Air Fryer Hack: Hamburger Helper, Quick And Easy!

If you're looking to make a quick and easy meal with your air fryer, Hamburger Helper is a great option. This recipe uses ground beef, garlic powder, elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, American cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper to create a delicious and hearty dish. By using the air fryer, you can have a tasty and convenient meal with minimal cleanup. So, get your air fryer ready and let's dive into the world of Hamburger Helper!

Ingredients and measurements

• Ground beef: For the beef, you can use an 80/20 blend, which means 80% muscle and 20% fat. This blend will help keep the burgers moist and juicy. You will need 1 pound of ground beef to make four hamburger patties.
• Seasoning: Be generous with the seasoning! You can use Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. For a slightly salty and savoury flavour, use 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Butter: If you want to add a buttery flavour to your burgers, you can brush the patties with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 1 tablespoon of beef base.
• Cheese: If you want to add cheese to your burgers, you can use shredded cheddar, American cheese strips, or any other variety of cheese you prefer.
• Hamburger buns: Choose soft and squishy buns such as sesame seed or potato buns. You can also try salty pretzel buns or buttery brioche for added flavour.
• Toppings: The options for toppings are endless! Keep it classic with ketchup, lettuce, tomato, and pickles, or get creative with bacon, fried egg, BBQ sauce, pineapple, or a variety of cheeses. You can also make a special sauce by mixing 1/4 cup of mayo, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 teaspoon of sweet relish, 1/2 teaspoon of honey, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
• Spinach: If you want to add some extra vegetables to your dish, you can chop up 2 cups of fresh spinach and mix it in just before serving.
• Broth: If you are using an Instant Pot, you will need to add broth to cook the pasta.
• Half and half: To make the sauce for the pasta, stir in some half and half after cooking the pasta.

Remember to adjust the measurements based on the number of servings you want to make and your personal preferences for seasoning and toppings. Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and creating your perfect hamburger helper in the air fryer!

Cooking the beef

To cook the beef for your Hamburger Helper, you'll first want to select the right blend of ground beef. An 80/20 blend of ground beef is ideal as it has the right amount of fat to keep the beef juicy without too much grease.

Next, you'll want to season the beef. A simple combination of salt and pepper with a dash of onion and garlic powder will do the trick. You can also try adding BBQ sauce, which helps with caramelization and adds great flavour. Alternatively, you can use Worcestershire sauce, which gives the beef a deliciously deep and slightly salty flavour.

Now it's time to shape your beef into patties. Combine your ground beef with the seasonings and form the mixture into 4 equally-sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Make a small indent in the centre of each patty with your thumb to prevent the patties from swelling during cooking.

Once your patties are shaped, it's time to cook them in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350-370°F. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

If you're adding cheese to your Hamburger Helper, now is the time to do it. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty and cook for an additional minute to let the cheese melt.

And that's it! You've successfully cooked the beef for your Hamburger Helper in your air fryer.

Adding the pasta and broth

Now, it's time to add the pasta and broth. After browning the ground beef, press the "Cancel" button on your air fryer. Then, pour in the uncooked elbow macaroni and broth.

Secure the lid of your air fryer, ensuring that the vent is closed. Select the “Manual” or "Pressure Cook" function, and use the +/- keys to program the air fryer to cook for 4 minutes. When the timer goes off, quickly release the remaining pressure.

At this point, you can stir in the half-and-half, followed by the cheese, adding it slowly and stirring until it's melted. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Stirring in the cheese

Once you've cooked the ground beef, onion powder, and garlic powder in the Instant Pot, it's time to stir in the cheese! This is a crucial step in making delicious and creamy Hamburger Helper.

First, press the "Cancel" button on your Instant Pot to stop the "Saute" function. Then, pour in half and half, stirring it into the beef mixture. Now, it's time to add the cheese! Take your shredded cheddar cheese and stir it into the pot a little at a time. Keep stirring until all the cheese has melted and combined with the half and half to create a creamy sauce. You can also add some American cheese strips for an extra cheesy kick.

Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and pepper to your liking. You can also add some chopped spinach at this stage for a boost of colour and nutrition. Finally, top with some extra shredded cheese for garnish, if desired.

Your Hamburger Helper is now ready to serve! Enjoy your delicious, cheesy creation.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve your hamburger, and you can get creative with toppings and sides.

Firstly, you can keep it classic with the traditional toppings of ketchup, lettuce, tomato, and homemade pickles. You can also add cheese like American, pepper jack, or cheddar.

If you want to get more creative, here are some ideas:

• Cheeseburger with a slice of cheese, covered with a plate to help it melt faster.
• Secret sauce: use a secret sauce recipe to give your burger a flavour boost.
• Barbecue sauce: brush the patty with barbecue sauce for a sweet and smoky flavour.
• Pineapple: add a slice of pineapple, with teriyaki sauce and crisp bacon, for a Hawaiian-style burger.
• Fried egg: top your burger with a fried egg for a luxurious, drippy yolk.
• Pizza toppings: add mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and your favourite pizza toppings to create a pizza burger.
• Taco toppings: get creative and use your favourite taco toppings to make a taco burger.
• Bacon: crisp up some bacon in the air fryer to add a smoky flavour to your burger.
• Spicy: add some cayenne pepper and top your burger with pickled jalapenos for some heat.
• BBQ: brush the patty with BBQ sauce and top with sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Mediterranean: another option with a fresh taste is to top your patty with sliced tomatoes, chopped red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Mushroom and onions: sauté some mushrooms and onions and top your patty for added flavour.

As for sides, a pile of golden and crispy French fries is the classic choice, but you can also make sweet potato fries in the air fryer. For something lighter, try a refreshing coleslaw or a Greek salad. You can also make air fryer corn on the cob—delicious with butter and salt.

Frequently asked questions