Venison Hamburger Helper (ground venison recipe) - NINNESCAH HOMESTEAD (2024)

November 14, 2023 by Meg 3 Comments

This easy homemade Hamburger Helper ground venison recipe has deer meat, macaroni, and a flavorful cheesy cheddar sauce! It’s total comfort food that’s easy to make and ready in about 30 minutes.

Why this ground venison recipe works

I'm not sure if it was nostalgia or if it really was that good, but I used to get so excited when I see a pot of creamy pasta and meat simmering on the stovetop. Back then it was always ground beef hamburger helper from a box, but fast forward to now, I'm married to a hunter and instead of freezers full of beef, we have elk, deer and bear.

Sticking with what I know, I just had to recreate an even better Hamburger Helper from scratch! I like this version because you can choose your spices and salt, and know exactly what goes into it. It'san easy ground deer meat recipe you can feel good about serving your family. Andddd working through all of that frozen meat before the next season gets here!

This ground meat recipe is super simple to make with standard pantry ingredients, doesn’t take much longer than the boxed version, and it’s cooked all in one pot. Let's make some budget-friendly hamburger helper copycat recipe!

Ingredients for venison hamburger helper

• ground meat |My favorite wild game meat options for this recipe are deer or elk, but you could use any lean ground meat you have on hand. Yes, even beef!
• tomato paste |It's easy and gives it that tomato favor without adding any chunky bits for the kids to turn their noses up at. You can also use ketchup, just know it will add a little extra sweetness. In a pinch, tomato sauce would also work.
• Seasonings |I feel like the stars of this show are garlic powder, paprika, onion powder and chili powder. It's simple and flavorful, plus you probably already have them in your pantry.
• Elbow macaroni |Yes, you can use whatever pasta you'd like. But, today I'm sticking with the traditional Hamburger Helper-esque elbow pasta.
• Broth |My first choice for this recipe is beef broth or venison broth. It's darker, richer and more flavorful. But, chicken or vegetable broth will work, too.
• Sharp cheddar cheese |The original recipe uses powdered cheese that is reconstituted with milk, but we don't have to do that! Buy a block of cheddar (not a bag of shredded cheddar) and grate it. The cheese will melt into a creamy sauce that is full of flavor.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make venison hamburger helper

Start by browning the venison and onion in an extra large skillet or Dutch oven. Once it's browned, stir in the tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and chili powder.

Add in the broth and bring the mixture to a simmer or low boil. Then stir in the uncooked macaroni.

Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is soaked up. Grate the cheddar while it’s simmering away. Stir in the cheese, and season to taste with salt & black pepper.

See Also

Veggie Comfort Food: 14 Filling, Warming RecipesCandied Jalapeños for Canning {Recipe + Video}Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce {RECIPE}Simple Pizza Sauce Recipe {Freezer Friendly}

Once it's finished cooking, remove the pasta from the stovetop and let it sit for five minutes before serving.

If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. For more delicious recipes from scratch and homesteading tips, follow me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead

Recipe

Substitutions and variations

• Give this ground venison recipe your own twist! Add jalapeños, adjust the seasonings, double or reduce the amount of meat.
• Make it veggie-ful. While browning the meat, add chopped bell peppers, black olives, or even cubed sweet potatoes. During the last five minutes of cooking, stir in fresh spinach leaves.
• If you want to switch it up, change up the cheese! I really like a spicy pepper jack. Or leave this delicious recipe as is, but garnish it with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
• You can use ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken instead of venison if that’s more your thing.
• Stir in ½ cup of sour cream just before serving to make the sauce a little tangier.
• Substituting other noodles, like bowtie or egg noodles, will make the cooking time vary slightly and you may need to adjust the liquid. I've only made it with macaroni, so I can't make a recommendation for this.

What to serve with deer meat hamburger helper

• I think it's pretty stand-alone, but it would go great with a side salad or veggie. Try serving it with one of mySeasonal Salads from the Garden,Strawberry Preserves Salad, or aGreek salad, or simplesliced cucumber salad.
• Sourdough Baguettesare the perfect side dish bread for any pasta recipe.

How to store leftovers

The leftover venison hamburger helper will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days in an airtight container. To reheat leftovers, use a small saucepan on the stove and heat it slowly. Another option is to microwave the leftovers. Just be aware that the rich flavor of the leftover meat will change with reheating, and the noodles will absorb more liquid as it sits in the fridge. This recipe doesn't hold up well to freezing.

Other deer meat recipes you'll love!

One of my favorite ground venison recipes are the venison meatballs that I serve in my Italian Wedding Soup. They can be simmered in the soup, or cooked individually as a main dish. I also use the same meatball recipe to make a venison meatloaf.

For a cozy and fast cold weather meal is venison chili. It requires only about 10 minutes of hands on time, and then you get a delicious chili that is ready in 30 minutes!

My family gets excited whenever I serve Venison Breakfast Casserole. It's full of protein from cheese, eggs, milk and wild turkey sausage. Makes a great leftover, too!

Last but not least, venison goulash is an easy meal that comes together fast and is a favorite around here. Ground meat, pasta, tomato sauce and spices make this a great option for a busy night!

I can't wait for you to make this recipe! If you get time, please leave a comment and rating.

Happy cooking!

-Meg

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with venison hamburger helper: