Vegan Hamburger Helper with Lentils!
 
Did anyone else have Hamburger Helper growing up? We had it for ‘special occasions’ when we had a busy night and needed something quick for dinner. This version of Vegan ‘Hamburger Helper’ is a healthier take on the classic featuring a tomato and cashew cream sauce with lentils. The small lentils used here create a similar texture to a ground meat, while adding fibre and plant-based protein. I used small brown lentils, found at most grocery stores.
The sauce is probably the best part in my opinion. It’s made from a cashew cream base with tomato sauce and nutritional yeast to achieve that cheesy tomato flavour. Serve this sauce over your choice of pasta, I used 454 g of brown rice noodles.
For more vegan pasta recipes, try my Creamy Chipotle Pasta, Vegan Alfredo with Mushrooms, or Rose Pasta with Spinach.
Follow along on Instagram @livesimplyhealthy for more healthy recipes and nutrition tips, or find out more about my personalized nutrition consulting here. Be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make this recipe!
Vegan Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked and drained
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- One 540 ml can of lentils or 2 cups dried lentils cooked and drained
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, minced onion, salt, and pepper. Saute over medium heat until the onion is translucent, about 4-6 minutes. Reduce heat to low and season with dried oregano, basil, chili flakes, and dried garlic. Add the tomato sauce and let simmer while you prepare the cashew sauce.
- To make the cashew sauce, add the cashews, water, and nutritional yeast to a small blender. Blend on high until fully smooth. Add the cashew sauce to the tomato mixture, along with the cooked lentils. Stir until combined. Keep on low until heated through. Serve over your pasta of choice.
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Lorrie says
Just made this and it was amazing! So glad I found this recipe
livesimplyhealthy says
So glad to hear that 🙂
Anonymous says
Just made this since i loved hamburger helper as a kid and this picture looked so good. Im blown away by how delicious it is, thank you so much for giving me a new simple staple meal to make!
livesimplyhealthy says
I’m so glad to hear that! I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Valentine says
is there any good suggestions for replacing the cashews? i’m allergic to treenuts but this looks amazing!
livesimplyhealthy says
Thank you! A previous commenter said they used their own cheese sauce and then added vegan cream cheese to it. I think any type of vegan cream cheese would work great!
Nancy says
Wow this was delish!
livesimplyhealthy says
Thank you!
Kate says
One of the only meals my meat eater husband loves and requests!