Description
Comfort classics get a delicious upgrade with this homemade hamburger helper, blending hearty ground beef and cheesy pasta in one skillet. Familiar flavors merge into a quick, satisfying meal that brings nostalgic warmth to your dinner table without processed ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef (or ground turkey)
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (or any small pasta)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Dairy:
- 2 cups beef broth (or water)
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 (15 ounces/425 grams) can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for richness)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat a spacious skillet or dutch oven and thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium-high temperature, breaking the meat into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic into the browned meat, sautéing for an additional two minutes to release aromatic flavors.
- Pour in beef broth, whole milk, and diced tomatoes, creating a robust liquid base for the pasta.
- Sprinkle in a harmonious blend of seasonings including salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian herbs to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the skillet, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.
- Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the skillet to allow pasta to cook and absorb the flavorful liquid.
- Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking, continuing until pasta reaches perfect tenderness, typically 12-14 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in sharp cheddar cheese, creating a luxurious and creamy texture.
- Gently stir in sour cream and butter, allowing residual heat to melt ingredients into a silky sauce.
- Let the dish rest for several minutes, allowing sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional cheese or fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of this comfort dish.
- Opt for whole wheat pasta to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the meal.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or gouda for unique flavor variations that keep the recipe exciting.
- Consider using plant-based ground meat alternatives for a vegetarian-friendly adaptation that maintains the same hearty texture and taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg