Homemade "Hamburger Helper" (Cheeseburger Pasta)
A fabulous DIY hack - a copycat of "hamburger helper" and a VERY popular weeknight dinner. Simple. Homemade. Delicious!
Servings 4
Calories 801kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 2 cups macaroni or any pasta shape you have lying about
- 1 Tbs cornstarch
- 2 tsp prepared chili powder
- 1 ½ tsp seasoned salt
- ½ tsp cracked pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
OPTIONAL
- 1/2 cup processed cheese such as velveeta
Instructions
- Combine all seasonings in a small bowl, and set aside
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Brown beef until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Add the pasta, milk, water and spices and stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil and turn the heat down to simmer.
- Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked to your liking.
- Add the shredded chese and processed cheese and mix thoroughly.
- Devour.
Notes
- Instead of ground beef - do half ground turkey/half beef or all turkey. If you do use just turkey, taste test the seasonings, as it needs a litttttle more to combat the blandness of turkey.
- Use beef broth in place of water - for a super beefed up flavor (see what I did there?)
- Sub some of the liquid for a little tomato sauce and the seasonings (keep the cornstarch) for italian seasoning instead - for a skillet lasagna kind of vibe.
- Use any kind of short/small pasta - fettuccine and spaghetti don't work terribly well in this.
Nutrition
Calories: 801kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 1601mg | Potassium: 758mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1402IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 715mg | Iron: 4mg