Healthy hamburger helper is pasta sauce made from creamy garlicky butternut squash tossed with seasoned ground beef. This 10 ingredient healthy version of our beloved childhood Hamburger Helper is perfect for pasta lovers everywhere!
Peel and cube the butternut squash. Place into a large pot and add enough water to cover it. Cook over medium heat until soft, about 10-15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water for the sauce.
Into a blender, add slightly cooled butternut squash, reserved water, minced garlic and season with salt and pepper. Blend for 20 seconds, scrape the sides of the blender, and blend again until smooth.
for the hamburger helper pasta
Place 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef along with the chopped onion, salt and pepper. Cook the ground beef, breaking it up with your spoon until browned, 6-8 minutes.
Stir in the ketchup and beef broth. Increase the heat to high and bring to boil.
Add in the pasta and reduce the heat to medium. Let it cook uncovered until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes.
Turn of the heat; stir in the butternut squash sauce and shredded cheddar cheese.