Do you love cheeseburgers? Here is a one-pot wonder that will please your entire family: low sodium cheeseburger pasta. It is reminiscent of a homemade Hamburger Helper…but without an insane amount of sodium. This family-friendly pasta creates a cheeseburger flavor profile with very little prep or cleanup. Done in 30 minutes, this dish will be a family favorite!
This low salt beef pasta casserole will become a family favorite. This recipe checks all the boxes from taste to ease of making. In fact, the entire meal comes together in one pan! Truly a one-pot wonder.
I like to pair this dish with a veggie or two since this recipe is already fairly rich and filling. Depending on your personal taste, you could play up some ingredients while downplaying others. For example, I’m always heavy-handed when it comes to mustard so I typically amp up the mustard flavor. Not everyone likes mustard, so dial it back if you prefer.
Move over salty Hamburger Helper…Low Sodium Homemade Cheeseburger Pasta is here to stay!
Low Sodium Cheeseburger Pasta
Here is a one-pot wonder that will please your entire family: low sodium cheeseburger pasta. It is reminiscent of a homemade Hamburger Helper…but without the insane amount of sodium found in that famous red box.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Whole jar (25 oz.) of no salt tomato/marinara sauce
- Whole box (16 oz.) of penne pasta, uncooked
- 3 cups of unsalted chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons of dried minced onion
- 1/2 cup of no salt added ketchup (get the recipe)
- 2 teaspoons of mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
Instructions
- In a dutch oven warm the oil over medium heat.
- Add ground beef, garlic powder, and cook heat until meat is no longer pink; breaking up into chunks. When the beef is about 80% done, add the dried minced onion.
- Add tomato sauce, uncooked pasta, mustard powder, ketchup, and chicken broth; stir to combine while ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook until pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally.
- Top with a sprinkling of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
Notes
- I prefer using the dried minced onion in this recipe, but you could definitely use fresh chopped onion. Simply add 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion to your dutch oven when you add your ground beef.
- I recommend putting out a bowl of shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese and letting people top their plate with the amount of cheese they desire. Adding it this way gives you the visual representation of topping a burger with cheese. More importantly, since cheddar cheese is high in sodium, it also allows people to match the amount of cheese to their dietary needs.
- The recipe calls for penne, but you can use any pasta you like. Elbow macaroni works well as do egg noodles. It is totally your call. Make it your own!
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Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1 Amount Per Serving Calories 190Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 53mgSodium 173mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 19gNutritional information is provided as an estimate. Nutritional content may vary due to several factors such as how much of an ingredient is used vs. how much will actually be eaten, brand differences, and more. To ensure the most accurate nutritional information, the reader should make calculations based on the ingredients actually used, using their own preferred method, or consulting with a licensed nutritional expert. This Website is not intended as a source of nutritional or food safety advice, and its readers assume full responsibility for any decisions made regarding their own health and safety. Nutritional information calculated by Nutritionix
Easy to make and very tasty to eat… Thank you!
Bart, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Anxious to try your recipes. Husband recently put on 2000mg. sodium diet. Doesn’t leave much wiggle room in the kitchen.
Hi Catherine,
I hope your husband is adjusting well to his new low salt life. 2000 may seem like a limiting number, but the reality is that 2,3000 is the recommended daily sodium max for all of us. So, he is not too far off the normal limit! (I mention that because hopefully it provides him a bit of perspective that his life isn’t too restricted!) Cheeseburger pasta is one of my favorite meals. It can work with any ground meat. I usually use bison and oftentimes I will use chicken.
The whole trick to this dish – and leading a lifestyle lower in sodium – is to find ingredients like no salt added tomato sauce. Using a standard jar sauce will sabotage your meal before you begin! If I can ever be of support to your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out.