The Best Vegan Hamburger Helper is easy to make and uses easy-to-find ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Inspired by the cheeseburger flavor, tofu is seasoned and cooked for a beefy-tasting bite, and the pasta is cooked in a cheesy creamy sauce that everyone will love. You won't believe this is vegan!
This dish is comfort food heaven right here! Super cheesy and satisfying, all while being completely dairy-free and meat-free. I found most vegan hamburger helper recipes called for store-bought products such as vegan ground beef and vegan cheese. These products are not only expensive, but they can be difficult to find as not every grocery store carries them, and they are not always the healthiest.
So instead I made my vegan hamburger helper recipe using easy-to-find, affordable ingredients, that you might already have in your kitchen. For the vegan beef, I use extra-firm tofu that is crumbled and seasoned, then dried out in the oven. This makes the tofu super chewy and meaty. For the sauce, it's made using onions, garlic, vegetable broth, plain plant-based milk (such as soy milk or oat milk), nutritional yeast, ketchup, paprika, and salt. You will not believe how cheesy and delicious this sauce is! This recipe takes a little longer to prepare than traditional hamburger helper, but the extra time is just because the tofu needs to bake so it is completely hands-off. This recipe is easy to make and a new fave in my house!
If you are new to making tofu crumbles, you are in for a real treat! This crumbled and baked tofu technique is a fan favorite on my blog. Check out more recipes that use this technique including my Vegan Chorizo Tofu Crumbles, Vegan Tofu Taco Crumbles, Vegan Tofu & Beet Ground, Vegan Tofu Bacon Bits, Tofu Bolognese, The Best Ever Vegan Lasagna, The Best Vegan Chili (and there are still even more). Trust me when I say, once you start making tofu crumbles, you will never go back! Hamburger helper has never tasted so good. (And all while saving the animals too)!! Now onto the recipe!
How to Make The Best Vegan Hamburger Helper:
For the Tofu:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly grease the pan.
Mix nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and olive oil together in a large bowl. Open and drain the tofu (no need to press it), then break off chunks and add them to the bowl. Use a potato masher to mash the tofu into crumbles. Stir the tofu crumbles well making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated in the nutritional yeast mix.
Spread the tofu mixture evenly over the pan. Bake for about 30 - 35 mins, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. You want the tofu to be nice and browned. Set aside.
For the Hamburger Helper:
In the meantime, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and begin to brown.
Add 2 cups veggie broth, the plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, ketchup, paprika, and salt and mix to combine. Add the pasta and stir again. Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook covered until the pasta is al dente, stirring as needed, 10 - 15 minutes.
Once the pasta is al dente, add the baked tofu crumbles and stir in.
Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup cold vegetable broth in a small cup. Pour the slurry in with the noodles and tofu and mix. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly about 5 minutes. Serve hot.
If you have leftovers (you won't, haha), allow the pasta to cool then store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Gently reheat in the microwave.
The best vegan hamburger helper is:
- meaty
- cheesy
- comfort food heaven
- easy to make
What to serve with vegan hamburger helper:
Cheesy Vegan Garlic Bread
Corn Ribs
Garlic Sautéd Green Beans
Quick & Easy Mushroom Bacon
Grilled Butternut Squash
Everything Bagel Cauliflower Steaks
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
The Best Vegan Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 block (350g/ 12oz) extra-firm tofu
For the Hamburger Helper:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
- 2 ¼ cups vegetable broth divided
- 1 cup plant-based milk (such as oat or soy)
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups uncooked cavatappi pasta (also called scoobi doo) (or other short noodle) (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
For the Tofu:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly grease the pan.
- Mix nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and olive oil together in a large bowl. Open and drain the tofu (no need to press it), then break off chunks and add them to the bowl. Use a potato masher to mash the tofu into crumbles. Stir the tofu crumbles well making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated in the nutritional yeast mix.
- Spread the tofu mixture evenly over the pan. Bake for about 30 - 35 mins, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. You want the tofu to be nice and browned. Set aside.
For the Hamburger Helper:
- In the meantime, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the onions and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent and begin to brown. Add 2 cups vegetable broth, the plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, ketchup, paprika, and salt and mix to combine. Add the pasta and stir again. Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook covered until the pasta is al dente, stirring as needed, 10 - 15 minutes.
- Once the pasta is al dente, add the baked tofu crumbles and stir in.
- Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup cold vegetable broth in a small cup. Pour the slurry in with the noodles and tofu and mix. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly about 5 minutes. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
More vegan pasta recipes you might enjoy:
Robert Campbell says
Just make this tonight - very glad I did - my wife and I enjoyed this meal! Good flavors and a will definitely be making this one again. I'm looking into the other recipes that use this baked tofu crumble - thanks for sharing!
Shannon says
I made this a couple of weeks ago and it was delicious! My grandkids even had seconds! I'm making it again today for lunch and I can't wait to eat it again. Thanks for the awesome recipe!!!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you loved it! 🙂
Michelle M. says
Wow! I have to admit I was sort of skeptical but I was a believer after one bite.
I used elbows. Comfort food at its best. Thanks for another winner Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!!! So happy you loved it Michelle!
Jessica S. says
My family enjoyed this dish. It was tasty, easy and pretty darn quick to make (after the tofu cooked). I'm sure we'll be having it many times in the future.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you loved it!
Sarah Mackinnon says
Just made this and am thrilled to have another gluten/egg/diary free recipe to my book! I do eat meat however so I added in some ground beef - honestly *chefs kiss*. Some of the pasta comfort food I have been missing since changing my diet. Thank you!!
Lisa says
Great comfort food for a cool evening. An easy weeknight meal with a side salad!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed Lisa!!
Christina says
How much pasta is it by weight?
Darcie says
I have made three recipes from this site over the last week, and many others I the past year since I discovered this site. I loved all three (Chili, Pate, and this one). This one was super comforting and I had it for dinner and/or lunch like 4 days in a row which I never do. I made a few TINY adjustments. I used 2 full cups of pasta (and it was still plenty moist in the end) and added did 4 heaping TBSP nutritional yeast. I added a few generous shakes garlic powder and onion powder. Don't skip the ketchup. I thought that sounded weird but it makes the dish. SO GOOD.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you're enjoying so many of my recipes Darcie!
Ann M. says
I have never had Hamburger Helper before, so I can’t compare this recipe to that; but I can say this is one tasty dish! I left the tofu in the oven after I turned it off because I had a family gathering to go to before it could cool down, so it dried out quite a bit and became the perfect hamburger texture. I am so pleased with how this came out, and I can’t wait to eat it again tomorrow!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you loved it Ann!!
Abi says
Absolutely loved this! So tasty - we couldn't believe how easy and how incredibly good it is! Yet another firm favourite, Sam! Thanks to you, people think I'm a great cook LOL!!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha, you are a great cook!! So happy you enjoy my recipes 🙂
Susan Roman says
The prepared meal was sitting on the stove when my husband came home from work and he couldn't stop picking at it. He's always been a fan of hamburger helper. Personally, I could take it or leave it, but I'm sure it'll be requested again and again. He isn't necessarily plant based but since I am the one who cooks and I refuse to have meat in the house I'm always happy to find something he loves. Your recipes are always his favourites and mine too, Sam.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, wonderful! So happy you love so many of my recipes, Susan 🙂
Cortney says
This recipe is sooooo good! Making it again this week. New fav go to! Thanks for another yummy recipe Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you love it Cortney!
Melissa says
Wow, the sum is greater than its parts! I used tomato paste instead of ketchup, since I’m not a fan, and it turned out great. Thanks for another simple, tasty recipe.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed it Melissa!
Nicole says
I made this yesterday and it was SO GOOD. Thanks for another deliciously simple recipe, Sam!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! So happy you loved it! 🙂
Lizzie Violet says
If I use fresh pasta, do I still cook it as long? Looking forward to trying this.
Sam Turnbull says
Cook it just until the pasta is al dente. With fresh pasta that will probably be a few minutes less. Enjoy!
Diego Gal says
Wow! Ketchup and nutritional yeast? I don't know how that worked but IT DID. This was delicious! And super easy! I'll be making this one often. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Haha, it's magic! So thrilled you loved it Diego!
Sami says
Amazing! I cut the recipe in half (im trying to lose a little weight and feared that if I made the whole batch I would also eat the whole batch in one sitting). I found I kept having to add water to it while cooking the noodles and, at the end, it was the perfect amount of liquid so I didn't bother with the starch slurry. Also, my ketchup was way too sweet for my liking so I added a splash of Apple cider vinegar and it came out perfect. I haven't eaten cheeseburger hamburger helped in over 15 years, but this tastes better than I remember that tasting.
Sam Turnbull says
Glad you enjoyed!
Denise says
Your new recipe came to my inbox just as I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight....so guess what I made? Your vegan hamburger helper recipe was just amazing! My husband and I both loved it and came back for second helpings. Very comforting and satisfying. Thank you, Sam, for a new recipe to add to my repertoire!
Sam Turnbull says
Thrilled you enjoyed it so much, Denise! 🙂