier if desired.
If you want a lower-sodium option, be sure to use low-sodium broth and soy sauce.

Vegan hamburger helper in a blue skillet after cooking.

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate: This vegan hamburger helper will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 5 days.

Freeze: Leftovers freeze well and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat a serving of vegan hamburger helper in the microwave for about 3 minutes or add a few tablespoons of water and reheat it in a saucepan on the stovetop.